If you want to switch from a Dev Insider build to a stable build of Windows 11 or switch from a Beta Insider build to a stable build of Windows 11, do you know how to do it? In this article, MiniTool Software shows you different methods to switch from Insider to a stable build of Windows 11 under different Channels.
Want to Switch to a Stable Build of Windows 11 from Insider?
Before the final release of Windows 11, Microsoft released many Insider preview builds for testing to Insiders in the Dev Channel, the Beta Channel, and the Release Preview Channel of the Windows Insider Program.
In the beginning, Microsoft only rolled out preview builds to the Dev Channel. When the Windows 11 preview builds became stable, the company gradually released preview builds to the Beta Channel and then the Release Preview Channel. Since Windows 11 preview build 22000.160, Microsoft began to prompt Insiders who want to use stable Windows 11 builds to switch to Dev Channel if they are still in the Dev Channel.
Now, Microsoft continues to release Windows 11 builds to the Dev Channel, the Beta Channel, and the Release Preview Channel. But the Windows 11 preview builds in the Dev Channel don’t match the official and stable Windows 11 builds any more. The preview builds in the Dev Channel are higher.
Windows 11 was official released on October 5, 2021. Since then, you can free upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 as long as your device is Windows 11 eligible. But many users are still in the Windows Insider Program. If you are one of them, do you know how to switch from Insider to a stable build of Windows 11?
There are three different Channels in the Windows Insider Program. Different Channels have different methods to switch from Windows 11 preview to full. Now, we will show you how to switch from Insider to a stable build of Windows 11 under different Channels.
How to Switch from a Beta/Release Preview Insider Build to a Stable Build of Windows 11?
Since the Windows 11 preview builds in the Beta Channel and the Release Preview Channel still match Windows 11 full and official versions, it is easy to switch from Windows 11 Insider preview to full under these two Channels. You just need to leave the Windows Insider Program and then upgrade to the latest Windows 11 version via Windows Update in the Settings app.
Now, we will show you how to leave the Beta/Release Preview Channel and get the full version of Windows 11.
Step 1: Leave the Windows Insider Program
If you want to use a stable and official version of Windows 11, it’s time to leave the Windows Insider Program now.
1. Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click Windows Insider Program from the right panel.
3. Click Stop getting preview builds on the next page.
4. Here, you will see two options:
- Unenroll this device when the next version of Windows releases
- Unenroll this device immediately.
If you are in the Beta Channel or the Release Preview Channel, both of these two options are available. However, if you just want to switch from a Beta/Release Preview Insider build to a stable build of Windows 11, the first option is enough. You need to turn on the button next to this option (Unenroll this device when the next version of Windows releases) to stop getting Windows 11 preview builds.
5. Click the Leaving the Insider Program link at the bottom to continue.
6. You will be guided to a webpage where you can click the Leave the program now button to opt out of the Windows Insider Program.
Now, you leave the Windows Insider Program. Your device will not receive Windows 11 preview builds. If you want to get a stable version of Windows 11, you need to continue with the next step.
Step 2: Upgrade to Windows 11
You are not in the Windows Insider Program. But currently you are still running a Windows 11 preview build. If you need to switch to a stable Windows 11 version, you need to check for updates on your computer.
It is easy to do this:
- Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update.
- Click the Check for updates button to get the latest version of Windows 11. Your system will automatically download and install Windows 11 full version on your computer. The whole process may last for even hours and your computer may restart several times. You should wait patiently until the whole process ends.
Another Choice: Reset This PC
After leaving the Windows Insider Program, you can also use the Reset This PC tool to reinstall the latest version of official Windows 11 on your computer.
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Recovery.
- Click the Reset PC button under Recovery options.
- On the pop-up interface, select Keep my files or Remove everything according to your requirements.
- Select Cloud download or Local reinstall to continue.
- Follow the on-screen guide to reset your computer and get the stable Windows 11 version.
TIP: Back up Your Data
If you choose to remove everything during the PC reset process, you should make a full back up of your important files in advance. You can use MiniTool ShadowMaker, professional data backup software, to do this job.
This software focuses on files/folders/partitions/disks/systems backup and restore. It even supports automatic backup, full backup, differential backup, and incremental backup. You can use the trial edition of this software to experience it for free within 30 days.
MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
To protect your data, you’d better back up your Windows 11 files to an external hard drive using MiniTool ShadowMaker. After resetting your computer, you can use this software to restore the backup files to your device.
If you want to switch from a Beta Insider build to a stable build of Windows 11, here is a guide.Click to Tweet
How to Switch from a Dev Insider Build to a Stable Build of Windows 11?
