How to moving Insider Channel from Experimental (26H2) to RP (26H2)?

Question

How to moving Insider Channel from Experimental (26H2) to RP (26H2)?

Sammy Anders 0

I'm now in Experimental (26H2) build 26340.9502 and i wish to move to RP (26H2). Already tried to select 'RP' option on the Windows Insider settings, but still stuck on this build. How i can switch channels without resetting my laptop?

Sammy Anders 0 Reputation points

2026-10-07T03:51:10.77+00:00

I also want to add: AI didn't understand anything about Windows build numbering system. Both Experimental (26H2) (build 26340) and RP (26H2, plus release, build 26300) builds are on the same core (build 26100), it's there because of enablement packages (eKBs). I think this should be fixed by a simple eKB(s) removal, but which and how?

3 answers

Your answer

Sammy Anders 0 Reputation points

2026-10-07T03:51:10.77+00:00

I also want to add: AI didn't understand anything about Windows build numbering system. Both Experimental (26H2) (build 26340) and RP (26H2, plus release, build 26300) builds are on the same core (build 26100), it's there because of enablement packages (eKBs). I think this should be fixed by a simple eKB(s) removal, but which and how?

Answer 1

A switch without reset is only supported within the same Windows core version. The blocker here is that Experimental (Future Platforms) cannot move directly to another channel or leave the program without a clean installation.

What is supported:

Open Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program.
Select Choose your Insider settings.
Select Release Preview.
The next update should come from the new channel only if the current build is eligible for channel switching on the same Windows core version.

What applies to the current case:

If the current Experimental build is part of Future Platforms, switching to Release Preview without resetting is not supported.
In that case, moving to RP requires:
1. A clean installation of Windows.
2. After reinstall, go to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program and enroll again in Release Preview.

Related limitation:

Windows core versions matter. If a device is on a higher development core, it cannot go back to a lower one without a clean reinstall.

Answer 2

Huh, an AI knows this problem better.

Just in case, you can backup your personal data. Altrough in my case i don't need it at all and my data still safe, you could do it just to be safe.
Type in the PowerShell with Admin access:
```
   Get-HotFix | Where-Object HotFixID -eq "KB5122776"
```
KB5122776 is the eKB used to increase the build number from 26300 to 26340, so this eKB is what to remove. Actually you can skip this as well, but you should check if you have this file installed on your system before continue further.
Either on the same PowerShell window (which i did) or on separate CMD with Admin access, type this:
```
   wusa /uninstall /kb:5122776
```
This for uninstall that eKB. After this, follow the on-screen confirmations and instructions.
After restarting, you can switch to RP channel and check for updates.

Answer 3

Hello Sammy Anders,

Thanks for coming back with the solution. You wanted to move to Release Preview without resetting your laptop, so it’s good to hear you managed that while keeping your data.

Your result is consistent with Microsoft’s distinction between ordinary Experimental builds and Experimental (Future Platforms): same-core channel switching is generally supported for the former. In your case, removing the enablement package allowed you to proceed without a reset.

I appreciate you identifying the KB and sharing the steps you used, including the backup precaution. That detail will be helpful to others facing the same situation.

For reference: Microsoft’s guidance on switching Insider channels.