- Microsoft will ship more experimental features to Windows 11 testers.
- These features may never ship in future releases of Windows 11.
- Windows Insider Program getting some important changes.
Microsoft plans to ship more experimental features and improvements that may never make it to a newer release of Windows 11. As part of the changes coming to the Windows Insider Program in 2022, the company explains that the team will rely even more on the Dev Channel to “incubate new ideas, work on long-lead items, and control the states of individual features.”
However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that these features will make it to the final version. “In some cases, these concepts will never ship, but by experimenting more, we can better refine experiences and deliver solutions in Windows that truly empower our customers to achieve more,” the company says.
Furthermore, there will be more A/B testing for experimental features with the difference that this time around, there could be variations of the features that the company won’t fully document.
Microsoft has also acknowledged that some technical users have discovered many features that were intentionally disabled in previous flights. According to the company, this is by design, and it explains that most of the time won’t share any more details as it will only communicate features that were purposefully enabled.
Windows Insider Program changes for 2022
As part of the Windows Insider Program channels changes, moving the Dev Channel will be exclusively to experiment with new features, ideas, and concepts that may or may not ship in the next release of Windows 11.
The Beta Channel will be the place that will include the features and improvements that are likely to be included in the next feature update. According to the company, this also means that in many cases, if the feature is ready, it may appear in the Beta Channel first and not necessary in the Dev Channel.
Finally, the Release Preview Channel would now be the best option to preview the features planned for the next version of Windows 11.
Furthermore, Microsoft says it will deliver “features and experiences in builds from the Dev and Beta Channels by releasing Feature, Web, and Online Service Experience Packs” in addition to preview builds.
Microsoft is now gearing up to release more experimental features in the coming weeks. Since they could be rough, the company advises users to switch from Dev to Beta Channel to avoid a negative experience, from Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program and using the “Choose your Insider settings” option.
In addition to these changes, the Windows Insider Program is also getting a new icon to better represent the community of people helping to shape the feature of Windows.
The new icon will soon appear in the Windows Insider Program settings and other parts of the community.
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 15 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 21 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. Email him at [email protected].