Windows 10, Microsoft’s 2015 Windows NT operating system and one that was supposed to be the “last version” of Windows ever, will be getting new features and improvements despite the OS’s rapidly approaching end-of-support date, which has been confirmed to be October 14, 2025, according to a new post from the Windows Insider Program Team that explains how it’s opening the Beta Channel for Windows Insiders who are currently on Windows 10 back up so they can properly do active feature development for the older software. Windows 10 currently enjoys a market share of nearly 69% among Windows users, while Windows 11, the latest version of the OS, is at 28%, according to the latest statistics from resources that include StatCounter.
Microsoft writes:
- “To bring new features and more improvements to Windows 10 as needed, we need a place to do active feature development with Windows Insiders. So today, we are opening the Beta Channel for Windows Insiders who are currently on Windows 10.”
- “This will allow us to try out new features for Windows 10, version 22H2, with Insiders before releasing them to all Windows 10 customers.”
- “If you are an Insider on Windows 10 today and want to try out new features for Windows 10 when we have them, we recommend that you join or switch to the Beta Channel.”
- “You can do this by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program, clicking on the current Insider Channel selection to expand and see the full list of Insider Channels, and choosing Beta Channel.”
A visual of that option:
Microsoft noted:
Features and experiences included in the Windows 10 builds we flight to the Beta Channel might not ever get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in updates to Windows 10 for everyone when they’re ready.