Microsoft reopens Windows 10 Beta channel to "test new features"
Microsoft has reopened the Windows 10 Beta channel this week to test new features before they roll out to current stable versions of Windows 10.
The move comes as a surprise to many. Microsoft released the last build to the Windows 10 Beta channel in June 2021. Since then, the company released only Release Preview builds to Insiders on Windows 10 devices.
Microsoft published a blog post to inform beta users about the upcoming change. According to Microsoft, the Beta channel is reopened to "try out new features for Windows 10, version 22H2".
Microsoft released new features sporadically to Windows 10 ever since it focused development on Windows 11. One of these features reduced the size of Windows updates significantly, another brought content to the lock screen and desktop, and a third advertised the benefits of using a Microsoft account in Settings.
The new features that Microsoft plans to integrate in Windows 10 may require more testing. The release to the beta channel gives Microsoft more time to collect Telemetry and fix bugs or issues that are uncovered from the data.
Microsoft does not reveal any of the features that it plans to introduce to Windows 10. Judging from past releases, these are likely features that are already available on Windows 11 or also planned for the operating system. Another possibility is the testing of features that get customers to upgrade their devices to Windows 11.
Windows 10 support ends in October 2025 officially. Customers may extend support by up to three years through Microsoft's Extended Security Updates program for Windows 10 for a price, however.
The following rules apply:
- The Windows 10 system is not automatically upgraded to Windows 11 when the Beta channel is joined.
- If the PC meets Windows 11's system requirements, it will be upgraded to Windows 11 if the admin switches to the Dev or Canary channel.
- Rollback to Windows 10 is then allowed for a "small window" before this option is blocked. The only way to go back then is to clean install Windows 10 on the device.
Many of the features that Microsoft plans to test in the Beta channel will roll out gradually. Some of these features may not get released at all, as Microsoft is trying "out different concepts".
The first beta build will be released in the coming weeks according to Microsoft.
Joining the Windows 10 Beta channel
Note: Insider builds are released for testing purposes. It is best to run these in virtual machines or separate devices designed for testing.
- Open Start and then the Settings app (or press Windows-I on the keyboard).
- Go to Update & Security > Windows Insider Program.
- Click on the current Insider channel selection.
- Select Beta Channel (Recommended).
Closing Words
Microsoft has not revealed any feature that it plans to test. The first beta build release should be a good indicator what users can expect here. Cautious users may want to wait for the official release announcement before making a decision to join the beta channel.
What is your take on the reopening of the Beta channel?
I thought MS was focusing on ruining windows 11.. they decided to enshitify windows 10 one last time. I have no interest in ms adding “features” to windows 10. They really just need to put it on end of support already but keep the security patches coming for the next 10 years.
Got to make it unusable so people will be forced to downgrade to 11.
Are they going to keep Windows 10 longer? Is Microsoft governed by Google Gemini, or is it run by humans? It’s as if everyone who works there is incompetent. They appear to be just good at three things.
1. Creating new worthless insider channels.
2. Taking a way advanced features while destroying their native software with inferior crap like webview.
3. Adding black patterns, adware and spyware into their own products.
We all know these new features are going to be nothing but adware for their crappy online service.
@ScrewedByMicrosoft
Bingo!!
The disease otherwise known as webview has become more prevalent recently and is infecting other software, even freeware. ImageGlass and Image Uploader come to mind just at the top of my head.
most likely they going to add more AI telemetry to Windows 10 for the people who want to stay with Win 10..
I want to upgrade to W11, but am too lazy. I thought W10 was the last version ever and now all this work again. I have a zillion bookmarks about W11 but I will still have it to do myself.
Well I can ask on several forums. MS= The Gift That Never Stops Giving.
I want to laugh so strong that Nadella could hear me, however I only have to say please fix W11 taskbar and startup menu asap. Thanks for the article! :]
This is very likely to test new and terrible things they have since added to windows 11 such as Ads, AI, Telemetry and various other filth which will just make people more inclined to move to windows 11 as some sort of “may as well” brain fart moment. It’s also very likely to be more splash trash which will be nagging you to move to windows 11 along with their great new features that makes Windows 11 better than Windows 10 today. [VOMIT!]
If they extent the expiration date then they will indeed use this opportunity to add some more rubbish.
Hopefully they extend behind the expiration date next year. Windows 10 is the last version of Windows I will use..after that it will be Linux full time.