Microsoft Issues New Windows 11 23H2 Preview Build to the Beta Channel

Those with PCs enrolled in the Windows 11 Insider Program’s Beta channel can optionally move forward to testing 24H2 builds now. But for those who have not yet done that, Microsoft today issued the KB5052100 cumulative update, which updates a Windows 11-based PC enrolled in the Beta channel to Windows 11 version 23H2 build 22635.4880.

“This build will only be provided to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel who did not upgrade to receiving updates based on Windows 11 version 24H2,” the latest Windows Insider Blog post explains. “This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes that improve the overall experience for Insiders running this build on their PCs.”

For now, the Beta channel is being used to test updates coming to Windows 11 version 23H2, while the Dev channel is used for testing updates to the newer 24H2. But last week, Microsoft announced a temporary window during which those with PCs in the Beta channel could opt into 24H2 updates and receive the same updates going out to the Dev channel. Additionally, those in the Dev channel can move those PCs into the Beta channel during this window so they can continue testing 24H2 updates. Sometime soon, the Dev channel will move onto the next release, presumably 25H2, and Beta will be on 24H2.

But that day is not today. And so those in the Beta channel who remained on 23H2 have this new update. There are no new OS features, but it does include the new version of the Paint app that consolidates all the new AI-based features under a single Copilot button/menu. This Paint update is also rolling out to the Release Preview channel, indicating that its stable release is weeks away or less.