Windows 10 Beta Channel

[Corrine]

Opening the Beta Channel for Windows Insiders on Windows 10

At the end of last year, Microsoft announced a change in approach for Windows 10 to make sure everyone can get the maximum value from their current Windows PC. To bring new features and more improvements to Windows 10 as needed, a place is needed to do active feature development with Windows Insiders. So today, Microsoft is opening the Beta Channel for Windows Insiders who are currently on Windows 10. This will allow trying out new features for Windows 10, version 22H2, with Insiders before releasing them to all Windows 10 customers.

If you are an Insider on Windows 10 today and want to try out new features for Windows 10 when available, it is recommended that you join or switch to the Beta Channel. You can do this by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program, clicking on the current Insider Channel selection to expand and see the full list of Insider Channels, and choosing Beta Channel.

For Insiders on a Windows 10 PC that meet the minimum system requirements for Windows 11:

• Microsoft will not automatically upgrade you to Windows 11 when you join the Beta Channel. The Windows 11 upgrade will be available as optional, where you can choose to upgrade when you are ready.
  
• You will be able to switch to the Canary or Dev Channels but in doing so it will upgrade your PC to the latest Windows 11 build for those channels.
• If you switch to the Canary or Dev Channels, you will have a small window to roll back to Windows 10 but once this window closes, the only way to go back to the Beta Channel and/or Windows 10 will be to do a clean install of Windows.

For Insiders on a Windows 10 PC that DO NOT meet the minimum system requirements for Windows 11:

• You will not see the options to switch to the Canary or Dev Channels as these channels are only for Windows 11 Insider Preview builds.
• The Windows 10 end of support date of October 14, 2025, is unchanged. Joining the Beta Channel on your Windows 10 PC does not change that. For more information on the Extended Security Update program for Windows 10, see this blog post here.
  

Many features in the Beta Channel will be rolled out using Control Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as feedback is monitored to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel. Insiders in the Beta Channel on Windows 10 who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to them can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Windows Update.

Features and experiences included in the Windows 10 builds flighted to the Beta Channel might not ever get released as different concepts are tried feedback received. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in updates to Windows 10 for everyone when they're ready.

Insiders in the Beta Channel who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Updated & Security > Windows Update. Over time, the rollouts of features will be increased to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your device over time once they are ready.

Please note that once you opt your Windows 10 PC into the Beta Channel today, you will not receive a new build just yet. A new build will be available for you in the coming weeks.

For more information on the 4 Insider Preview Channels, click here.

[Corrine]

Releasing Windows 10 Build 19045.4593 to Beta and Release Preview Channels

Going forward, the Beta Channel and Release Preview Channel will receive the same Windows 10 builds; however, the Beta Channel is where new features will be tiried out with Insiders that are not yet ready for all Windows 10 customers.

For Windows Insiders on Windows 10 in the Beta Channel, we're beginning to roll out the following improvements:

[Search on the Taskbar]

• We're made some fixes to improve the overall stability of searching for apps in the search box on the taskbar.

[Windows Backup]

• You will be able to seamlessly backup and restore personalization preferences of Activity History and Printer Device Settings that are not hardware or accessory dependent such as "Let Windows manager my default printer" and "Store my activity history on this device". The goal is to ensure that the most used preferences of these settings are backed up, while avoiding those that are tied to specific hardware, to facilitate a seamless transition to a new PC.
• We are making some important bug fixes to enhance the backup and restore functionality. As part of this work, the issue causing backup failures when desktop and lock screen backgrounds were backed up twice has been resolved.

Insiders in the Beta Channel on Windows 10 who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Updated & Security > Windows Update. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your device over time once they are ready.

