Microsoft has issued another email warning users of the Windows Insider Program that the unstable and buggy preview builds will soon begin rolling out in Dev Channel. Although the reason is not mentioned in the email, we know that it’s due to the imminent testing of Windows 11’s next big release – version 23H2.
As you’re probably aware, Windows 11 as a service will be updated once a year with new features. Later this year, Microsoft will begin rolling out the anniversary update (first update) of the operating system called ‘version 22H2’.
While testers in Beta Channel will continue to get bits from version 22H2, those in the Dev Channel will be moved to a new branch to help the company shape Windows 11 version 23H2 and future releases.
We’re talking about the Dev Channel, which is not tied to any particular release, but most of the upcoming changes in the Dev Channel will be shipped to consumers with Windows 11 version 23H2.
Windows 11 version 23H2 builds won’t have exciting changes initially
Of course, Windows 11 version 23H2 is still in the very early stage of development and there won’t be any new features initially, but since the company will swift the channel to fetch builds from the active development branch, users will hit a bunch of glitches, including critical Blue Screen errors in some cases.
If you don’t want to test buggy builds, you need to move to the Beta Channel as soon as possible.
“If you would like to experience more reliable builds… please move your device to the Beta Channel through the Windows Insider Program Settings, Microsoft reminded testers.
Remember that version 23H2 is a different version of Windows 11 and users cannot easily downgrade to version 22H2. In other words, if you ignore the warning and remain on Dev Channel, so you will need to do a clean installation of the released version of Windows 11 on your device to switch to the Beta Channel in future.
“This window will close once we release builds with higher build numbers to the Dev Channel. If your device stays on the Dev Channel and receives a build that is a higher build number than what is in the Beta Channel, you will have to do a clean installation of the released version of Windows 11 on your device to switch to the Beta Channel,” Microsoft said.
That said, Windows 11 23H2 is in the very early stage of development and initial builds will mostly have new known issues and bug fixes for existing issues. Don’t expect anything too exciting in the Windows Insider program, but version 23H2 is going to be another big release with significant tablet UX/UI improvements, according to sources.