Do you want to be at the cutting edge of technology? From now on, always download the new Windows update first.

Every fall, Windows 11 receives a major new update packed with features. Did you know that many features are pre-tested by Windows Insiders (beta testers) throughout the year? Anyone can register to test the latest features and be the first to try them out.

On the other hand, the faster you download a new Windows update, the higher the risk of errors. As a beta tester you help with the selection. Sometimes things go well. If something doesn’t work properly, testers might try the latest customization first. This way you don’t have to wait until the final update is available to everyone.

Windows updates don’t always have to be big and full of new features, like the latest one, available since September 26th. Every month, Microsoft introduces a series of major improvements. In between, there may also be updates that address urgent matters that cannot wait in the monthly cycle.

In short: Windows updates are very frequent. Sometimes you want to receive it earlier than usual, sometimes you don’t. In this guide we will explain to you step by step where you can take little risk, where you can take more risk and how you can dynamically switch between the two options.

The safest and most stable updates

If you don’t want to take any risks, it’s best to do nothing. Microsoft decides when it’s your turn. This often happens after millions of other users have installed the update because they proactively click the update button or are beta testers.

That’s probably why you just clicked on this article. Proceed to the next step.

Proactively click the refresh button.

Did you know that by clicking on the update button in the Windows Update menu, you automatically signal to Microsoft that you always want to proactively receive the latest update? Once it’s available and you click the button, you don’t have to wait anymore.

click on begin, Institutions and left further Windows Update. From on Looking for updates When you click on it, Windows 11 will check for the latest stable updates. Sometimes you have the opportunity to install an update a little earlier than the others. Then it’s up to you Download and install choose.

Are you feeling a bit more adventurous? finch Get the latest updates as soon as they become available to be one of the first, according to Windows Insiders, to incorporate new solutions and improvements.

Important to know: Security updates are always installed as soon as they are available on every PC to ensure the security of your system. As a user you have little influence on this, which is a good thing.

Test Windows 11 at four speeds

If you want to test new features of Windows 11 earlier than everyone else, you must register as a Windows Insider. This is where you proactively get early versions of the operating system, which are more likely to have bugs than the stable version. That is also the purpose of the Windows Insider Program: Microsoft receives feedback from numerous testers in order to roll out new functions as stably as possible over time.

Here you can register online. The only requirement to participate is that you have a Microsoft account or create one. Once that’s done, it’s up to you to decide how much risk you want to take to test the latest features.

Microsoft offers you four channels:

• Canary Canal: for technical users. Preview the latest changes early in the development cycle. These versions contain limited documentation, little validation, and may be unstable.
• Developer channel: for the fans. Get access to the latest features and ideas as Microsoft refines them. There may still be problems with updates and stability is poor.
• Beta channel: Ideal for early adopters. More reliable than the Dev channel with Microsoft validated updates. This is where the tester’s feedback is most valuable.
• preview: the last straight line. Here’s a preview of the next version of Windows 11 before it becomes generally available. Stable enough for business and home users.

You are free to change channels at any time or stop being a Windows Insider altogether. Sometimes the option preview Not available. You can only check this box a few weeks/months before a major new Windows 11 update.

Enroll your PC in the Windows Insider program

Go to begin, Institutions and select again Windows Update. Now select the button Windows Insider Program and log in with your Microsoft account registered as an Insider (see previous step). After you get up Next click, it can sometimes take a minute for your PC to hang exactly. Grab a coffee and you’ll be fine.

In the Windows Insider menu in Windows 11, you will now see your linked email account and the button Choose your Insider settings. Click on it to view the four channels. It’s up to you to decide how much risk you want to take to test the latest version based on the information above.

Then click Windows Update Select again in the left bar Looking for updates and your Windows 11 beta will automatically download. Since this is a major update, it will take some time to download and install. It will take a while to restart your PC, allow 15 to 30 minutes. Plan this well throughout your (working) day.

From now on you’ll be up to date with the latest technology and get the latest Windows 11 features for everyone. Hooray! Do you realize after a few days or weeks that you have made a crucial mistake? Luckily, you can leave the Windows Insider Beta program or change channels at any time.

Change test channel

Are you tired of all the tests? Head over to the Windows Update menu begin, Institutions and select left Windows Update. click on Choose your Insider settings and select another channel.

Remember that you will immediately get the latest version with a more experimental channel, but the reverse does not apply. Suppose you want to switch from beta to dev then you will get the Looking for updatesImmediately click the button to download and install the latest early version.

Conversely, it takes longer from development to beta. You will keep the current dev version of Windows 11 on your PC, but it will no longer be updated with the latest version. You systematically roll back far enough until you reach the beta stage, where everything is more stable. Suddenly, after a few weeks or months, you get a dev update and you find yourself in this cycle.

Remove your PC from the Windows Insider program

You can easily remove your PC from Windows Insider process with just a few clicks. It may take up to several months to actually get rid of the beta. You can log out using the button No further preview builds received in the Windows Insider menu. There you choose Deregister this device when the next version of Windows is released and turn on the button At.

The option says it all: from now on you have to wait until the annual update cycle to be back on the stable path. There is another option below Deregister this device immediately, but there is no check mark next to it. You will be redirected to a webpage that explains how to do a clean install of Windows 11. Not the most convenient option, but often the best if your system suddenly becomes very unstable or you want to start from scratch.