The Windows Insider Program is not what it used to be anymore, insiders agree

The Windows Insider Program is quite complex. It currently has several channels, including Beta, Dev, Canary, and Preview, that feature new Windows capabilities at different stages of development.

However, despite the Program turning 10 recently, and despite the relatively big community, some Windows Insiders agree that the program is not what it used to be anymore.

On Reddit, for example, such a topic has become a place where many Insiders give their honest opinions on the Program, and it’s not exactly reasonable. The truth? Windows 11 might have ruined it.

Here’s what a passionate Insider says about the program:

Microsoft started the Insider Program 10 years ago as way for worldwide tech-savvy users to become Beta Testers and test drive new features and changes WAY BEFORE the general public. Late in the Windows 10 cycle they began doing A/B feature testing which effectively defeated the purpose of the then-Fast Ring.

(You could have the latest and greatest build and not get any of the new announced features, making Fast Ring pointless). — For example, I NEVER got to test the “Sets” tabbed Explorer feature in 2017, it never showed up for me no matter how many reinstalls or restarts I did…)

With Windows 11 they screwed up the Program further by introducing Controlled Feature Rollouts. They introduced also a “get new updates first” toggle in WU which, thanks to CFR, is partially pointless as well. Because turning that toggle on doesnt mean you will get the new stuff to test right away.

And the final nail in the coffin is the fact that some times new features and changes are shipped to consumers before they are shipped to Insiders in any of the 3 channels. I predict some time soon in the near future MSft is going to end the Insider Program.

Other Insiders agree that the main issue of the Windows Insider Program is the A/B testing, and while some understand the necessity of such a rollout, all Insiders think it’s unfair that only some experience a certain feature.

I fully understand what A/B testing is used for and why, but the most unstable channel (Canary nowadays, used to be Dev/Insider Fast in the past) shouldn’t have any of this, period, if you want that, do it on the lower channels. New features should appear in the unstable channels first and gradually rollout to the more stable channels, like it used to be on earlier Windows 10 days, not this mess that we have now, where some features already on stable still are nowhere to be seen on Canary.

If I’m so desparate for a feature locked behind AB testing I use vivetool (I heard it messes up with telemetry but I only use it for tiny features like battery percentage and open explorer tabs instead of windows)

Microsoft’s rollout of features to the Windows Insider Program has been quite confusing, so Insiders are rightfully concerned. The Redmond-based tech giant has introduced a normal rollout and a gradual rollout for Insiders. Additionally, the Dev and Canary Channels often overlap, confusing some even more.

What are your thoughts about this?