The Windows Insider Program from Microsoft allows you to test new updates and features before they are available to the general public. Basically, it’s about enrolling the device in Microsoft’s beta testing program. As an Insider, you will receive updated versions of Windows products before they are officially released.
There are three different channels available: Dev, Beta Y Release Preview. The channel you choose should be based on your technical knowledge and experience. The program also offers a comment center to report problems or praise new developments. The hub gives you access to a whole community of other Insiders that you can collaborate with.
If you are ready to start testing the new builds, here we explain How to join the Windows Insider Program on a Windows 11 PC.
What is the Windows Insider Program?
The Insider Program is a community of Microsoft enthusiasts, developers, and IT administrators who want the latest version (or build) of Windows with the latest updates and features. Joining the program is free, and the number of new versions you get is based on your chosen channel.
The internal versions are not as stable as the release versions of Windows that are made available to the public. As a precaution, it is best to run the new versions on a secondary machine or on a virtual machine (VM). Don’t run Insider builds on your main production rig unless you know what you’re doing and what to expect.
Here’s a quick rundown of the three Insider channels and what to expect:
- Dev Channel: This channel gives you access to new features, applications and services faster than the other channels. You will receive the earliest versions of the development cycle. This channel is recommended for very technical users and is likely to include more bugs and stability issues.
- Beta Channel: This channel is a good “middle ground” for early adopters. Builds are closely tied to upcoming releases. It will have fewer bugs than the dev pipeline, but may still contain known (but not yet fixed) issues.
- Release Preview Channel: The Release Preview channel is a great option for those who want new features, advanced quality updates, and relatively few bugs. Microsoft supports builds in this channel for members of the Windows Insider for Business program.
Join the Windows Insider Program from Windows 11
If you haven’t joined the Insider program, doing so is a straightforward process. You can do it directly from your PC by following the steps below:
- Press the button Beginning and then click the icon Setting.
- Go to Windows Update> Windows Insider Program.
- Then click the button “Start”.
- Click the button Link an account.
- Select the microsoft account you want to use to log into the Insider program.
- Now choose an Insider channel. You can choose Dev, Beta or Release Preview.
- Click on Continue when you have made your choice.
- Click on Continue to agree to the Insider Program Terms of Service.
- After going through the on-screen wizard, click the button Restart now.
- After the reboot, log in to your PC and manually update Windows 11 pressing Start> Settings> Windows Update> Update now. Some updates may require another Windows 11 restart.
Check your build of Windows 11
After you’ve updated your PC to allow Windows 11 Insider builds, you can recheck the build you are currently running. There are several ways to do it.
To view your build of Windows 11 via Run:
- Press the key Windows + R to open Run.
- In the dialog Run, scribe winver and press OKAY.
- You should see your current version of Windows (for example, 21H2) and the build number (for example, 22000,348) in the frame About Windows.
To view your build of Windows 11 through the Settings menu:
- Press Beginning and then Setting.
- On the menu Setting, select System> About.
- Scroll down to the section Windows Specifications. Here the operating system edition, the version, the instalation date and the build number.
How to provide feedback for Windows 11
Insider builds are test builds. If you are a Windows Insider, you may want to provide information to Microsoft about new features (or potential bugs). You can do it through Feedback Hub.
How to access the Feedback Hub in Windows 11
First, you will have to access the Feedback Hub and log in. For it:
- Press the windows key and write “feedback hub“.
- Select the option best match – Feedback Hub.
- When Feedback Hub starts, click the link Sign in now from the top.
Using Feedback Hub
Logging into the Feedback Center allows you to submit feedback and keep track of previous submissions. If you have a problem or want to praise something, please add a summary for your comment.
You can also give more details to explain the problem (or add more praise).
Follow the onscreen instructions to submit your comment. You can read the comments of other Insiders with similar opinions when you’re done.
There is also a function of Missions in the Feedback Hub. This allows you to test out the new features in Windows 11 by providing instructions on how to access them.
How to improve Windows like a Windows Insider
The steps above should help you get started if you are unsure of how to join the Windows Insider program in Windows 11.
The Insider program enables IT administrators and developers to test Windows 11 in specific environments. It is also suitable for enthusiasts who want to check out the latest news. However, don’t forget to use the Feedback Hub to inform Microsoft if something is wrong if you are using an Insider build.
