After Microsoft made a change to the channels for Windows 11 Insiders, some are now getting confused. Therefore, we would like to list the current status, which version is currently used where and for what.
[Update 4. Mai 2024]: Microsoft has partially reorganized the channels. The current version for everyone is Windows 11 23H2. The Windows 11 24H2 26100 is ready and is also getting updates, but it won't be distributed to everyone until September. The Dev Insider currently serves as a test version for 24H2.
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Without being an insider
- Retail channel: Anyone still using Windows 11 21H2 22000 is on the way no More security updates. A change to the current 23H2 is necessary.
- Retail channel: The Windows 11 22H2 is traveling with the 22621. The new functions of the “Moment 4 Update” are currently included here. This version receives the security update on the 2nd Tuesday of the month and an optional update as a C update on the 4th Tuesday of the month. These updates are for Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2 depending on the version installed.
- Retail channel: The Windows 11 23H2 is now the current version. This is still based on Windows 11 22H2 and the new functions are only activated via the enablement package (KB5027397). Here too, a security update is provided on the 2nd Tuesday of the month and an optional update as a C update on the 4th Tuesday of the month. These updates are for Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2. Windows 11 22H2 will no longer receive optional updates from March 2024. The last security updates will be delivered for the 22H2 Home and Pro in September 2024.
The insider channels
- Release preview channel: Windows 11 23H2 is currently used here. The difference here is that the Release Preview Insiders are more likely to receive and test the optional update (C update). If everything is OK with the update, it will be released in the retail channel on the 4th Tuesday of the month. With the optional February update, the Moment 5 update will also arrive here.
- Beta channel: Here Microsoft is currently using Windows 11 22635. This version is created in a different branch and the updates are not Compatible with the release preview or retail channel. In this version, changes are tried out, which will then be available in February / March as a Moment 5 update in the release preview and then in retail.
- Dev channel: NEW: The Dev channel has now been upgraded from build number 23xxx to the 26120 upgraded. Here are the new features of the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 tested. Winver already shows the correct version 24H2 here.
- Canary channel: The Canary Canal has been redesigned as a “playground”. “Old” insiders will definitely remember “Skip Ahead”. Here we continued with the 259xx. Currently 26200. The Canary will soon be available on the 27xxx change. The first language packs for this (27584.1.4.0) are already available on the servers.
It is no longer possible to estimate which functions will appear, where and when. Since some functions are not dependent on the system itself, they can certainly be integrated into retail early by Dev Insider or Canary.
A notice: It may well be that Microsoft will make changes to the channels soon. Brandon LeBlanc announced on X (formerly Twitter) that a new overview for the individual channels will be published soon. So it remains exciting and we will then update this post.
And again as a note:
- Switching between retail and release preview works without a new installation
- Switching from beta to release preview or retail can be done with an in-place upgrade if you leave the beta channel in advance.
- Changing from Dev Insider and Canary only works by reinstalling them. Because the build numbers are higher here (259xx <-> 226xx).