Little over a month after it was first announced, Microsoft announced the first official beta for Windows 11. Earlier builds had been available via the experimental ‘Dev’ channel, but this is the first version considered stable enough for a more widespread release.
However, many people who downloaded Windows 11 as soon as possible have reported problems with switching to the ‘Beta’ channel, where the latest build is available. Microsoft acknowledged the problem soon after and has now issued a solution via the official support forum.
Moving between Insider Program channels usually requires a full reinstall of the OS, but the option to quickly switch between them is available in Settings for a “short period of time”. A drop-down menu is available in the Windows Insider Program settings, but it’s not displaying for some users. Instead, the only option is to stop getting preview builds altogether.
How to get the Insider Program toggle to appear
Microsoft’s official post provides a relatively simple solution, but it does involve executing commands. Unlike the registry, this doesn’t make any permanent changes to your PC. Just make sure you enter the text exactly as you see it to avoid any unintended consequences.
- Click the search bar in the taskbar and type ‘cmd’
- The Command Prompt tool will be displayed. From the right-side of the Start Menu, click ‘Run as administrator’
- From the pop-up that appears, click ‘Yes’ to allow the app to make changes to your device
- In the Command Prompt window, type ‘bcdedit /set flightsigning on’ and hit enter
- ‘The operation completed successfully’ should now be displayed. Now, type ‘bcdedit /set {bootmgr} flightsigning on’ and hit enter again
- Restart your PC and you should now see the option reappear in the Windows Insider Program settings
If you’re still not seeing that option, it might be that your PC or laptop doesn’t meet Windows 11’s new hardware requirements. These weren’t being enforced on builds in the Dev Channel, but you’ll need to meet the minimum in the Beta Channel. Learn more in our dedicated guide: Will my PC run Windows 11?
A version of this article was originally published in German on our sister site, PC-Welt.
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Author: Anyron Copeman, Senior Staff Writer
As the resident expert on Windows, Senior Staff Writer Anyron’s main focus is PCs and laptops. Much of the rest of his time is split between smartphones, tablets and audio, with a particular focus on Android devices.