Microsoft suddenly closes Beta Channel for Windows 10

• Microsoft has closed the Beta Channel for Windows 10 releases.
• The company will switch the remaining devices from the Beta to the Release Preview Channel.

UPDATED 11/18/24: Microsoft will no longer offer preview builds in the Beta Channel for Windows 10 devices and will transition the remaining computers to the Release Preview Channel. The news came less than a year after the company reactivated the channel without explanation.

“This will be the last time we release a Windows 10 build to the Beta Channel as we will be shutting down the Beta Channel for Windows 10,” Microsoft officials said in the most recent release of the operating system in the Windows Insider Program.

It’s important to note that Windows 10 is currently in maintenance mode and will retire on October 14, 2025. As a result, it’s also expected that the company will also close the Release Preview Channel sometime in the coming months.

As a result of this news, the instructions outlined below AND information no longer apply since you can only download and install preview builds through the Release Preview Channel.

Microsoft suddenly reactivated the Beta Channel for Windows 10 22H2 to test upcoming new features, and in this guide, I will outline the steps to enroll your computer in the Windows Insider Channel.

Although support for Windows 10 is scheduled to end on October 14, 2025, the company has previously said that it was planning to take a different approach to continue updating the operating system. Soon after, we’ve seen a number of changes, including the integration of Copilot AI. However, it’s unclear what new features and improvements Insiders will receive this time, but whatever arrives in the Windows Insider Channel will not be a new version since the software giant has already said that the new changes will be part of version 22H2.

In this guide, I will explain the steps to enroll your computer in the Beta Channel and, if you’re already in the Release Preview Channel, outline the steps to switch channels without reinstallation.

Enroll PC in the Beta Channel for Windows 10

To enroll your computer running Windows 10 into the Beta Channel, use these steps:

1. Open Settings on Windows 10.

2. Click on Updates & security.

3. Click on Windows Update.

4. (Optional) Turn on the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle switch.

   

5. Click on Windows Insider Program.

6. Click the Get started button.

   

7. Click the “Link an account” option.

   

8. Sign in with your Microsoft account.

9. Choose the Beta Channel option.

10. Click the Confirm button.

11. Click the Restart button.

Once you complete the steps, as soon as a new preview of the operating system with new features is available, it will download automatically to your computer.

You can always check for new preview builds manually from Settings > Update & security > Windows Update and click the “Check for updates” button.

If you had a device previously enrolled in the Release Preview Channel, from Settings > Update & security > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program, under the “Pick your Insider settings” section, click on the current setting and choose the “Beta Channel.”

In the case that you plan to enroll your computer in the Beta Channel, Microsoft notes that this configuration won’t upgrade your computer automatically to Windows 11. However, if you pick the Dev or Canary Channel, then the device will be upgraded to Windows 11.

Although Microsoft wants users to upgrade to Windows 11, it also understands that some users will try to hold on to Windows 10 as long as possible, so the company describes this move as a way to give users the most value.

Also, remember that for the first time, Microsoft plans to offer a paid subscription to allow Windows 10 users to keep getting security updates for up to three years after the support official ends in 2025. The pricing of the subscription hasn’t been revealed, but for businesses, it will cost $61 per month per device, $122 during the second year, and $244 for the third year.

If you’re ready to make the leap, you can upgrade from Windows 10 to 11 right now in a number of ways, but only if your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements. However, if your computer doesn’t meet the minimum requirements, it’s still possible to upgrade unsupported hardware to Windows 11 in multiple ways.

Update November 18, 2024: This page has been updated to ensure accuracy and include the latest information.