Microsoft Closes Windows 10 Beta Channel for Users
Essential Updates
- Microsoft has discontinued the Windows 10 Beta Channel, merely five months after reactivating it in June 2024, and will migrate all current Windows Insiders to the Release Preview Channel automatically.
- The final support date for Windows 10 will be October 14, 2025, at which point Microsoft will cease to provide security patches and bug fixes.
- Home users who wish to prolong their Windows 10 support can opt for Extended Security Updates (ESU) for a fee of $30, which offers an additional year of updates.
In a surprising turn of events, Microsoft has decided to close the Windows 10 Beta Channel, only five months after it was reintroduced in June 2024. All enrolled users in the Beta Channel will be automatically transitioned to the Release Preview Channel, following the announcement on the Windows Insider blog.
Initially reinstated in June with the first beta version in three years, the Beta Channel aimed to assist in the development of new features with input from Windows Insiders. However, the abrupt cancellation of the program came without any clarification from Microsoft.
Current figures indicate that Windows 10 still holds a substantial market share, with over 60% of Windows devices globally running this version, while Windows 11 lags behind at 35% despite being on the market for three years.
Looking forward, the final version of Windows 10, designated 22H2, will receive ongoing security updates until October 14, 2025. After this date, it will enter its end-of-support phase.
For users needing additional time for migration, Microsoft has presented a convenient option. Home users can acquire Extended Security Updates (ESU) for $30, securing an extra year of support past the 2025 deadline.
During its short revival, the Beta Channel added a number of features adapted from Windows 11, such as Windows Copilot, lock screen widgets, and various integrations with Microsoft services. While the Release Preview Channel will continue to receive Windows 10 builds, the prospects of new feature introductions remain unclear as the operating system nears its termination date.
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