How to Join the Windows Insider Program and Be the First to Try New Features
One of the best ways to stay up to date with the latest changes and features in Windows is to join the Microsoft Windows Insider program. This program allows you to choose between several different update channels, giving you access to a variety 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 will need an activated copy of Windows 11 or Windows 10. Once your copy is activated, or if you already have one, go to the Microsoft website and click the “Sign Up” button on the web page to sign up in the Windows Insider Program.
Once registered, return to your desktop and select Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program .
You will have a choice of several different things to go through. Click Get Started and then link your Microsoft account if asked. Once your account is linked, find the Insider channel you want to join and select it. You can choose from three main channels. Dev channel has the latest features. This is also the option with the most bugs, which means you should only go for it if you don’t mind bugs and other problems, and if you are technically savvy and can easily troubleshoot problems with your computer.
The beta channel is the second most error-prone channel. It’s the best option for early adopters, Microsoft says, and it’s a great place to go if you want a more robust build but still want to experience its features in front of the majority of the public.
Finally, the Release Preview channel is as close to the main Windows consumer branch as possible. This is the least buggy option and is great for those who want to try out new features without having to resort to troubleshooting. For most people, I recommend the Release Preview channel as it is least likely to mess up anything on your system. However, keep in mind that all of these channels are using early versions of the OS update, so problems may arise.
Who should join?
The Windows Insider program is a great way to take advantage of the latest developments from Microsoft, such as the new spell check feature in Notepad . This is especially useful right now if you want to see the many new AI features that Microsoft is introducing, or if you just like to have the latest version of your computer’s operating system without waiting for the main consumer branch to be upgraded.
The Windows Insider program requires some technical knowledge, so you should only sign up for and install preview versions of Insider if you are comfortable with your PC’s operating system.
How to sign out of the Windows Insider Program
If you want to leave the Windows Insider Program, you can do so. However, depending on which channel you choose, you may have to jump through a few additional hoops.
To exit the program, simply go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program > Stop Insider Preview Builds . This will show you several options.
If you’re in a beta or release preview channel, you can turn off updates so that you stop receiving preview builds when the next major release of Windows becomes available. If you’re in the development channel, you’ll need to follow Microsoft’s instructions to do a complete clean install of Windows . This will help you remove any buggy code that the Dev channel may have installed on your system so that your computer runs smoothly after exiting the Insider program.