If you are still in the Dev Channel now, you will be unable to use the above method to switch to a stable version of Windows 11. The Windows 11 preview builds in the Dev Channel are higher versions. You can’t switch to the Dev Channel or the Release Preview Channel from the Dev Channel now. Besides, you can’t stop your device from receiving the preview builds unless you clean install Windows 11 on your computer.
How to confirm?
Now, you can go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program > Stop getting preview builds to see if the Unenroll this device when the next version of Windows releases option is available.
You can see the first option is greyed out. From the following explanation, you can see that this option is only available for the Beta and Preview Release Channels.
Then, you can continue to read the explanation of the second option:
To stop getting Insider Preview builds on this device, you’ll need to clean install the latest release of Windows 10. Note: This option will erase all your data and install a fresh copy of Windows 10.
However, if you want to use Windows 11, you can also choose to clean install Windows 11 on your computer.
Now, we will show you how to switch from a Dev Insider build to a stable build of Windows 11.
Step 1: Leave the Windows Insider Program
If you want to use the official Windows 11, you should leave the Windows Insider Program first. Likewise, you can go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program > Stop getting preview builds, click the Leave the Insider Program link, and then click the Leave the program now button on the pop-up webpage to opt out of the Windows Insider Program.
Step 2: Back up Your Files Using MiniTool ShadowMaker
Since a Windows 11 clean install will erase all files on your computer, you should back up your data in advance. As we have mentioned above, you can use MiniTool ShadowMaker to do the job.
MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
Step 3: Create a Windows 11 Installation USB Drive
You can use Windows 11 Media Creation Tool to create a Windows 11 Installation USB drive. Here is a guide:
- Go to Windows 11 software download page.
- Click the Download now button under Create Windows 11 Installation Media to download Windows 11 Media Creation Tool on your computer.
- Prepare a USB flash drive that has at least 8GB space and connect it with your computer. All files on the USB drive will be deleted during the creation process. So, you should make sure that there is no important data on it.
- Open the downloaded Windows 11 Media Creation Tool.
- If you see the User Account Control interface, click Yes to continue.
- Click Accept.
- Select the language and edition according to your requirements.
- Click Next.
- Select USB flash drive.
- Click Next.
- Select the connected USB flash drive from the next page.
- Click Next.
Windows 11 Media Creation Tool will begin to create a Windows 11 installation USB drive. You should wait until the whole process ends.
Step 4: Clean Install Windows 11 on Your PC
- Close your computer.
- Make sure the Windows 11 installation USB drive is connected to your computer.
- Boot your computer into BIOS and set the PC to start from the USB drive.
- You will see the Windows Setup interface. Select your needed language, time, and keyboard layout.
- Click Next.
- Click Install now on the next page.
- Click I don’t have a product key.
- Select the operating system you want to install.
- Click Next.
- Select I accept the Microsoft Software License Terms.
- Click Next.
- Click Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).
- Select the partition drive you want to install Windows 11 to. Usually, it is the Drive 0 Partition 1.
- Click Delete.
- Click OK to confirm the operation.
- Select the deleted drive and click Next.
- Windows 11 installing process starts. The process will last for some minutes. You should wait until the whole process ends.
After cleaning install Windows 11, you still need to continue with the Windows 11 out-of-box experience (OOBE) to complete the whole settings.
Step 5: Recover Your Lost Files Using MiniTool Power Data Recovery
If you lost your important files after cleaning install Windows 11 on your computer but there is no available backup, you can use MiniTool Power Data Recovery to get them back.
This software is a free file recovery tool. With it, you can recover data from all kinds of data storage devices including computer hard drives, memory cards, USB flash drives, SD cards , and more.
This software has a trial edition. You can first use it to scan the drive you want to recover data from. If this data recovery software can find the files you want to recover, you can use a full edition to recover all your needed files.
MiniTool Power Data Recovery TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
Bottom Line
How to switch from Insider to a stable build of Windows 11 without data loss? After reading this article, you should know how to do it no matter you are in the Dev Channel, or the Beta/Preview Release Channel. Should you have any other related issues, you can let us know in the comments. You can also contact us via [email protected].
Microsoft has just released a stable version of Windows 11. Many Windows 10 users have already upgraded to Windows 11 Insider Preview. If you are one of these people and would like to switch to Windows 11 stable instead of the Dev or Insider Preview channels, please follow this article.
Table of Contents
How to switch from Windows 11 Insider build to Windows 11 Stable build
Here are the steps necessary to switch from an Insider build to a stable build of Windows 11:
- Use the Windows key + i keyboard shortcut or click on the Start Menu –> Settings to open Windows settings.