This update includes the following features and improvements for Windows Insiders in BOTH the Beta and Release Preview Channels:

• This update addresses an issue that affects MSIX applications. When you install them from an HTTPS URI, they fail to open. This issue occurs when the download of the application is not complete. This damages the package.
• This update affects mobile device management (MDM). When you enroll a device, the MDM client sends more details about the device. The MDM service uses those details to identify the device model and the company that made it.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the default Japanese Input Method Editor (IME). The candidate window stops responding when you do not expect it. Then, it goes back to a former composition state at random.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Direct Composition batched presentations. A brief flash of triangles or boxes show on the screen. This issue affects browsers, like Microsoft Edge, and other apps.
• This update brings Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA) profiles up to date for certain mobile operators.
• This update addresses an issue that might stop your system from resuming from hibernate. This occurs after you turn on BitLocker.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC). The issue copies unsigned WDAC policies to the Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) disk partition. It is reserved for signed policies.
• This update addresses an issue that affects an app's jump list on the taskbar. Completing actions from that list might fail. A jump list is a menu that appears when you right-click an app on the taskbar or Start menu. It gives you quick access to recently or frequently used app items.
• This update addresses an issue that affects a folder context menu. When you choose the command that removes items, the command adds items instead. This occurs when a third-party service implements a sync feature.

[Corrine]

ADDED 6/19:

*New! We are advancing the Copilot experience on Windows. It is now pinned to the taskbar and will behave like an app. This gives you the benefits of a typical app experience. For example, you can do things like resize, move, and snap the window. PLEASE NOTE: Managed commercial devices will not receive this new experience. This includes devices not running Windows 10 Home and are managed by an IT administrator.

[Corrine]

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.3790 (Beta Channel)

New features gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on
[Phone Link]

• We are gradually rolling out a new feature, which allows you to use your mobile device directly from the Start menu on your Windows 11 PCs, to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel. With this feature, you can stay connected and effortlessly access your mobile device's functionalities right from the Start menu. See this blog post for more details.
  

[Copilot in Windows*]

• The evolved Copilot experience on Windows where it is pinned to the taskbar and behaves like an app is now rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel on Windows 11. We updated last week's Beta Channel flight blog post with more details.
  

Fixes gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on
[File Explorer]

• Addressed contrast issues of certain elements in File Explorer (left navigation pane, view pane/folder view, status bar buttons on the bottom right) in light, dark, and high contrast themes. E.g., adjustments to make it easier to see when a file or folder is selected.

Fixes for everyone in the Beta Channel
[General]

• We fixed the issue where Settings was crashing when trying to look at wi-fi properties.

[Settings]

• Fixed an issue where when attempting to install an optional feature via Settings > System > Option features, it might crash Settings in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview build in the Beta Channel.

*Copilot in Windows is being rolled out gradually to Windows Insiders across our global markets. Customers in the European Economic Area will be able to download the Copilot in Windows experience as an app from the Microsoft Store.

[Corrine]

Releasing Windows 10 Build 19045.4713 to Beta and Release Preview Channels

The Beta Channel and Release Preview Channel will receive the same Windows 10 builds; however, the Beta Channel is where new features will be tried out with Insiders that are not yet ready for all Windows 10 customers. You can read ther announcement for opening the Beta Channel for Windows Insiders on Windows 10 here.

This update includes the following features and improvements for Windows Insiders in BOTH the Beta and Release Preview Channels
Items bolded in brackets indicate the area of the change being documented:

• [FrameShutdownDelay] The browser ignores its value in the "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main" registry key.
  
• [Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3)] In the Group Policy editor, HTML preview rendering fails.
  
• [Group Policy Preferences Item Level Targeting (ILT) and Local Users and Groups] You cannot choose a group from the target domain for ILT. Also, you cannot choose an account from Local Users and Groups. The forest does not appear. This issue occurs when you deploy multiple forests, and the target domain has a one-way trust with the domain of the admin. This issue affects Enhanced Security Admin Environment (ESAE), Hardened Forests (HF), or Privileged Access Management (PAM) deployments.
  
• [Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)] The TCP send code often causes a system to stop responding during routine tasks, such as file transfers. This issue leads to an extended send loop.
  
• [Print Support App] When you use the app with a USB device, the app stops responding and does not print. This issue also limits the functions of the user interface.
  
• [Universal Print clients] They fail to communicate with the Universal Print service. This affects printing functions. This issue occurs when you turn on Web Proxy Auto Discovery (WPAD).
  
