Windows · System
Get early preview Windows builds
Lets you enroll this PC in the Windows Insider Program to receive pre-release Windows builds ahead of general availability, choosing a channel that matches your appetite for new features versus stability.
How to open Windows Insider Program
- Open Settings → Windows Update → Windows Insider Program
- Click 'Get started' and link a Microsoft account
- Choose a channel: Canary, Dev, Beta, or Release Preview
- Restart and check Windows Update to receive the first preview build
What you should know
- Link a Microsoft account to join the Insider Program
- Choose a channel: Canary, Dev, Beta, or Release Preview
- Receive preview builds with new features before public release
- Leave the Insider Program to return to standard release builds
Insider builds, especially Dev and Canary channels, can be unstable and are not recommended for primary production machines; use a secondary or test device when possible.
Why it matters
The Windows Insider Program gives enthusiasts, developers, and IT professionals early access to upcoming Windows features and changes, which is valuable for testing compatibility with existing software or simply exploring what's coming next. Each channel represents a different point on the stability-versus-freshness spectrum, from the highly experimental Canary channel to the near-final Release Preview channel that closely mirrors what will ship publicly. Because preview builds can contain bugs, crashes, or unfinished features, understanding the channel differences prevents accidentally destabilizing an important daily-use PC.
Best practices
- Use the Release Preview channel if you want early access with minimal instability risk
- Avoid enrolling your primary work PC in the Dev or Canary channels
- Back up important data before joining any Insider channel, since preview builds carry higher risk of issues
- Leave the Insider Program well before a stable release cycle if you want to return to fully supported builds
Common problems and fixes
- PC becomes unstable after joining an Insider channel
- Switch to a more stable channel like Release Preview, or leave the Insider Program and reset to the current public release.
- Can't find the option to leave the program
- Use the 'Stop getting preview builds' option on this settings page, noting that a full return to the public release may require a clean install in some cases.
- Apps or drivers stop working after a preview build update
- Check for updated drivers or app versions compatible with the preview build, or roll back to a previous build via Recovery options.
Tips and tricks
- Use a virtual machine or secondary PC to try Dev or Canary builds risk-free
- Submit feedback through the Feedback Hub while testing preview builds to help shape the final release
Frequently asked questions
Is the Windows Insider Program free?
Yes, it's free to join with any Microsoft account.
Can I switch between channels?
Yes, though moving to a less experimental channel sometimes requires waiting for that channel's build to catch up or performing a clean install.
Will I always get updates before everyone else?
Only while enrolled and depending on channel; Release Preview builds are closest to what ships to the general public shortly after.
Related settings
- Windows UpdateWindows Update allows you to download and install the latest security patches, feature updates, and performance improvements. Keeping your system updated helps protect against vulnerabilities and ensures optimal performance.
- Update HistoryShows a chronological list of every update installed on this PC, including quality updates, feature updates, and driver updates, with the ability to uninstall problematic recent updates.
- Feedback HubOpens the Feedback Hub app, which lets you report bugs, log performance problems with diagnostic traces, and upvote or suggest new features that Microsoft's Windows engineering teams review.
More System guides for Windows
- Power & SleepPower & Sleep settings let you control when your screen turns off and when your device goes to sleep while idle. Adjusting these settings can help balance battery life and performance.
- Default AppsDefault Apps settings let you choose which application opens specific file types and links by default, such as your browser, email client, photo viewer, or music player.
- Delivery OptimizationConfigures Delivery Optimization, which lets your PC download Windows Update and app files from other PCs on your network or the internet in addition to Microsoft's servers, and optionally share your own downloaded updates with others.
- Active HoursLets you define a time window during which Windows will avoid automatically restarting the PC to install updates, ensuring you're not interrupted during typical working or usage hours.
- Pause UpdatesLets you temporarily halt the download and installation of Windows updates for a set period, useful when you need a stable, unchanged system for a presentation, event, or compatibility testing.
- Optional Updates & Driver UpdatesLists optional updates not automatically installed, including driver updates from hardware manufacturers, feature previews, and monthly non-security quality updates you can choose to install manually.