How to install Windows 11 Insider Preview builds

• To enroll and install Windows 11 preview builds, open Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program, click “Get started,” link your account, select the “Canary,” “Dev,” “Beta,” or “Release Preview” channel, restart, and check for updates to download the latest Insider Preview build.
• To install a Windows 11 Insider Preview on Windows 10, open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program, click “Get started,” link your account, select the “Dev” or “Canary” channel, restart, and check for updates to download the latest build.
• Alternatively, you can install or upgrade a device to the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview build by downloading the ISO file.
• While the enrollment process remains the same as before, the program now offers two main channels, including Experimental and Beta.

If you want to install Insider Preview builds of Windows 11, you have at least two options, and in this guide, I’ll show you how to get started on devices already running Windows 11 or even Windows 10. Although Microsoft is updating the Windows Insider Program with new channel experiences and feature management options, the enrollment process currently still shows the legacy Canary, Dev, Beta, and Release Preview channels.

Under the new approach, the “Experimental” experience effectively replaces the Canary and Dev channels and includes the latest platform changes, features, and experiments that Microsoft is actively developing. These previews can be unstable and may include bugs, compatibility issues, and unfinished features intended for enthusiasts and technical users.

The “Beta” experience, as the legacy “Beta Channel,” continues to provide a more stable preview experience with upcoming features enabled by default. The company is also introducing a new “Feature Flags” page that allows users in the Experimental experience to enable or disable announced features directly in Settings, without third-party tools like ViveTool.

In addition, Microsoft is changing how preview builds are tied to Windows versions. After selecting a channel, you can choose the version you want to test from the “Advanced Options” section, such as 25H2 or 26H1, as well as future “Feature Platforms” still under development.

Finally, the “Release Preview” experience remains available for users who want nearly final builds of upcoming Windows 11 releases before public rollout, offering the most stable Insider experience with early access to new features, fixes, and quality improvements.

Related

How to unenroll your PC from Windows 11 Insider Program

In this guide, I’ll walk you through enrolling a device and installing the latest Windows 11 preview build.

• Install Windows 11 Insider Preview build from Windows Update
• Install Insider Preview build of Windows 11 from ISO

Install Windows 11 Insider Preview build from Windows Update

In the Windows Insider Program, you can enroll any computer that uses Windows 11. However, if you have a Windows 10 computer, the device must meet the minimum hardware requirements.

From Windows 11 to 11 Insider

To enroll and install preview builds of Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Windows Update.

3. Click the Windows Insider Program tab.

   

4. Click the Get started button.

   

5. Click the “Link an account” button.

   

6. Sign in with your Microsoft account credentials.

7. Click the Continue button.

8. Under the “Pick your Insider settings” section, select the “Release Preview” channel option.

   Quick note: You can also choose the “Dev Channel” option, but the previews in this branch are not as stable as the ones in the Release Preview Channel.

9. Click the Continue button.

   

10. Click the Continue button to agree to the terms and conditions.

11. Click the Restart button.

12. Open Settings after the reboot.

13. Click on Windows Update.

14. Click the “Check for updates” button.

    

15. Click the Restart now button.

Once you complete the steps, the latest preview of the operating system available through your channel will be installed on your computer, giving you access to experimental and upcoming features.

If a new build becomes available, it’ll be downloaded and installed automatically. However, you can always force the update from Settings > Windows Update and click the “Check for Update” button.

From Windows 10 to 11 Insider

To enroll and install preview builds of Windows 11 on a Windows 10 installation, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Update & Security.

3. Click on Windows Insider Program.

4. Click the Get started button.

   

5. Click the “Link an account” option.

   

6. Sign in with your Microsoft account.

7. Under the “Pick your Insider settings” section, select the “Dev Channel” or “Canary Channel” option.

   Quick note: The latest Windows 11 preview build will only download if your computer meets the system requirements.

   

8. Click the Confirm button

9. Click the Restart button.

10. Open Settings after the restart.

11. Click on Update & Security.

12. Click on Windows Update.

13. Click the “Check for updates” button.

    

14. Click the “Download & install” button (if applicable).

15. Click the Restart button.

After you complete the steps, the computer will be upgraded to the latest Windows 11 preview from the specified channel.

Install Insider Preview build of Windows 11 from ISO

You can also perform a clean install or upgrade to a new Windows 11 Insider build using an ISO file. This process will automatically enroll the computer in the Windows Insider Program.

To install a Windows 11 Insider Preview build from an ISO, follow these steps:

1. Download the latest Windows 11 Insider build ISO.

   Quick tip: You can also download the ISO from the UUP Dump website.

