Although Windows 11/10 users can opt for the Insider Preview build and start getting the updates, you can prevent users from Insider Preview builds using this guide. It is possible to block all the users from getting Windows Insider Preview build using the Local Group Policy Editor and the Registry Editor.
Even if you use the stable version, it is possible to opt for Insider Preview and start getting updates accordingly. However, Beta and Dev build come with different problems, bugs, etc. If you do not want to get such things on your computer, and more than one people use your computer in your family, you can follow this guide to prevent them from getting Insider Preview builds. On the other hand, let’s assume that you are using a specific build of the Beta version, and you do not want to allow others to download the newer build. In such situations, you can use the same guide to get the job done.
Prevent users from getting Windows Insider Preview builds
To prevent users from getting Insider Preview builds in Windows 11/10 using Group Policy, follow these steps:
- Press Win+R to open the Run prompt.
- Type gpedit.msc and hit the Enter button.
- Navigate to Data Collection and Preview Builds in Computer Configuration.
- Double-click on the Toggle user control over Insider builds setting.
- Select the Disabled option.
- Click the OK button.
Let’s check out these steps in detail.
To get started with these steps, you need to open the Local Group Policy Editor first. For that, press Win+R to open the Run dialog, type gpedit.msc, and hit the Enter button. Once it is opened on your screen, navigate to this path:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds
On the right side, you can find a setting called Toggle user control over Insider builds. You need to double-click on this setting and choose the Disabled option.
Click the OK button to save the change.
However, if you want to revert the change or allow users to get Insider builds on your computer, you need to open the same setting and choose either Not Configured or Enabled option.
Read: How to change the Insider Channel on Windows 11 from Dev to Beta.
Block users from getting Insider Preview builds in Windows 11/10
To block users from getting Insider Preview builds in Windows 11/10 using Registry, follow these steps:
- Search for regedit in the Taskbar search box.
- Click on the search result.
- Click the Yes button.
- Navigate to Windows in HKLM.
- Right-click on Windows > New > Key.
- Name it as PreviewBuilds.
- Right-click on PreviewBuilds > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Set the name as AllowBuildPreview.
To learn more about these steps, continue reading.
At first, you have to open the Registry Editor. Although there are various methods, you can use the Taskbar search box. For that, search for regedit in the Taskbar search box, click on the individual search box and click the Yes button.
Once the Registry Editor is opened on your screen, navigate to the following path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
Right-click on Windows > New > Key and name it as PreviewBuilds.
Then, right-click on the PreviewBuilds key > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and set the name as AllowBuildPreview.
By default, it has 0 as the Value data. To block users, you need to keep the Value data as 0. However, if you want to allow users to get Insider builds, you need to set the Value data as 1 or delete the AllowBuildPreview REG_DWORD value.
How do I get rid of Windows 11 Insider Preview?
To get rid of Windows 11 Insider Preview, you need to switch to the Stable build. You can do that using the Windows Settings panel or the Settings app. For that, open Windows Update > Windows Insider Program and expand the Stop getting preview builds section. There, you can use the Unenroll this device when the next version of Windows releases option. You can also use Unenroll this device immediately option but this option requires a clean install of Windows.
Should I enable Windows Insider Program?
Whether it is Beta or Dev channel, almost all the Insider Preview builds come with some bugs that may ruin your user interface. However, the Release Preview channel is more stable than others. Therefore, if you want to get a smooth user experience without any bugs, there is no need to enable Windows Insider Program. However, if you want to try out the latest or upcoming features, you may opt for this program.
Related: How to Join or Leave Windows Insider Program and Stop getting Insider Builds.
That’s all! Hope this guide helped.
