Microsoft is (re)opening a beta testing channel for Windows 10 users. This means that Windows 10 will receive new features in its final year of life.

Windows 10 users can sign up for the Beta Channel starting today to get access to new features before they are released to the general public. In Settings, go to Windows Update > Windows Insider Program and select the Beta channel. Features released in the Beta channel don’t automatically make it to stable versions: as an Insider, you have a say in the matter.

Users who sign up for the Windows 10 Beta Channel also won’t be automatically upgraded to Windows 11 if their PC meets the system requirements. This happens when you sign up for the Canary or Dev testing programs. You won’t see these options if your PC isn’t eligible for Windows 11.

Spread position

With Windows 10, Microsoft continues its striking change of course. Late last year, Microsoft reversed its decision not to introduce any new features in Windows 10 when it launched Copilot. The opening of the Beta Channel suggests that Microsoft has no plans to abandon Windows 10 just yet.

This also highlights the divergent position that Microsoft has found itself in since the launch of Windows 11. On the one hand, Microsoft wants everyone (who is allowed to) to switch to Windows 11 and shows this in an unsubtle way. At the same time, Windows 10 is still very popular and Microsoft is aware that it cannot neglect the many millions of users.

Microsoft makes it clear that commercial support for Windows 10 will continue to end on October 14, 2025. The beta channel is no exception. Anyone who wants to continue using Windows 10 after this date will have to pay for extended security updates.