• [Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC)] 
  
  • This update prevents a stop error that occurs when you apply more than 32 policies.
  • A memory leak occurs that might exhaust system memory as time goes by. This issue occurs when you provision a device.
  • WDAC fails to verify the policies of some apps.
• [Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist file (DriverSiPolicy.p7b)] This update adds to the list of drivers that are at risk for Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attacks.
  
• [Windows Backup] Backup sometimes fails. This occurs when a device has an Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) system partition (ESP).
  
• [DHCP Option 235 (known issue)] Some Windows devices use this option to find Microsoft Connected Cache (MCC) nodes in their network. But you might not be able to use these nodes when you find them. Instead, these devices download updates and apps from the public internet. Because of this, download traffic increases.
  

[Corrine]

Releasing Windows 10 Build 19045.4842 to Beta and Release Preview Channels

Windows 10 22H2 Build 19045.4842 (KB5041582) is being released to BOTH the Beta Channel and Release Preview Channel for Insiders who are on Windows 10, version 22H2.

This update includes the following features and improvements for Windows Insiders in BOTH the Beta and Release Preview Channels
Items bolded in brackets indicate the area of the change being documented:

• [Input Method Editor (IME)] When a combo box has input focus, a memory leak might occur when you close that window.
  
• [Country and Operator Settings Asset] This update brings COSA profiles up to date for certain mobile operators.
  
• [Bluetooth] An app stops responding because of a memory leak in a device.
  
• [Bind Filter Driver] Your system might stop responding when it accesses symbolic links.
  
• [Unified Write Filter (UWF) and Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)] An SCCM task to re-enable UWF fails because of a deadlock in UWF. This stops the device from restarting when you expect it.
  

[Corrine]

Windows 10 22H2 Build 19045.4955 (KB5043131) released to BOTH the Beta Channel and Release Preview Channel for Insiders who are on Windows 10, version 22H2.

This update includes the following features and improvements for Windows Insiders in BOTH the Beta and Release Preview Channels

Items bolded in brackets indicate the area of the change being documented:

• [Microsoft Entra single sign-on (SSO)] The SSO notice that the European Digital Markets Act (DMA) requires prompts too often. This occurs when you authenticate using a certificate. To learn more, see: Upcoming changes to Windows single sign-on.
  
• [IE mode] Microsoft Edge sometimes stops responding when you use IE mode.
  
• [Country and Operator Settings Asset] This update brings COSA profiles up to date for certain mobile operators.
  
• [Media playback] Playback of some media might stop when you use certain surround sound technology.
  
• [File Explorer and taskbar] Windows server stops responding when you use apps like File Explorer and the taskbar.
  
• [Windows Update opt-in notifications] They now appear when you sign in.
  
• [Directory enumeration] This might fail if a directory has symbolic links that have long target names.
  

[Corrine]

Releasing Windows 10 Build 19045.5070 to Beta and Release Preview Channels

Windows 10 22H2 Build 19045.5070 (KB5045594) to BOTH the Beta Channel and Release Preview Channel for Insiders who are on Windows 10, version 22H2.

The Beta Channel and Release Preview Channel will receive the same Windows 10 builds; however, the Beta Channel is new features will be tried out with Insiders that are being worked on that are not yet ready for all Windows 10 customers.

For Windows Insiders on Windows 10 in the Beta Channel, we're beginning to roll out the following improvements

[Settings]

• Under Settings > System > About, you will now find a refreshed experience with new top cards that highlight key hardware specifications of your device. These cards are designed to keep you informed about the most important details of your device's hardware that matter to you. We've also added FAQs directly within this settings page to help you better understand your device. These FAQs will explain your current hardware specifications and how they impact the performance of your device, making it easier to get the most out of your system.
  

Insiders in the Beta Channel on Windows 10 who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Updated & Security > Windows Update. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your device over time once they are ready.

This update includes the following features and improvements for Windows Insiders in BOTH the Beta and Release Preview Channels

Items bolded in brackets indicate the area of the change being documented:

• [Start menu] New! This update starts the roll out of the new account manager on the Start menu. The new design makes it easy to view your account and access account settings. To change to a different user, select the ellipses (...) next to Sign out. The Lock command is now on the power menu. Note: This change might not be available to all users because it will roll out gradually.
  
