How to Change Windows Insider Program Channel in Windows 10  

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    How to Change Windows Insider Program Channel in Windows 10

    How to Change Windows Insider Program Channel in Windows 10

    Published by Category: Windows Update & Activation
    31 Jul 2021
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Change Windows Insider Program Channel in Windows 10


    If you set to get Insider Preview builds on your Windows 10 PC, then you can choose your Insider level to be a ring below for how soon new Insider preview builds will be made available via Windows Update.

    • Fast - Builds in the Fast ring are released approximately every week and provide Insiders with the earliest access to new features. Be prepared for issues that might block key activities or might require workarounds.
    • Slow - Builds in the Slow ring also contain new preview features and updates but are more stable than Fast ring builds and are released less frequently, approximately every month.
    • Release Preview - If you want to be on the current public release of Windows 10 but still get early access to updates, applications, and drivers without taking the risk of moving to the Development Branch, the Release Preview ring is your best option.

    See also: Deeper look at flighting | Microsoft Docs

    UPDATE 6/29/2020:

    See also: Explore and validate Windows 10 builds with Windows Insider Channels | Windows IT Pro Blog

    The Fast ring is now the Dev Channel, the Slow ring is now the Beta Channel, and the Release Preview ring is now the Release Preview Channel. Here is what that mapping looks like:

    How to Change Windows Insider Program Channel in Windows 10-channelsmovev2.png

    This tutorial will show you how to change your Insider channel to the Dev Channel, Beta Channel, or Insider Preview Channel for Insider preview builds on your Windows 10 PC.

    You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to choose the Insider ring level for the PC.

    It may take some time to receive a new build after changing your Insider level settings.



    Contents

    • Option One: To Change Windows 10 Insider Level in Settings
    • Option Two: To Change Windows 10 Insider Level using a REG file






    OPTION ONE

    To Change Windows 10 Insider Level in Settings


    1 While signed in to Windows 10 with your Microsoft account, open Settings, and click/tap on the Update & recovery icon.

    2 Click/tap on Windows Insider Program on the left side, and click/tap on the current ring (ex: Dev Channel) under Pick your Insider settings on the right side. (see screenshot below)

    How to Change Windows Insider Program Channel in Windows 10-pick_your_insider_settings-1.jpg

    3 Select (dot) the Dev Channel (Fast), Beta Channel (Slow), or Release Preview Channel for what you want, and click/tap on the Back (arrow) button at the top left corner. (see screenshot below)

    How to Change Windows Insider Program Channel in Windows 10-pick_your_insider_settings-2.png

    4 When finished, you can close Settings if you like.






    OPTION TWO

    To Change Windows 10 Insider Level using a REG file


    The downloadable .reg files below will modify the string values in the registry keys below.

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsSelfHost\Applicability

    BranchName string value
    Dev = Dev Channel
    Beta = Beta Channel
    Release Preview = Release Preview Channel

    ContentType string value
    Mainline = Dev Channel, Beta Channel, and Release Preview Channel

    Ring string value
    External = Dev Channel, Beta Channel, and Release Preview Channel

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsSelfHost\UI\Selection

    UIBranch string value
    Dev = Dev Channel
    Beta = Beta Channel
    Release Preview = Release Preview Channel

    UIContentType string value
    Mainline = Dev Channel, Beta Channel, and Release Preview Channel

    UIRing string value
    External = Dev Channel, Beta Channel, and Release Preview Channel


    1 Do step 2 (Dev Channel), step 3 (Beta Channel), or step 4 (Release Preview Channel) below for what ring want to use.


    2 To Change Insider Level to Dev Channel (Fast)

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.

    Dev_Channel.reg

    Download


    3 To Change Insider Level to Beta Channel (Slow)

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.

    Beta_Channel.reg

    Download


    4 Change Insider Level to Release Preview Channel

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.

    Release_Preview_Channel.reg

    Download


    5 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

    6 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

    7 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

    8 If you like, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


    That's it,
    Shawn Brink






  1. Posts : 121
    Windows 10
       #1

    There is now a 3rd option in addition to Fast and Slow, "Release Preview."

    Trying to find an official description of the option.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,665
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    LOL, Microsoft keeps removing and adding that ring.

    Release Preview:

    Best for Insiders who enjoy getting early access to updates for the Current Branch, Microsoft applications, and drivers, with minimal risk to their devices, and still want to provide feedback to make Windows devices great.

    Announcing Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview Build 10586.107 | Windows Experience Blog
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 68,665
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #3
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 10
    Windows 10 / Arch Linux
       #4

    I recently enabled Insider builds but I am unable to change my insider level - it's grayed out and I can't select anything. Any suggestions?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 68,665
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Hello Oldiesmann, :)

    What build do you currently have installed?

    Since you have just enabled to receive Insider builds, have you already restarted the computer to apply?

    Does using Option 2 change the level shown in Settings for you?
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #6

    Shawn, I'm on build 15019 and want to get to 15025. I tried this last night after setting Pace to Fast instead of Slow. Update failed and I ended up doing a reset back to 15019. Now I can't change the Pace from Slow to Fast via Settings or the registry file.

    Any ideas?
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 68,665
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Hey Rich, :)

    Are the settings grayed out?
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #8

    Brink said:
    Hey Rich, :)

    Are the settings grayed out?
    I have am issue with one Insider install that only show slow ring in selection greyed out. Any idea why?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 68,665
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Hey Martin, :)

    You might check to see if you may have disabled the Insider build settings.

    Insider Build Settings - Enable or Disable in Windows 10
      My Computers


 

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