Windows 11 download, stable version, coming to your device; ditch the old, get the new, here’s how to do that

Microsoft Windows 11 preview builds were released earlier on the ‘unstable’ Dev channel. Now, a newer version is coming. Here’s how to sign up to receive Windows Insider builds of Windows 11 in six easy steps.

Microsoft Windows 11 was announced last month when the company took the wraps off its first major OS update since Windows 10 was launched six years ago. Windows 11 is rumoured to arrive in October, but testers who want to try out the new operating system don’t have to wait until then, thanks to the Windows Insider program. Microsoft has already released preview builds for users to try out, on the ‘unstable’ Dev channel, that show off some of the new features on the next version of Microsoft’s operating system.

After pushing out testing builds to users who are part of the Windows Insider Program on the Dev channel (which receives updates first, at the cost of some stability) the company is finally gearing up to roll out preview builds to the beta channel, according to a new report. This means that users would be able to download the company’s upcoming operating system version in beta form later this month.

Windows Latest spotted the company’s response to a user asking about the estimated time of the arrival of the Windows 11 beta preview version, stating that it would arrive later this month. According to the report, it looks like users might also be able to download ISO files of the Windows 11 installation media once the company pushes the testing version to the beta channel later this month.

While users can sign up for the Windows Insider Program, they must keep in mind that preview builds can be unstable, especially if they are from the Dev channel (or less frequently from the beta channel). Running into critical issues can cause the device to stop working completely, so most preview builds should only be installed on spare devices.

Here’s how to sign up to receive Windows Insider builds of Windows 11 for your computer:

Step 1) Make sure you are signed in to your Microsoft account on Windows. If you don’t have one, create one and sign in.

Step 2) Read and then accept the terms of our Program Agreement and Privacy Statement and submit.

Step 3) Save all your data and close all your apps, then go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program. Click the Get Started button and pick your account.

Step 4) Choose your channel to receive builds of Windows 11 -- there are three rings, namely Dev, beta and Release Preview.

Step 5) Confirm the program terms and Privacy Statement, then tap Restart Now or Restart Later to begin receiving new Windows Insider builds.

Step 6) Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select the Check for updates button to download the latest Insider Preview build.

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