- Microsoft announces big changes coming to the Windows Insider Program.
- The program now includes a fourth channel known as Canary.
- The new channel will includes major new features and changes to the operating system.
- Presumably, the company will use the Canary Channel to test changes for Windows 12.
Following reports that Microsoft and Intel were collaborating on Windows 12, the software behemoth revealed Canary, a fourth channel to the Windows Insider Program, which will allow users to see significant new features that will be included in the operating system. The new Canary Channel will provide testers early access to significant changes, even though the business has long used Insiders to test new features and updates.
The business claims that the new Canary Channel will provide sneak peeks of changes that will take longer to reach customers, such as kernel updates and numerous other noteworthy enhancements. (This might indicate that the software behemoth is talking about Windows 12.)
With the drawback of being even less stable, the builds in the Canary Channel are anticipated to be released more frequently than those in the Dev Channel. Furthermore, these flights will be shipped to devices that are enrolled in the channel with little validation or verification.
The business goes on to claim that the Canary builds will include numerous bugs that cause the installation to fail and, in certain situations, force users to reinstall the operating system. Because of these factors, the company will only suggest Canary builds to individuals who are extremely technical.
The corporation intends to continue providing posts on the official blog with some information, even though there won’t be much about the changes in the new channel.
The Dev Channel was previously used to preview significant upcoming operating system improvements, but now that a new channel has been added, it will also be used to test the most recent versions of Windows 11.
In order to continue receiving builds in the 25xxx branch, all devices that are enrolled in the Dev Channel will be immediately moved to the Canary Channel.
The following channels are now available for Windows flight previews:
-
Canary:
includes previews for the latest platform changes early in the development cycle. These builds can be unstable and are released with limited to no documentation, and they are only recommended for highly technical users. -
Dev:
includes previews of new features and changes coming to Windows 11. There will come some rough edges and low stability. Microsoft recommends these builds for enthusiasts. -
Beta:
includes more validation and stable new features and changes coming to Windows 11. The company recommends this channel for early adopters. -
Release Preview:
includes previews of fixes and certain key features for Windows 11 (and 10). In addition, users will get optional access to the next version of Windows before it s generally available to everyone. This channel is also recommended for commercial users.
Because the builds in the Dev Channel are in the 23xxx branch and those in the Canary Channel are on the 25xxx branch, you will need to do a clean installation of the operating system if you want to be stable in the Dev Channel.
For early access to new features, Microsoft advises moving to the Dev Channel if your device is in the Beta Channel (22xxx branch).
According to previous reports, the software giant has reverted to a three-year release cycle for new versions of Windows, which means that Windows 12 will be released sometime in 2024. The company is also releasing builds with the 25xxx designation number, suggesting that it intends to work on and get ready for future operating system releases in the new Canary Channel.