- On the left hand menu pane, select the Windows Update menu item.
- Click on the Windows Insider Program in the right hand pane.
- Select Stop getting preview builds from the next screen.
- Here you will have two options:
- Unenroll this device when the next version of Windows releases
- Unenroll this device immediately
- You can choose either option to switch from Insider Preview to a stable build of Windows 11, but the results will be different.
First, let’s examine each option in depth and then decide which one to select.
Unenroll this device when the next version of Windows releases
If you are a member of the beta or release preview ring, you will have the option to enable this feature. With this option, Windows will not stop receiving new updates immediately, but will wait for the next public release of Windows 11.
Users who have enabled this option will no longer receive preview builds on their devices once the next major release of Windows is released to the public.
If you are a member of the beta or release preview ring, you will have the option to enable this feature. With this option, Windows will not stop receiving new updates immediately, but will wait for the next public release of Windows 11.
Users who have enabled this option will no longer receive preview builds on their devices once the next major release of Windows is released to the public.
The caveat with this option is that you will not be able to uninstall the Windows 11 Insider build immediately, but you will have to wait until the next major release of the Operating System.
Only two major versions of Windows 11 are expected to be released each year. In this case, you may have to wait up to 6 months before you are able to install the stable version of Windows on your computer.
Unenroll this device immediately
Essentially, this option requires you to reinstall Windows 11 on your computer. This also implies that all your settings and data will be lost during the reinstallation process.
It is only recommended if the system does not have data on it and you are only using it for testing purposes.
In any case, you should backup your data completely before proceeding and perform a clean installation of Windows 11.
To clean install Windows 11, you will need to download Windows 11 ISO, create a bootable media and then do the installation.
How to leave Windows Insider When Using Windows Domain
You will need to complete an additional step if your computer is part of a Windows domain and you are connected to the Windows Insider program at the Domain level.
To leave the Windows Insider Program, click this link. Log in using your domain administrator email address.
Click on the Leave the program now button to unregister your organization from the Windows Insider Program. Using Insider Previews in your organization is disabled when you unregister.
What if the Switch to Stable build option is greyed out?
The option Unenroll this device when the next version of Windows releases is only available for Beta and Release Preview builds of Windows 11. If you are on the Dev channel, you will not have this option available to you. The only option available to you will be to clean install Windows 11.
An alternative method is to first switch from Dev to Beta and then use this option when it is enabled.
Follow the steps below to move from Dev to Beta:
- Open the Windows Registry Editor (Run –> regedit)
- Go to the following path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsSelfHost\UI\Selection - In the right-hand pane, open UIBranch.
- Set its value to Beta.
- Now go to the following Registry path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsSelfHost\Applicability - In the right-hand pane, open BranchName.
- Set its value to Beta.
- Restart the computer.
Windows will be tricked into enabling the option once you make the changes in the registry. Select the appropriate option to move out of Beta by following the instructions discussed above.
I hope this will make it easier for you to install the stable build of Windows 11. Both options have been discussed, for beta and insider previews, as well as for the developer channel. What is your experience with rolling back to the stable version?
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If you’re in the Windows Insider Program for Windows 11 and you’d like to switch from the Beta or Release Preview channels to a stable build on the next upgrade, you can make the switch in Settings. Here’s how.
If you plan to use the stable build of Windows 11 when it launches on October 5 and you’re using the Beta or Release Preview channels (Dev doesn’t apply), then you can flip a switch in Settings that will automatically unenroll your Windows 11 device from the Windows Insider program upon the next major stable release. The same will apply after the full release of Windows 11, but you may need to wait until a major update to make the switch automatically. If you don’t, you’ll stay on the Beta or Preview Release Channels of Windows 11.
To get started, first open Windows Settings by pressing Windows+i on your keyboard. Or you can open the Start menu, search for «Settings,» and click the Settings app icon.
In Settings, click «Windows Update» in the sidebar, then select «Windows Insider Program.»
In Windows Insider Program settings, expand the «Stop getting preview builds» section (by clicking it). Next, flip the switch beside «Unenroll this device when the next version of Windows releases» to «On.»
After that, close Settings. The next time Microsoft releases a major, stable update to Windows 11, your PC will leave the Insider program and switch to a regular stable build.
Alternately, you can change your Windows Insider settings on this same screen if you’d like to switch between Dev, Beta, and Release Preview channels. Good luck!
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Updated on 1 Feb 2024
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Min Reading 6 Min
Microsoft decided to roll out Windows 11 in phases (builds) to provide the best experience to its end user. With the help of the Windows Insider Community, the first Windows 11 Insider Preview build to the Dev Channel Build 22000.51 was released. Later, Beta Channel insider builds (21H2) and Release Preview Channel Builds 22621.457 came into existence.
