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Microsoft revamps the Windows Insider program. With the introduction of a new canary channel, the role of the dev channel changes as well. Beta and Release Preview remain
Microsoft revamps the Windows Insider program. With the introduction of a new canary channel, the role of the dev channel changes as well. Beta and Release Preview remain the same.
Microsoft is adjusting how its Insider program works. A new channel appears for rapid releases of Windows versions: the Canary channel. This partially replaces the role of the Dev Channel, which in turn is given a slightly different interpretation.
In particular, the Canary channel will be the go-to place for Windows Insiders who want to get the latest builds of Windows as soon as possible. Microsoft is planning to release updates here very soon with several new features, some of which will find their way into the final versions of Windows and others will not. Canary’s content is very similar to today’s Dev Channel, but Microsoft appears to be planning to roll out updates even more quickly.
This logically implies that the canary channel contains the least stable versions of Windows. Microsoft itself warns of bugs and points out that in extreme cases it is even possible to reinstall Windows. Anyone joining the Insider program with a device in the Dev Channel today will be automatically migrated to Canary. The Canary channel is for technical users like, ironically, developers.
The Dev Channel takes on a whole new meaning as a sort of stable version of Canary. Again, Microsoft will be experimenting with new features and ideas, and again, the Windows builder makes no promises about reliability. Dev builds are typically past the canary stage, making them suitable for enthusiasts who want to be the first to get started with the latest Windows 11 features, according to Microsoft. Despite the name, the Dev Channel is no longer strictly for technical users and developers.
Bet beta channel will not change and will continue to serve early adopters who want a preview of future Windows 11 releases. The stability in this channel is much higher and updates are validated by Microsoft before they are rolled out. While Dev and Canary are fairly experimental, Microsoft is looking to the beta channel for feedback that will impact finished versions of Windows 11.
You end up in the Release Preview channel as before. This channel is the final stop for a new version of Windows released to the general public and is designed to debug any bugs before launch. Microsoft also recommends Release Preview for business users who want to start validating future versions of Windows.
With the channel realignment, Microsoft is also adjusting the version numbers as follows:
This build naming is relevant because it indicates which channel you can switch to. Changing from a lower to a higher class is always possible. So if you get Windows versions from the Dev Channel but want more adventure, you can easily migrate to Canary.
Look before you jump because the opposite is not possible. To migrate from a higher numbered build sequence to a lower numbered one, you must reinstall Windows. Those placed in Canary today cannot simply migrate to Dev, Beta, or Release Preview. Keep this in mind as Microsoft started migrating Dev Insiders to Canary builds as of yesterday.
Microsoft notes that business users will also be automatically migrated if they are configured for 25000-series builds, which used to stand for Dev builds but will become Canary with the new naming convention.
Source: IT Daily
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