Xbox One X with controller group

Microsoft opens up Xbox One feature update testing to everyone

It's now easier to test new Xbox features through the Insider program.

Microsoft is introducing changes to its Xbox Insider Program to make easier for people to test upcoming features and submit feedback. Although, previously, it was possible to join the program, previews for a new system update would only arrive just before it became broadly available.

The new changes that are now being introduced simplifies groups and allows people to easily gain access to each ring, thus giving users even earlier access to Xbox Insider Preview builds.

In order to make things a bit less confusing, Microsoft is changing the name scheme of the four available rings you’ll be progressing through. The Alpha and Beta rings will remain with the same names, but Ring 3 and Ring 4 have now been renamed to Delta and Omega respectively. So, now the name scheme looks like this: Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omega.

Omega is the new default ring that anyone will be included when signing up for the Xbox Insider Program without invitation, and like previously, new flights are only available just before everyone gets the update.

However, if you submit enough feedback (XP levels), then you’ll be offered to jump to the Delta ring which will get you access to new feature even earlier.

Then if you continue providing feedback and after three months of activity, then you’ll be able to Beta ring.

Although with the new changes in place to make it easier to people to test an upcoming Xbox One dashboard update, the Alpha ring will remain invite-only to receive previews a lot earlier. However, every once in a while, Microsoft will send invites to Beta and Delta users to join the Alpha ring.

Microsoft recently unveiled a number of significant changes to the Xbox dashboard that is currently testing with Insiders in the Alpha ring, and I’s planning to rollout to participants in the Beta ring sometime this month.

Alongside the changes to Xbox Insider program, the software giant is working with games studios to allow Insiders to access games on development for testing purposes.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.