Like the Windows Insider program, the Office Insider program is an ongoing preview program for Office 365 subscribers (both Windows and Mac), providing early access to the latest Office features. It's open to anyone who has an Office 365 subscription (administrators need to enable First Release on business accounts before business users can install the Insider Builds).
If you want to file bug reports, you'll need to "upgrade" to an Insider build. Then you can go to File, Support, Contact Support. I highly recommend doing this if you feel a behavior is a bug.
Current Channel (Preview) is the current name for Monthly Channel (Targeted) and is the original Insider program. Users in this ring will receive an update about a week or so before the official production release each month, and then the official production release when it goes out (2 updates per month). These two are generally very close in terms of features and fixes.
Beta channel delivers weekly updates from the development branch. There will be features available to users in Beta Channel that won't be available to Current Channel (Preview) or Current Channel. Because this build is from the development branch, these users always be a version ahead of the official production release.
You can check to see which update channel you are currently using in File, Office Account (or Account in Word or Excel). The update channel is listed below the suite name and the version / build numbers next to the About button.
Join Office for Windows Insider
Microsoft 365 consumer versions should have the option to use Beta or Preview versions on the Update Options button in File > Office Account in Outlook (or File > Account in any office app. If not, use the registry options below.
Office 365 business and enterprise users get the Insider Build through First Release program.
To switch from Insider Slow to Insider Fast, you'll need to set the following registry value:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\common\officeupdate
String: updatebranch
Value: BetaChannel
To choose one of the other update channels, use Value in the first column in the updatebranch, instead of InsiderFast.
Below are the valid values for UpdateBranch, listed in order of fastest/newest updates to slowest. Either the old or new value will work.
If you don't want to edit the registry yourself, I have links to prepared .reg files are available. (Right click on the link and choose Save link.) Or use the command line under the Channel name. Because the keys are in local machine hive you need to use an elevated prompt, i.e. Run as Administrator.
| UpdateBranch Value | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| New | Old | Link | |
| BetaChannel | InsiderFast | Beta | Now called the Beta Channel. This channel gets all the newest features first. Was previously known as Office Insider, Insider Channel, or Insider Fast. |
To use this command line, type cmd on the start menu and open it using Run as Administratorreg add HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\common\officeupdate /v updatebranch /t REG_SZ /d BetaChannel | |||
| CurrentPreview | Insiders | Current Channel (Preview) | This is now called Current Channel (Preview). Updates released approximately 1 to 2 weeks before available on the current channel. Was previously known as Insider Slow, Monthly Channel (Targeted), or First Release for Current Channel |
To use this command line, type cmd on the start menu and open it using Run as Administratorreg add HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\common\officeupdate /v updatebranch /t REG_SZ /d CurrentPreview | |||
| Current | Monthly | Monthly release | Features and updates are released monthly, as soon as they are ready but not on a set schedule. |
To use this command line, type cmd on the start menu and open it using Run as Administratorreg add HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\common\officeupdate /v updatebranch /t REG_SZ /d Current | |||
| MonthlyEnterprise | Business | Monthly Enterprise release | Added May 2020. New Office features and updates are released once a month, on the second Tuesday of the month. Same as Monthly channel but on a more predictable schedule. |
To use this command line, type cmd on the start menu and open it using Run as Administratorreg add HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\common\officeupdate /v updatebranch /t REG_SZ /d MonthlyEnterprise | |||
| SemiAnnualPreview | Targeted | SemiAnnual (Preview) | Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) (was First Release for Deferred) Feature updates are available 3 months before the Semiannual channel, on the second Tuesday in March and September. |
To use this command line, type cmd on the start menu and open it using Run as Administratorreg add HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\common\officeupdate /v updatebranch /t REG_SZ /d SemiAnnualPreview | |||
| SemiAnnual | Broad | SemiAnnual | SemiAnnual Channel (was Deferred Channel) Features are added or updated in the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel twice a year, on the second Tuesday in January and July. Security updates are monthly, on the second Tuesday. |
To use this command line, type cmd on the start menu and open it using Run as Administratorreg add HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\common\officeupdate /v updatebranch /t REG_SZ /d SemiAnnual | |||
Join Office 2016 for Mac Insider
To join the Office for Mac insider program, open an Office 2016 for Mac application then click Help, Check for Updates. In the Microsoft AutoUpdate dialog box, select Join the Office Insider program to get early access to new releases check box and choose between Fast or Slow updates.
The iOS, Android and Windows Mobile apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) are also available to "Insiders".
More Information
More information on the Insider program is available at Be an Office Insider
What's new for Office Insiders (Microsoft Office)
Update history for Office Insider for Windows desktop
Overview of update channels for Microsoft 365 Apps - Deploy Office | Microsoft Docs
More information on the Insider program for Office for Mac is available at Welcome to the Office Insider for Mac community!
Hi
Since MS have changed the names of there products/ channels, I guess this article is outdated. If possible, please update the article to switch between 'Insiders' and 'Current' channels.
Thanks so much. I was looking for this... a load! I was looking around, everywhere to see how to install Office if your with a school. This is a great tutorial: and it works. The registry links work because Office is downloading for me now. Great work!