
However, because you can't switch to a channel with a lower build number than what's on your machine, you'll need to clean install Windows 11 to get to a lower rung. The post states that beta channel users who want new features faster may want to bump up to the Dev channel, though those users may experience more stability issues. Langowski's post suggests that now is as good a time as any to consider which Channel you prefer. As a result, Microsoft is automatically moving current Dev Channel Insiders to the Canary Channel today, though the post states that "Insiders moved to the Canary Channel will receive notifications of this migration in the OS and via email and can take steps to clean install to pick a different channel if they choose." "These builds could include major issues that could result in not being able to use your PC correctly or even in some rare cases require you to reinstall Windows," Windows Insider head Amanda Langowski wrote in the post. The Canary Channel, which will have the highest build numbers in the 25000 series, is being pitched as featuring builds that are "hot off the presses" with little to no documentation available before being sent to Insiders.Ĭanary is for highly technical users.


In addition, the company is "rebooting" the Dev Channel to focus on new features, it announced in a blog post today. Microsoft is adding a fourth channel to the Windows Insider Program, the Canary Channel, which will feature Windows changes that need more testing time and will be available shortly after they are built.
