Microsoft reopens Windows 10 beta testing for ‘new features’ and improvements

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 in October 2025, but the company is now taking the unusual step of reopening its Windows 10 beta program to test new features and improvements.

Windows 10 already has the AI ​​Copilot feature that was originally exclusive to Windows 11, and it may very well get other features soon. “To bring new features and more improvements to Windows 10 as needed, we need a place to actively develop features with Windows Insiders,” explains Microsoft’s Windows Insider team. in a blog post. “So today we are opening the Beta Channel to Windows Insiders who are currently on Windows 10.”

Microsoft hasn’t revealed what additional Windows 10 features it plans to test next, but Windows Insiders can opt into the beta channel to get them early. Crucially, Windows 10’s end of support date, October 14, 2025, still remains unchanged. “Joining the Beta Channel on your Windows 10 PC does not change this,” says Microsoft.

Microsoft originally said this was done with major Windows 10 updates last year, before its change in approach to bring more features to an operating system that won’t be officially supported for about 16 months. The software giant describes this change as a way to “ensure everyone can get the most value from their current Windows PC.”

Consumers using Windows 10 will also receive paid security updates for the first time once support for the operating system ends in October 2025. Microsoft recently revealed that businesses will need to pay $61 per device for a year of security updates . That fee doubles to $122 in the second year and then doubles again in the third year to $244. Pricing for the consumer security updates has not yet been revealed, with Microsoft promising it “will be shared at a later date.”

Microsoft continues to try to get consumers to upgrade to Windows 11, but millions of PCs cannot officially upgrade to Windows 11 due to its strict hardware requirements and Microsoft’s security effort with its latest operating system. Windows 11 is only compatible with CPUs released in 2018 and onwards and devices that support TPM security chips.

Windows 11 usage lagged behind Windows 10, with StatCounter Listing Windows 11 represents nearly 28 percent of all Windows version market share as of May 2024. Windows 10 is still at 68 percent, nine years after its 2015 release.