• [vmswitch] Fixed: A vmswitch triggers a stop error. This occurs when you use Load Balancing and Failover (LBFO) teaming with two virtual switches on a virtual machine (VM). In this case, one virtual switch uses single root Input/Output virtualization (SR-IOV).
  
• [Upgrade to Windows 11] Fixed: A race condition causes stop error 0x3B. This might occur when you upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 1.
  
• [Product activation phone numbers] Fixed: This adds new phone numbers for several regions.
  
• [Multi-Function Printer (MFP)]
  
  • Fixed: When you use a USB cable to connect to it, it prints specific network command text when you do want it to.
  • Fixed: A scanner driver fails to install when you use a USB cable to connect to an MFP.
• [Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA)] Fixed: This update brings profiles up to date for certain mobile operators.
  
• [WebView2 apps] Fixed: They do not detect input from Xbox 360 and Bluetooth controllers.
  

[Corrine]

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4371 (Beta Channel)

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on

[Snap]

• We're trying out a behind-the-scenes change to improve what apps are suggested for snapping in snap layouts. Try out snapping different apps and let us know if you see improvements in what apps you see suggested.

[Narrator]

• We have added a new shortcut "Narrator key + control + X" to copy what Narrator last spoke to clipboard. It follows the pattern of using "Narrator key + X" which repeats the last spoken phrase out loud and is a good way to memorize similar shortcuts. You can use these shortcuts to review and copy what Narrator spoke, useful in cases you want to quickly copy some content or descriptions or codes/numbers for use.
• Narrator will now auto-read contents of a mail in the new Outlook app similar to behavior in Outlook classic.
  

Fixes gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on

[File Explorer]

• Did some work so the search box in File Explorer shouldn't draw off the end of the window anymore.

[Narrator]

• We have addressed a performance issue where Narrator would slow down after 15 minutes of continuous use with a single application. If you continue to experience any performance delays, do report using Feedback Hub.
• Fixed an issue where Narrator would add an additional announcement "contains style" whenever its focus is on text that has styling attributes such as bullets, numbers across applications such as Microsoft Edge, Teams, Outlook, etc.
• Fixed an issue where few dialogs in Narrator were not adopting the 200% text scaling setting in Windows.

Snipping Tool Update
We are rolling out an update for Snipping Tool (version 11.2409.23.0 and newer) to Windows Insiders in the Beta and Release Preview Channels that introduces a new "Copy as table" feature.

Customers can do even more with Snipping Tool! Alongside existing text features, like copying text from an image and redacting sensitive information, we're adding a new option for "Copy as table". Customers can use "Copy as table" to easily copy structured table data into an email, document, or spreadsheet. To get started, capture a screenshot with table data, select "Text actions," and select "Copy as table." You can paste the structured table data from there! Please note: the current implementation of the feature works best when your screenshot only includes one table.

FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Snipping Tool.

[Corrine]

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4435 (Beta Channel)

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on

[General]

• If you hold Shift and CTRL when clicking on a jump list item in Start menu or taskbar, this will now launch that item as admin, just like if you were to do Shift + CTRL and click the app icon itself.  For example, if you right-click on Windows Terminal, and hold Shift and CTRL when you click PowerShell, it would open a PowerShell window as admin.

[Dynamic Lighting]

• When no compatible devices are attached, the Dynamic Lighting settings page will now show a placeholder message and Brightness and Effects controls are disabled.
• On the Dynamic Lighting settings page, we have added Forward, Backward, Outward and Inward direction options to the Wave effect, and added the Forward direction option to the Gradient effect.

Fixes gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on

[Taskbar]

• Made another fix for WIN + <# associated with position on taskbar> not working in some cases in the latest flights.
• Fixed an issue where the X button to close an app window from the taskbar wasn't working for some Insiders.

[Input]

• Fixed an underlying issue which could cause the mouse to unlock from a game window on a system with multiple monitors after opening and closing Game Bar, so you couldn't use it within the game.

