Channels
Windows Insider Preview builds are delivered to Insiders in four different channels. Insiders in the Dev and Canary Channel receive updates prior to those in the Beta Channel, but might experience more bugs and other issues. Insiders in the Release Preview Channel do not receive updates until the version is almost available to the public, but are comparatively more stable.Version history
As with Windows 10 (since version 20H2), mainstream builds of Windows 11 are labeled "YYHX", with YY representing the two-digit year and X representing the half-year of planned release (for example, version 21H2 refers to builds which initially released in the second half of 2021).Version 21H2 (original release)
The original version of Windows 11 (also known as version 21H2 and codenamed "Sun Valley") was released in October 2021. It carries the build number 10.0.22000. The first public preview build was made available to Windows Insiders who opted in to the Dev Channel on June 28, 2021.Version 22H2 (2022 Update)
The Windows 11 2022 Update (also known as version 22H2 and codenamed "Sun Valley 2") is the first and current major update to Windows 11. It carries the build number 10.0.22621. The first preview was released to Insiders who opted in to the Dev Channel on September 2, 2021. The update began rolling out on September 20, 2022. Notable changes in the 2022 Update include: * Redesigned and new Efficiency mode feature in Task Manager * Re-added the drag and drop feature on the taskbar * Improvement to the snap layout experience * New live captions feature * New Smart App Control (SAC) feature for blocking untrusted applications * Split "Focus assist" feature into "Do not disturb" and "Focus" * Included Clipchamp as inbox app The first component update to Windows 11, version 22H2, codenamed "Moment 1", was released on October 18, 2022 with build 22621.675 and several further changes: * New tabbed browsing feature and refreshed layout of the left navigation pane in the File Explorer * New inline suggested actions feature * Re-introduced taskbar overflow feature * Improvements to the built-in Windows share window The second component update to Windows 11, version 22H2, codenamed "Moment 2," was released on February 28, 2023 with build 22621.1344 and several further changes: * Added iOS support in the Phone Link app * New Studio Effects section in the Quick Settings for NPU-compatible devices * Redesigned Quick Assist app * Added third-party apps support in the Widgets panel * Re-introduced tablet-optimized taskbar * Added support for tabs in the Notepad app * New Braille displays and input/output languages support in Narrator * New Energy Recommendations page in the Settings app * Updated touch keyboard option in the Settings app * New Tamil Anjal keyboard * Re-introduced the search box on the taskbar The third component update to Windows 11, version 22H2, codenamed "Moment 3", was released on May 24, 2023 with build 22621.1778 and several further changes: * New presence sensor privacy settings in the Settings app * New VPN icon on the taskbar * Added the ability to show a notification badge on the Start menu's user profile icon * Introduced live captions in more languages * Added the ability to create live kernel memory dumps in Task Manager * Introduced Content Adaptive Brightness Control (CABC) to desktop computers and battery powered devices * New copy button for copying two-factor authentication codes in notification toasts * New USB4 hubs and devices page in the Settings app * Re-introduced the new touch keyboard option in the Settings app * New multi-app kiosk mode * Re-introduced the ability to display seconds in the system clock on the taskbar As of build 22567, the version string has been changed from "Dev" to "22H2".Dev Channel
On September 2, 2021, Microsoft announced that Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel will receive builds directly from thers_prerelease branch, which are not matched to a specific Windows 11 release. The first build released under this strategy, build 22449, was made available to Insiders on the same day.
On February 3, 2022, Microsoft changed its plans on how they delivered builds for Windows Insiders, with Dev and Beta Channels are "parallel" active development branches, giving an option to switch from Dev to Beta Channel for a limited time. The Dev Channel builds are meant for upcoming and experimental features that may never release to general availability, whereas the Beta Channel builds are the "feature complete" builds that will make its way to the general availability for the specific Windows 11 release.
The ni_release branch was available from February 16 to May 11, 2022. Afterward, Insiders in the Dev Channel has been moved back to the rs_prerelease branch.
On March 6, 2023, Microsoft announced that Dev Channel will be rebooted, and Windows Insiders will be receiving 23000 series builds going forward from the ni_prerelease branch. The first build released under this strategy, build 23403, was made available to Insiders two days later.
Canary Channel
On March 6, 2023, Microsoft announced that Windows Insiders who were previously in the Dev Channel on 25000 series builds would be moved to the Canary Channel. The first build released under this channel, build 25314, was made available to Insiders two days later. Since April 28, 2023, Windows Insiders has been started to receive builds from thezn_release branch.
As of build 25375, the version string has been changed from "22H2" to "23H2".
See also
* Windows 10 version history * Xbox OS version historyReferences
External links