Now, Microsoft keeps rolling the builds to all Dev, Beta, and Release Preview Channels; however, Build numbers are higher in Dev Channel and no longer match the stable release of this new OS. If you’re currently using Windows Insider Program and wish to switch to Windows 11 Stable Build, here’s how you can do it.
Switch from Windows Insider to Windows 11 Stable Build
Here, we’ll discuss how to download Windows 11 official release for all Windows insiders. However, if using Dev Channel, you’d need to clean install the OS. So let’s start without further ado!
Switch from Beta or Release Preview Channel
You’d have to flip a switch in Settings to unenroll Windows 11 devices from the Windows Insider program if currently using Beta or Release Preview.
- Open the Settings app and go to Update & Security.
- Then select Windows Update and click Windows Insider Program.
- On the next page, expand Stop getting preview builds and flip the switch ON beside the option – “Unenroll this device when the next version of Windows releases.”
- You’ll stop receiving the preview builds when the major release of this OS launches.
- If you want to stop the preview builds instantly, click Leaving the Insider Program, given at the end of the same page.
- It will redirect you to a web page where you must click Leave the program now.
- That’s it. You’ll no longer receive preview builds.
- Next, you can check for the Windows 11 update in the Settings by following Start > Settings.
- You can also press Windows + I to open Settings.
- In the app, click Update & Security and then go to Windows Update.
- Next, click Check for Updates.
- If the stable release update is available for this newest OS, click Download/Install.
- Wait until the process ends, and then reboot your system. Windows 11 Stable Build will be installed on your laptop/PC.
Switch from Dev Channel to Windows 11 Official Build
In Dev Channel, the build number is higher than Beta or Release Channel, due to which builds released for this channel no longer match the Windows 11 experience. Hence, if you want to switch from the Dev channel to the stable build of this OS, you would need to change Dev to another Channel first. However, there are two scenarios:
Scenario A: Both Channel Build Number is Similar
To do the same, you need to check the current build number in the current channel and then check the build number in the channel you want to switch. If the build number is equal in both channels,
- Open Settings and follow Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program.
- Next, click Choose your insider settings and select the one you find similar to your channel build.
- The next update you’ll receive for your new channel.
- Once switched to Beta or Release Channel, you can follow the above method to switch from Windows Insider to Windows 11.
Scenario B: Dev Channel Build Number is higher than the other channel
If the Dev Channel build number is higher than the channel you want to move to, you’d need to perform a clean installation of Windows 11.
We’d recommend you first take a backup of all your files, folders, apps, and other data. You can also use dedicated data recovery software, such as Stellar Data Recovery Free Edition to recover all types of data from your system.
Next, do as the following instructions say:
Create Windows 11 Installation Media
- On Download Windows 11 page, click Download now under Create Windows 11 Installation Media.
- Connect the USB flash drive to your system and run the downloaded file.
- Click Accept after reading the license terms.
- Select the language and edition, and click Next.
- Choose a USB flash drive and click Next.
- Once the process ends, your bootable media drive will be ready.
Perform Clean Install of Windows 11
- Now, reboot your system with the USB bootable media. After this, Windows 11 Setup interface will show up on the screen.
- Choose Language, Time and currency formats, and Keyboard/input method.
- Next, click Install Now.
- Enter the product key for Windows 11 if you have one. Else, click ‘I don’t have the product key.’
- Choose the edition you have the license for and click Next.
- Accept the license terms and then click Next to proceed.
- On the next step, click Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).
- Choose the drive partition on which you want to install this OS and click New. If you have single partition, select the unallocated drive, click New > Apply > OK. It will create multiple partitions. You can choose the Primary partition to install Windows and click Next.
- Let the process complete, and then click Restart now. You’ll successfully download and install Windows 11 on your system.
After this, you’ll be required to complete the Windows 11 Out of Box Experience to create a user account, configure privacy, sync PC settings, and so on.
All the best possible ways to switch from Windows Insider to Windows 11 Stable Build are discussed above. Hopefully, you’ll be able to follow the steps, get this latest OS installed on your system, and enjoy a seamless experience.
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FAQs
What is the Windows Insider Program?
Windows Insider Program by Microsoft is an open software-testing program. It contains features and functionality to better support developers, customers, and IT professionals with valid Windows 10, 11, or Windows Server licenses. In addition, this program helps its users enjoy early access benefits to the pre-release builds of the OS.
Why Can’t I leave Windows Insider Program?