2. Right-click the ISO file, then select Mount.

   

3. Select the virtual drive from the left navigation pane.

4. Double-click the Setup file to begin installing the operating system.

   

5. (Optional) Click the “Change how Windows Setup downloads updates” option.

   

6. Select the “Not right now” option.

   

7. Click the Next button.

8. Click the Accept button to agree to the terms.

9. Click the “Install” button to upgrade or the “Change what to keep” option and select the Nothing option to perform a clean installation.

   

10. Choose your region setting on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE) after the installation.

    Quick note: Microsoft is always making changes and testing new ways to complete the initial setup. For this reason, some of the following steps may appear in a different order, and you may encounter additional screens.

    

11. Click the Yes button.

12. Select your keyboard layout setting.

    

13. Click the Yes button.

14. Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.

15. The computer will automatically connect to the network using an Ethernet connection. You must set up the connection manually on a wireless connection (a security key may be required).

16. (Optional) Confirm a name for the computer.

    

    Quick note: This is an optional step, but it’s highly recommended to set a name to make it easier to identify the device in the network, on your Microsoft account, and when restoring your computer from backup. Also, after completing this step, the setup will restart to apply the new name, but it’ll start where you left off to continue with the settings.

17. Click the Next button. (The device will restart automatically.)

18. Select the “Set up for personal use” option for Windows 11 Pro. This option is not available for the “Home” edition.

    

    Quick tip: Use the “Set up for work or school” option to skip the Microsoft account and create a local account.

19. Click the Next button.

20. Click the Sign in button.

21. Confirm your Microsoft account email to create a Windows 11 account.

    

22. Click the Next button.

23. Confirm your Microsoft account password.

24. Click the Next button.

25. Click the Create PIN button.

26. Create a new four-digit Windows Hello PIN.

    

27. Click the OK button.

28. Turn on or off the toggle switch for each privacy setting to confirm the one that best suits your situation.

29. Click the Next button.

30. Click the Next button again.

31. Click the Accept button.

    

32. Click the More options setting.

    

    Quick tip: You can also click the “Restore from this PC” button to restore your files, apps, settings, and credentials from the system backup available in your OneDrive account. You can learn more about the Windows Backup app in this guide.

33. Click the “Set up as a new PC” option.

    

34. Click the “Set up as a new PC” option again.

35. (Optional) On the “Let’s customize your experience” page, select one or more ways you plan to use the device to allow the operating system to suggest tools and service customization during this experience.

    

36. Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.

37. (Optional) Use the code to link your Android phone or click the Skip option.

38. (Optional) Use the code to download the OneDrive app on your phone or click the Skip option.

39. Click the “Not now” button if you will be using a browser other than Microsoft Edge.

    

Although the installation process will be virtually the same on every release, the out-of-box experience (OOBE) may be slightly different depending on changes the Windows teams may implement.

While the setup using a preview build of Windows 11 should enroll the device automatically, it’s also a good idea to check that the device is actually enrolled in Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program.

If you prefer to perform a clean installation, the process is the same as installing the official stable version of the operating system from a USB.

FAQ about installing Insider Preview builds of Windows 11

Here’s a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers about installing preview builds of Windows 11 from the Windows Insider Program.

Is it safe to install Windows 11 Insider Previews?

Yes, it’s safe to install Windows 11 preview builds, but you should know a few things. These preview builds are not complete, and they’re still under development, so bugs and errors are expected. You should never install an Insider Preview as your primary operating system. Also, creating a backup is recommended in case you need to roll back to the previous version.

Can I switch from Insider builds to the stable channel of Windows 11?

Yes, as part of the new Insider program, you can unenroll your device at any time. When you select the option, the system will perform an in-place upgrade to the current stable version, preserving your apps, settings, and data.

How do I stop getting Windows 11 Insider Previews?

To stop receiving Windows 11 insider builds, open Settings > Windows update > Windows Insider Program, and turn on the “Unenroll device” toggle switch. When you select the option, the system will perform an in-place upgrade to the current stable version, preserving your apps, settings, and data.

Do I need to activate Windows 11 to use Insider Previews?

Yes, you need to activate any installation of Windows 11, including those from the Windows Insider Program. If you enroll a device running Windows 11 or 10, the system will use the existing license to activate the installation. Otherwise, you will need to purchase a product key to activate the setup. If you don’t activate the installation, you may still be able to use the operating system, but with limited functionalities.

How do I install new Windows 11 Insider Previews?

Once you enroll the device in the Windows Insider Program, new builds will download and install automatically through the “Windows Update” settings. You can always force the upgrade from Settings > Windows Update, and then click the “Check for updates” button and click the “Download & install” button (if applicable).

Update May 28, 2026: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.