Microsoft has announced the first beta for Windows 10 since 2021. A big surprise given that Windows 10’s lifecycle ends in just 16 months, and that the Redmond firm’s total (and obsessive) commitment for two years has been to migrate users and PCs to Windows 11.

It is well known that Microsoft, and by extension the technology industry, has a huge problem the huge market share of Windows 10 and the lack of momentum of Windows 11. The company no longer knows what to do to turn the tables because nothing has worked. Other than that, what we haven’t tried to do is actually make it better and not penalize it with additional hardware requirements or the inclusion of free ad bloatware, to name two of the many issues that need to be addressed.

First beta for Windows 10 from 2021

After all the tricks and gimmicks that Microsoft has done against Windows 10, it is difficult to understand the reactivation of the beta program that comes with the promise of an offer “new features and other improvements”. Two years ago, it announced that it would not be releasing any feature updates for Windows 10. Hence the surprise at this announcement. However, it should be remembered that Microsoft jumped over the general “norm” whenever it was interested, for example with the arrival of Copilot on Windows 10.

Microsoft explains its decision to reopen the beta channel denotes which will enable all Windows 10 users “Get the most value out of your current PC”. The new policies will also be useful in companies, as they will help test new features before launching them into the general channel.

If you’re part of the Insider program and still using Windows 10, Microsoft recommends switching to the beta channel to try new features. You can do this in Settings > Update & Security, select Trial to see the full list of available options. Now simply you’ll see a new “beta channel” that hasn’t been implemented for three years.

It is not clear what new features Microsoft has prepared for Windows 10. Users who still continue with the system and won’t change until there is another fix welcome any improvement, but the change in criteria is still curious. The latest market share data suggests that Windows 10 has almost 70% market share compared to Windows 11’s 25% share. It remains to be seen whether this will influence the decision.

And in case you’re wondering: Will the new Windows 10 beta mean Microsoft will extend free Windows 10 support beyond October 2025? Apparently not, although many of us bet on it.