Microsoft Insider – Major program changes announced. The groundwork for Windows 12 is underway

Windows Insider is a special program designed for people who voluntarily decided to test upcoming changes in Microsoft’s operating systems. The American company has just announced major changes to it. The most important thing is about introducing a new update channel called Canary. There are many indications that this sets the stage for the premiere of Windows 12, which should see the light in 2024.

The American company is making changes to its Windows Insider Program. A new update channel called Canary will be available and the existing Dev Channel will be downgraded slightly. There are many indications of preparations for the release of Windows 12.

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Canary Channel is designed to test changes that require a longer implementation period. This includes major modifications to the system kernel or application programming interface (API). The new channel is aimed at technically savvy users, as updates delivered through it often contain major bugs. The internal testing process will be greatly shortened, which will make the operating system versions more unstable than in the case of the standard test channel. Nor will there be complete documentation of the proposed changes.

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Microsoft is also introducing a number of tweaks to the already existing Dev update channel. First of all, its importance will be slightly reduced. Only those updates that are externally verified as part of the Canary Channel will go there. All Windows Insider Dev Channel members will be automatically moved to the most recent test category. Staying within the Dev Channel should be possible, but would require a system reinstall. The Beta Channel and Release Preview are intended to remain unchanged and are recommended for most users who want to see the most important changes made to the system before others.

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While it may seem that the insertion of the canary duct is a purely technical operation, there are many indications that something else is behind it. In this way, Microsoft is most likely preparing the ground for testing solutions that will be implemented in the next version of Windows. People familiar with the plans of the American company confirm that the development of the system will now proceed in two ways. On the one hand, you should pay attention to Windows 11 updates. On the other hand, the Canary channel will be used to test solutions that will become the basis for Windows 12. Given that Microsoft announced last year a return to the three-year cycle to release subsequent large versions of the system, we should see Premiere in 2024.

Source: Microsoft, Windows Central