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:
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
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)
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)
4 When finished, you can close Settings if you like.
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.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Dev_Channel.reg
Download
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Beta_Channel.reg
Download
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
Related Tutorials
- How to Join Windows Insider Program to Register Account
- How to Start or Stop Receiving Insider Builds in Windows 10
- How to Leave Windows Insider Program to Unregister Account
- How to Change Account Used for Insider Builds in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable Insider Build Settings in Windows 10
- How to Add or Remove Windows Insider Program Settings Page in Windows 10
- How to clean install latest Fast Ring Insider build in supported way
How to Change Windows Insider Program Channel in Windows 10
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New #1
There is now a 3rd option in addition to Fast and Slow, "Release Preview."
Trying to find an official description of the option.
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New #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
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New #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?
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New #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?
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New #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?
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New #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
How to Change Windows Insider Program Channel in Windows 10
Published by Shawn BrinkCategory: Windows Update & Activation31 Jul 2021
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