GDX/CFoto/Future Publishing via Getty ImagesZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Windows Insider Program has improved a lot in the last year.
- It’s good enough to justify joining the Release Preview Channel.
- That will get you the new Windows 11 version 26H2 early.
Last week, Microsoft officially released its next Windows 11 feature update, version 26H2, to the Release Preview Channel. For those who aren’t attuned to the arcana of Microsoft’s update cycle, that means that Windows 11 version 26H2 is now being tested by members of the Windows Insider Program and will hit the General Availability Channel in late September or early October.
Normally, this is the point where I would tell you to avoid installing those prerelease builds unless you’re a Windows expert and prepared for some annoyances.
This time, though, my advice is different: If you’re comfortable with Windows 11 and are already running version 24H2 or 25H2, you should consider signing up for that Release Preview update today.
What made me change that recommendation? Two things: First, Microsoft has finally fixed the Windows Insider Program, making it once again a useful tool for those who consider themselves power users or who have the role of sysadmin at home or in an office.
Second, the 26H2 release is, in the immortal words of Douglas Adams, mostly harmless. It’s not weighed down with AI features, it fixes a bunch of longstanding annoyances, and it resets the support calendar by another year, to October 2028. It’s especially interesting for corporate customers, who will be able to take advantage of features that have already rolled out in version 25H2 for home users and small businesses.
The Windows Insider Program is functional again
Last year, I described the Insider program as a “confusing mess.” Builds were buggy, the channel lineup was confusing, management appeared to be missing in action, and — worst of all — you had no idea what you would get if you signed up for a particular channel, thanks to Microsoft’s insistence on running undocumented A-B tests using its loyal Insiders as guinea pigs.
See: The Windows Insider Program is a confusing mess
A year later, that’s all changed. Under new management, the program has been very, very busy.
The new, simplified Insider channel lineup has rolled out to the general public. You can sign up for Beta releases (features coming soon) or Experimental releases (features coming later). If you join the Experimental channel, you get access to a separate “Feature flags” page, like the one shown here, that lets you see at a glance which new features are available in that build. You can decide if you want to enable them or not.
Even more important, you can switch between channels more easily without having to wipe out your current installation and start fresh.
The Release Preview channel is the place to be
To enroll in the Windows Insider Program, go to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program. Click the Get Started button and sign in with the same Microsoft account you use to sign in to Windows. (Yes, you need to sign in with a Microsoft account to install a new build. After you complete the installation, you can sign in using a local account if you prefer. Oh, and you need to set the Diagnostics & feedback setting to “Send optional diagnostic data.”)
When you return to the Windows Insider Program page, you won’t see the Release Preview option right away. Click Advanced Options to expand that section, and then flip the Show Release Review switch to the On position.
After you do that, the Release Preview option appears under the “Select your experience” heading. Click that button, restart your PC, and check for updates. If all goes well, this is what you’ll see.
I spent the weekend updating a half-dozen machines, physical and virtual, in my home office. On machines that were already running Windows 11 version 24H2 or 25H2, the process was painless and quick.
Why is this update so easy?
There are two kinds of Windows feature updates. Those that install a brand-new Windows platform require a big download, a long installation time, and a greater-than-average chance of bugs and performance issues, at least at first.
The other kind of feature update is an enablement package, which doesn’t change the underlying platform. It uses the same code as the previous edition, and the enablement package toggles features on for those upgrading.
Windows 11 version 26H2 uses the Germanium platform, which debuted with version 24H2 nearly two years ago. The 25H2 feature update was an enablement package, and so is 26H2.
Microsoft considers this release stable enough for its commercial customers to deploy. And unlike the Beta/Experimental releases, this one is fully supported.
Next week, I’ll have a full list of the reasons why I think this version is worth getting earlier rather than later. (Spoiler: It’s one big fix-it release, and it gets rid of some of Windows 11’s most prominent annoyances.) If you’d rather wait a month or two and let the Insider community find what should be a small list of issues in this one, you don’t have to do anything.
But for those who want a head start, signing up for the Release Preview program is a good idea.
