Microsoft is splitting up Windows 11’s highly anticipated preview channel twice as it begins testing the next major OS platform release
3 weeks ago
2 minutes read
Microsoft has announced that it is splitting the Windows Insider Canary Channel in two as it begins testing the next platform release under a new series of build numbers that precede the current build numbers of 25H2, 26H1, and 26H2. This is the first of many preview builds that lay the foundation for next year’s 27H2 release, which we expect will be shipped on top of the new platform release, or “core” of Windows as Microsoft calls it.
Canary Channel isolation is not a new concept in the Windows Insider Program. Microsoft had a feature called “Skip Ahead” that it used to offer to Windows Insiders in its highly tested preview channel, which allowed users to skip ahead to the next major Windows platform release. This is exactly the same, except it’s not called Skip Forward.
Instead, Microsoft buried the release of the next stage under the Optional Features area of Windows Update. If you are already subscribed to Canary Channel, you will not automatically receive this new build, build 29531. Instead, you will always check for build 26H1 until you choose to manually opt-in to receiving the next generation platform build.
New releases for the Windows platform don’t come often these days. Windows 11 version 26H1 is the first version of Windows 11 to receive a new platform release since version 24H2, and before that, there was version 22H2. Since version 26H1 is only available on Snapdragon X2 SoCs, it won’t be until 2027 with version 27H2 that everyone gets the release of the new platform again.
I suspect that what Microsoft is testing now in the Canary Channel is the initial foundation building for this next platform release. The current platform release in testing is codenamed Krypton, but I don’t expect this platform release to ship in any meaningful way. Given that the 27H2 is expected to launch in the second half of next year, I would guess that the next platform release to ship will be codenamed Strontium.
The release of the Strontium platform is expected to be completed in the first half of 2027, which will make it a strong contender to support the release of 27H2 more than next year. Microsoft has already confirmed that it will bring 26H1 and 26H2 users to the release of the same platform next year, under the Windows core, which I expect will be Strontium.
As is unfortunately always the case with these bleeding edge platforms, Insiders who choose to test them will now see a reduction in features as Microsoft is no longer developing advanced features on top of an improved platform build. Active improvements in features occur over the release of the shipping platform, which is currently Germanium (version 24H2/25H2), so it takes a while for new features to arrive in Canary Channel builds.
Are you a Windows Insider?
Which Windows Insider channel are you on? Let us know in our survey and let us know in the comments if you intend to switch to next-generation platform architecture!
Join us Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your information and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
