I'm through having to deal with the disruptions of having to upgrade Windows Insider Beta or Dev Channel releases.

You may be forced into doing a clean install.įrom experience, this is why I have decided to 'bite the bullet' and only use Retail or Release Preview channel build ISOs sourced from. Since Windows 11 on ARM is technically flagged as an unsupported platform by Microsoft, the Insider Program may not have options that will allow you to upgrade Dev Channel builds and keep your files, apps, and settings. Microsoft recommends that the Beta or Release Preview channels are more appropriate due to their stability. They used to provide Release Preview channel versions (which are 'early access' versions and closest to what will really be released in an upcoming version of Windows) but no longer do.ĭev channel builds are IMO the worst choice of the three as they may not upgrade easily. Unfortunately the Windows on ARM Insider Preview VHDX files are either Beta Channel or Dev Channel. Here's a cheat sheet to what they are from : The Windows Insider program has 3 types of builds available, and all are pre-release builds with varying degrees of supportability (that is, if you are running on a Microsoft supported platform.) Yes, you are on a Release Preview build but not the Release Preview channel. But as you've found there are strings attached to those releases. It's just that for less technical people, the Insider Preview VHDX file is more attractive. You can use a Retail (aka officially released, aka Generally Available aka 'stable' release). You do not need to install an Insider Preview release on the Tech Preview.

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