Hello Windows Insiders,
Last month, Pavan articulated our dedication to enhancing the quality of Windows, emphasizing performance, reliability, and craftsmanship. This commitment includes efforts to streamline the Windows Insider Program, making it simpler and more transparent. Today, we are excited to unveil the changes that will shape your Insider experience.
In recent months, we have engaged with the Windows Insider community through various channels: our inaugural in-person meetup, Feedback Hub, social media, and numerous one-on-one conversations. Two key insights emerged from these interactions:
- The existing channel structure has become convoluted, leaving many unsure about which channel to select based on their desired experience.
- Many users have expressed frustration when they read about a new feature in our blog, update their PC, and find that it is not available to them. This gradual rollout process has been a significant source of discontent.
To address these concerns, we are implementing the following changes:
Clearer channel definitions
To enhance your Insider experience, we are consolidating our channels into two primary options, with the added flexibility to choose specific Windows core versions. The new channels are:
- Experimental: This channel replaces the previous Dev and Canary channels. The name reflects its purpose: you will gain early access to features that are still under active development, with the understanding that what you see may change, be delayed, or not be released at all. This channel allows you to contribute feedback on features in their early stages.
- Beta: This channel refreshes the previous Beta Channel and showcases features we plan to ship in the near future. Notably, we are discontinuing gradual feature rollouts in Beta. When a feature is announced in a Beta update and you install that update, you will have access to that feature. While minor variations may occur as we test different aspects, the core feature will always be available on your device.
If you are uncertain about which channel to choose, consider that Experimental is where new features typically debut, allowing your feedback to directly influence development. Conversely, Beta is ideal for those seeking a more stable experience with features closer to release.
For most Insiders, selecting either the Beta or Experimental channel will suffice. However, for those desiring more control, we are introducing an advanced option to select your Windows core version compatible with your hardware. Most users will see options for 25H2 or 26H1 builds.
The Experimental channel will also feature a Future Platforms option, providing our earliest preview builds for Windows, which are not aligned with any retail version. This option caters to users eager to be at the forefront of platform development. Insiders seeking early access to features should remain on a version aligned with a retail build.
Release Preview will continue to serve as an advanced option for commercial customers and Insiders who wish to access production builds shortly before broad release. To select Release Preview, you will need to enable it in the ‘Advanced Options,’ though the content remains unchanged. We are actively engaging with our commercial Insiders to enhance this experience and welcome your feedback.
Providing more control over gradual rollouts
A frequent inquiry from Insiders is, “Why don’t I have access to a feature that’s been announced in a WIP blog?” This is often due to a technology known as Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR), which gradually introduces new features to ensure quality before a wider release. While this approach is standard in the industry, it can lead to unpredictability and disappointment for those eager to experience new features.
To remedy this, in addition to ceasing gradual rollouts in Beta, Insiders in the Experimental channel will gain the ability to enable or disable specific features through the new Feature flags page in the Windows Insider Program settings. Initially, Feature flags will be available for visible new features announced in WIP, while less visible changes, such as bug fixes, may not be included. We encourage your feedback on the types of new features you would like to see made available through Feature flags as we roll out this functionality.
Easier movement between channels and leaving WIP
Currently, switching between channels or leaving the Windows Insider Program can necessitate wiping your device and performing a clean install of Windows, which poses a barrier for potential participants and existing Insiders alike.
To facilitate a more seamless experience, we are implementing changes that will allow Insider builds to utilize an in-place upgrade (IPU) for transitioning between versions. This will enable most Insiders to move between Experimental, Beta, and Release Preview on the same Windows core version or exit the program without a clean install. While an IPU may take slightly longer than a standard update, it preserves your apps, settings, and data.
However, since Experimental Future Platforms represents our earliest preview build and does not correspond to a retail production build, transitioning to a different channel or exiting the WIP program will still require a clean install.
Additionally, we have re-engineered the Windows Insider Program settings page for improved performance, featuring a cleaner layout designed to clarify your options with fewer reboots and steps.
What does this mean for you?
We are eager to begin rolling out these changes in the coming weeks, starting with you, our Insiders. Upon release, all Insiders (excluding Release Preview) will be transitioned to either the new Beta or Experimental channel. This transition will only affect your channel membership, not your Windows version. For the majority of Insiders currently in the Beta and Dev channels, the transition will occur as follows:
- Beta Channel > Beta
- Dev Channel > Experimental
Insiders currently in the Canary Channel will also be moved to the Experimental channel, based on specific builds related to your Windows core version. The transitions will be as follows:
- Canary Channel 29500 series builds > Experimental (Future Platforms)
- Canary Channel 28000 series builds > Experimental (26H1)
Insiders transitioning from the Canary Channel or those who specifically select these Windows core versions under Advanced options should look for the corresponding version release notes once the changes are implemented.
Commercial customers enrolled in the Windows Insider Program for Business can expect to see the same changes and improvements outlined above, while those in the Windows Insider Program for Windows Server will experience no alterations.
We are here because of the passionate feedback from our community, and these changes represent just the beginning. As previously announced, we will continue our Windows Insider meetup series in the coming months. You can also engage with us directly through our social media channels.
Alec and the Windows Insider team
X: Windows Insider Program
Alec: @AlecOot
