FIX: Insiders not able to switch channels - **UPDATED 8/3/2021**

Anonymous
2021-08-02T18:50:42+00:00

Hello Windows Insiders!

Windows 11 is now in the Beta Channel, and some of you are wanting to move over from the Dev Channel. We've been getting some reports that some of you are not seeing the options to change in Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program. We have a fix that should get you back on track. Please note, this fix is for devices that are not showing the Choose your Insider Settings and Windows Insider account settings, as in the image below.

If you are seeing this, please follow the steps below to restore the missing options:

  1. If you have Bitlocker enabled, please suspend it.
  2. Click Start
  3. In the search box, type cmd
  4. In the lower right of the search results, under Command Prompt, click Run as Administrator
  5. On the UAC prompt, click OK
  6. At the elevated command prompt, type: bcdedit /set flightsigning on
  7. Press Enter
  8. At the elevated command prompt, type: bcdedit /set {bootmgr} flightsigning on
  9. Press Enter
  10. Reboot the device

You should now see the missing options:

If performing these steps to not resolve your issue, please file a new feedback item in Feedback Hub, so we can investigate.

Thank you!

-The Windows Insider Team

Windows Insider program | Windows Insider preview | Install, activate, and Windows update

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  1. Johnny55 5,155 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2021-09-05T22:36:23+00:00

    Hello Richard,

    Changes happen quickly. If you go to Dev channel, you will be at the point of no return as this channel is not tied into any specific release. This may change again next year. Build 22449 is going to become version 22xx next year. If you go to Dev, only way back is clean install.

    Beta is currently 22000.176 version 21H2 so remain in that channel for now. As soon as MS decides to move it to RP channel or Release, the channel options will change accordingly. This will give you the option of leaving Insider on a Release version of W11 when that time comes. It currently is not available in RP, only W10 is in that channel as it stands now. Soon both W10 and W11 will share RP channel.

    Yes, it does get confusing. There should be couple weeks once that change happens. Advise keeping up to date with the blogs weekly. It will happen very soon as MS has finalized release for Oct 5th for 21H2.

    Edit: What is displayed on your Windows Insider Page in Settings. Are you in the Yellow Zone by any chance? Can you move to Beta channel? Kindly post that picture as well. Appears you are compliant being offered 22449. Have you run the following elevated commands, as I think you mentioned Beta was not available. You had mentioned you could not change via registry.

    At the elevated command prompt, type and reboot after done, worth a try:

    bcdedit /set flightsigning on

    bcdedit /set {bootmgr} flightsigning on

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-09-05T21:35:28+00:00

    Also, if it were a hardware issue, why am I being offered Dev builds (that I'm not installing) rather than a notice starting that due to hardware limitations we cannot offer you Dev builds any longer? This would not be an issue if I could select which downloads/updates I wanted. Security yes, drivers maybe, dev builds NO! As it is, it's all or nothing.

    I've read the blogs and I've not seen any of this addressed. Has a bug been filed?

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-09-05T21:28:17+00:00

    I am on a beta release and have the same problem which I've documented extensively. I want to stay in Beta mode (or whatever it's called now) per the email I shared but it's stuck in Dev and other options are greyed out.

    It's not a hardware issue, as documented above. Unless Direct X 12 Ultimate is needed for office work. It says it is feature-specific - meaning gaming in the specs.

    I'd really like an answer to this. If not, I need to know what happens if I unenroll from the Insider Program since no one can explain the behavior I, and others are having.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-09-05T21:11:59+00:00

    great - how do we get preview release to show up and be able to select it?

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  5. Johnny55 5,155 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2021-09-05T18:22:39+00:00

    Hello RNG,

    What you have displayed is normal. Build 22449 is the first build of version 22xx (Even though these builds are not specified to any version). You are now at the point of no return in Dev channel. That's why other channels are greyed out.

    Beta is currently 22000.176 a 21H2 version. One cannot go back to a previous version without a total clean install. You would still have 10 days to roll-back if you want.

    Regards,

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