Ever since its release in 2015, Windows 10 has remained a firm computing favourite for millions of PC users around the world. Despite Microsoft introducing the updated Windows 11 back in 2021, Windows 10 remains the most used computer operating system globally – which is why many fans are dismayed that Microsoft plans to stop supporting it from 14 October 2025.
That’s the date that Windows 10 will cease to get free security updates, with Microsoft pushing hard for PC owners to update their machines to Windows 11, or buy an entirely new computer to get the latest software if their existing hardware doesn’t have the minimum specifications to get the free upgrade.
Now there’s another sign that the Windows 10 train is slowly coming to a halt. Microsoft has announced via a blog post it is closing down the Windows 10 Beta Channel (as spotted by TechRadar), a scheme users could join to receive new features earlier than the general PC-using public. This helps Microsoft see if things are working properly before pushing them out to everyone.
Microsoft released a new build of Windows 10 to people on both the Beta Channel and different Release Preview Channel on 14 November but noted: “this will be the last time we release a Windows 10 build to the Beta Channel as we will be shutting down the Beta Channel for Windows 10.
“Insiders on Windows 10 in the Beta Channel will be moved over to the Release Preview Channel, and we will continue to release builds for Windows 10 in the Release Preview Channel only going forward.”
This is yet another sign that another way to get new features and updates for Windows 10 is closing down.
“We recommend customers prepare for Windows 10 end of support by moving to Windows 11 today.”
This echoes the recent update Microsoft made to its official advice for unsupported versions of Windows, which suggests owners of such hardware should simply buy a new PC in order to get Windows 11.
Microsoft recently confirmed that the only way for the Windows 10 faithful to remain on the software and also continue to get software updates will be to join a paid $30 (£24) per year program.
The last new features for those on the Beta Channel are hardly earth-shattering. The main update is that you’ll now see Microsoft Store app suggestions in your Start menu, which amounts to more adverts on your paid-for operating system. Luckily you can turn them off by going to Settings > Personalisation > Start and then turning off the toggle for Show suggestions occasionally in Start.
“Insiders in the Beta Channel on Windows 10 who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Updated & Security > Windows Update. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your device over time once they are ready.