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out to everyone in the Beta Channel

[Settings]

• After disabling the ability to configure the Copilot key with Build 22635.4291, we are enabling this functionality again with refinements. We have limited the apps that can be launched by the Copilot key to those apps that have opted into this experience. This is to ensure apps targeted by the key know they will be used in this way and meet security and privacy requirements to keep customers safe. We will be publishing how apps can opt-in to this experience here in on this Microsoft Learn page soon. As a reminder, this setting can be found via Settings > Personalization > Text input.
  

Fixes for everyone in the Beta Channel

[Other]
This update includes fixes for the following issues:

• [Bluetooth] Fixed: An app stops responding because of a memory leak in a device.
  
• [Product activation phone numbers] Fixed: This adds new phone numbers for several regions.
  
• [Collector sets] Fixed: They do not close properly when an exception occurs during startup or while the set is active. Because of this, the command to stop a collector set stops responding.
  
• [Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist file (DriverSiPolicy.p7b)] This update adds to the list of drivers that are at risk for Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attacks.
  
• [Windows Hello for Business] Fixed: PIN reset does not work when you select the "I forgot my PIN' link on the credentials screen.
  
• [Multi-Function Printer (MFP)] Fixed: When you use a USB cable to connect to it, it prints specific network command text when you do want it to.
  
• [Microsoft Teams] Fixed: The issue stops you from joining Teams meetings when you select an Outlook meeting reminder.
  
• [Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA)] Fixed: This update brings profiles up to date for certain mobile operators.
  
• [vmswitch] Fixed: A vmswitch triggers a stop error. This occurs when you use Load Balancing and Failover (LBFO) teaming with two virtual switches on a virtual machine (VM). In this case, one virtual switch uses single root Input/Output virtualization (SR-IOV).
  
• [WebView2 apps] Fixed: They do not detect input from Xbox 360 and Bluetooth controllers.
  

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel

• Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel will receive updates based on Windows 11, version 23H2 via an enablement package (Build 22635.xxxx).
  
• Many features in the Beta Channel are rolled out using Control Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
  
• For Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you, you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Windows Update*. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your device over time once they are ready.
  
• Features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they're ready.
  
• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
• Because the Dev and Beta Channels represent parallel development paths from our engineers, there may be cases where features and experiences show up in the Beta Channel first.
• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.
  

[Corrine]

Releasing Windows 10 Build 19045.5194 to Beta and Release Preview Channels

Windows 10 22H2 Build 19045.5194 (KB5046714) is being released to BOTH the Beta Channel and Release Preview Channel for Insiders who are on Windows 10, version 22H2.

Note: This will be the last release of a Windows 10 build to the Beta Channel as the Beta Channel for Windows 10 will be shutting down. Insiders on Windows 10 in the Beta Channel will be moved over to the Release Preview Channel.  Although it is recommended to move to Windows 11, Insiders on Windows 10 today in the Beta Channel can also move to the Release Preview Channel on their own via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program and choosing the Release Preview Channel.

For Windows Insiders on Windows 10 in the Beta Channel, we're beginning to roll out the following improvements

• [Start menu] New! The Recommended section of the Start menu will show some Microsoft Store apps. These apps come from a small set of curated developers. This will help you to discover some of the great apps that are available. If you want to turn this off, go to Settings > Personalization > Start. Turn off the toggle for Show suggestions occasionally in Start.
  

Insiders in the Beta Channel on Windows 10 who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Updated & Security > Windows Update. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your device over time once they are ready.

This update includes the following features and improvements for Windows Insiders in BOTH the Beta and Release Preview Channels

Items bolded in brackets indicate the area of the change being documented:

• [App list backup] Fixed: Win32 shortcuts might not back up to the cloud.
  
• [Copy cloud files] Fixed: When you drag and drop files from a cloud files provider folder, it might result in a move instead of a copy.
  
• [Motherboard replacement] Fixed: Windows does not activate after you replace a motherboard.
  
• [Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA)] Fixed: This update brings profiles up to date for certain mobile operators.
  
• [Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) printer] Fixed: Windows stops responding when you use an IPP USB printer.