One of the best ways to stay on top of the latest changes and features coming to Windows is to join Microsoft’s Windows Insider Program. This program allows you to choose between a few different channels of updates, giving you access to a slew of new options before they hit the main consumer branch of the popular operating system.
How to join the Windows Insider Program
To join the Windows Insider Program, you’ll need to have an activated copy of Windows 11 or Windows 10. Once your copy is activated, or if you already have one, head to Microsoft’s website and click the Register button on the web page to register for the Windows Insider Program.
After you have registered, return to your desktop and navigate to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program.
You’ll have a selection of a few different things to go through. Click Get Started and then link your Microsoft account if it asks you to. When your account is linked, find the Insider channel that you would like to join and select it. There are three main channels you can choose from. The Dev Channel has the newest features. It’s also the buggiest option, which means you should only accept it if you don’t mind bugs and other issues, and if you’re highly technical and comfortable troubleshooting issues with your PC.
The Beta Channel is the second buggiest channel. It’s the best for early adopters, Microsoft says, and it is a great place to be if you want a more reliable build but still want to experience the features before the majority of the public.
Finally, the Release Preview Channel is as close as you’re going to get to the main consumer branch for Windows. This is the least buggy option and is great for those who want to experience the upcoming features without having to do a lot of troubleshooting. For most people, I recommend the Release Preview Channel, as it is the least likely to mess anything up on your system. However, keep in mind that all of these channels are running early adoption versions of the OS update, so there may still be issues.
Who should join?
The Windows Insider Program is a great way to take advantage of the latest that Microsoft has to offer, like Notepad’s new spellcheck feature. It’s especially useful right now if you’re interested in seeing a lot of the new AI features that Microsoft is introducing or if you just like having the most up-to-date version of your computer’s operating system without waiting for the main consumer branch to be upgraded.
The Windows Insider Program does require some technical knowledge, so you should only register and install Insider previews if you are comfortable working within your PC’s operating system.
How to leave the Windows Insider Program
If you find yourself wanting to leave the Windows Insider Program, you can do so. However, depending on which channel you’ve selected, you may need to jump through a few extra hoops.
To leave the program, simply navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program > Stop Insider Preview Builds. This will show you a number of options.
If you’re in the Beta or Release Preview channel, then you can turn off updates to stop getting preview builds when the next major Windows release becomes available. If you’re in the Dev Channel, you’ll need to follow Microsoft’s instructions to perform a clean installation of Windows entirely. This will help ensure you remove any buggy code that the dev channel might have installed on your system so that your PC runs smoothly once you leave the Insider Program.