Microsoft puts forward three channels: Dev (shortened from Developers), Beta, and Release Preview. The developer channel is intended for users who want to receive updates every week, but this is where you will encounter the largest number of bugs and issues. If you don’t mind waiting for builds with more stability, the beta channel will suit your needs.
The distinction of the Release Preview channel is the fact it offers the highest stability of the three. Here you’ll typically see the complete and final builds of any notable Windows update before the company releases it to the general public.
Aside from Explorer.exe crashes, the preliminary builds contained other critical issues. The company has made the decision to hold off the Slow Ring release of the latest builds until the major bugs are fixed.
As of now, the majority of the critical bugs have been taken care of. Microsoft is going to finally publish Windows 11 Build 22000.100 in the beta channel for the Insiders.
Windows 11 goes to the Beta version
Currently, anyone can download and install the Windows 11 builds published on the Insider Program Beta Channel. However, there is one catch: if you are not a Windows Insider and your device fails to satisfy the minimum requirements, receiving a newer build is out of the question for you.
If you would like to see the preview build on unsupported computers, follow the specified steps: modify the registry and sign up your device with the Dev Channel. Once you upgrade to Windows 11, you’ll have the option to switch to the beta version for more stable builds.
In a new statement, Microsoft explained that right now is a great time to change the settings in Windows Insider and make the transition to the beta channel. Soon, you will no longer be able to migrate to the beta channel by simply changing your Insider Program settings. Microsoft says that downgrading will require a clean (from scratch) installation of Windows 11.
In this regard, Microsoft will move Dev Channel testers to the pre_release branch, which will boast access to the upcoming major Windows 11 update, which is codenamed 22H2.
The servicing model in Windows 11 will be the same as in Windows 10 – with one major modification: only a single feature update will pop up every year.
As confirmed in the support documents, Windows 11 version 22H2 will be released in H2 2022. However, in just a few months, the Dev Channel testers should start receiving the first snippets of the next major update.
Windows 10 will continue to receive new updates. The upcoming big update is version 21H2. However, no one knows yet if another feature update is scheduled for the next year.