If you’re having a problem leaving the Windows Insider Program in Windows 11, then the possibility is that you may have the Dev Channel Build in your system currently. Microsoft doesn’t let you switch to the Beta/Release Preview Channel or leave the Insider program unless your current Build number of the Dev Channel is similar to the build number of the channel you want to move.
Can I lose my data while clean installing Windows 11?
A clean install of Windows 11 will delete all your apps, files, settings, etc. Hence, it’s always advised to back up your system data.
How do I recover my data lost due to Windows 11 installation?
You can use Stellar Data Recovery Free Edition to recover your data lost due to Windows installation. The software allows recovery for all types of files, folders, and other data free of cost. You can recover up to 1 GB of data with the free version.
Key Takeaways
- Windows 11 was initially released as an insider build, with a stable build set to be released on 5 October 2021 for public download.
- Users can easily switch from the insider build to the stable build of Windows 11 after the public release.
- To switch, users can access the settings app, navigate to the Windows Update section, and select the option to stop getting preview builds to transition to the stable build.
Windows 11 is the latest version of Windows released by Microsoft in June this year. However, the build was released as an insider build for users, and Microsoft was planning to release the stable build of Windows 11 later on. Microsoft has now confirmed that the public build of Windows 11 will be released on 5 October 2021 and you can download it from here.
Everyone using Windows 11 until now has been using the preview build of Windows 11, but after the public release, users will be able to switch to the stable build. A preview build was released to check out all the bugs on the system, and the public build will have minimum or no bugs.
How To Switch From Insider Builds To Stable Of Windows 11
After the stable build gets released, many users may want to switch from an insider build to a stable build on Windows 11. Switching to the stable build will be easier after the public build is released. If you want to switch to a stable build on Windows 11, this article will help you.
Switching From Insider Build To Stable Build On Windows 11
To switch from Insider Build to Stable Build on Windows 11, follow the steps given below-
- Firstly, open the Settings app on your PC. You can either do this by searching for Settings on the Start Menu or by pressing the Windows + I key combo.
- Now head to the Windows Update section in the left sidebar.
- On the right side, click on Windows Insider Program.
- Here you will see three options- Choose your Insider settings, Windows Insider Account, and Stop getting preview builds. Click on Stop Getting Preview Builds. You will see two options here now, unenroll this device when the next version of Windows releases and Unenroll this device immediately.
- Do not click on Unenroll this device immediately as it will clean install the latest release of Windows 10, and it will release all the data on your PC.
- You will have to click on Unenroll this device when the next version of Windows releases. This will download and install the latest Windows 11 stable build released.
Note– This is only possible if you have enrolled for Beta or Release Preview Channel. This option will be greyed out if you are using Dev Channel on Windows 11. If this is the case, you will have to fresh install Windows 11 to receive stable updates.
- After you are done, close the Settings app.
- After the Windows 11 stable build is released, your PC will download the update, and it will automatically switch to Windows 11 stable build.
What If The Option To Switch to Stable Build Is Greyed Out?
The option to switch to the stable build will be greyed out if you are on the dev channel. In this case, you will have to clean install Windows 11 on the beta channel because you cannot switch from dev channel to beta or release preview channel.
However, there is a trick that you can try, and you will be able to switch to the beta channel from the dev channel. To do so, follow the steps given below-
- In the Start Menu, search for Registry Editor and open it.
- In the Registry Editor, head to the following path-
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsSelfHost\UI\Selection
- Here, select UIBranch. Double-click on it to edit it.
- Now set the Value data to Beta and click on OK.
- After doing so, head to the following path in the Registry Editor-
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsSelfHost\Applicability
- Now, select BranchName, and double-click on it to edit it.
- Set its Value Data to Beta, and then click on OK.
- Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC.
- After you do so, head to the Settings of your PC.
- In the Settings, head to the Windows Update section in the left sidebar.
- Now click on Windows Insider Program on the right side.
- Click on Choose your Insider Settings.
- Here you will see three options- Beta Channel, Dev Channel, and Release Preview Channel. You will already be on the Beta Channel.
RELATED GUIDES:
- How to Buy and Upgrade Windows 11 License
- How To Mount Or Unmount ISO files On Windows 11
- How To Create Full System Backup in Windows 11
Conclusion
This is how you can switch from Insider build to Stable build on Windows 11. This is only possible when you are on Beta or Release Preview Channel. If you are on the Dev channel, you can follow the above steps to switch to the Beta channel.
Anurag Jainhttps://itechhacks.com
Anurag is a Senior content analyst with 4 years of experience in the industry. Based in India, He is extremely skilled at Windows related to How to Troubleshooting matters. His favorite topics are Windows 11, Android, and How To’s.