How to confirm whether my Windows 11 Insider Preview build is using the renewed flight certificate after the August 11, 2026 expiration?

增寿 侯 0 Reputation points
2026-11-10T08:34:30.7966667+00:00

I am using a Windows 11 Insider Preview build. Earlier this year, Microsoft announced that the Windows Insider Preview flight certificate would expire on August 11, 2026, and that devices needed to be updated to a build carrying the renewed certificate. I have already checked for updates in Settings > Windows Update and installed the available updates, but I am not sure whether my current build is now using the renewed certificate. Current system information: - Edition: Windows 11 Insider Preview - Version: [fill in your version, for example 25H2 / 26H1 / 26H2] - OS Build: [fill in your OS Build, for example 26220.xxxx] - Insider channel: [Beta / Experimental / Release Preview] - winver output: [paste the full text shown in the winver dialog] Could you please confirm how I can verify whether my device is already on a build with the renewed Insider certificate? If it is still on the expired certificate, what is the recommended way to recover it?

Windows Insider program | Windows Insider preview | Install, activate, and Windows update
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  1. Vikki-T 13,945 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-11-11T09:09:04.8966667+00:00

    Hi 增寿 侯,

    I understand why you want to verify this, especially since installing all available updates does not clearly show which flight certificate the device is using.

    Because the Version, OS Build, Insider channel, and winver result in your post are still placeholders, it is not yet possible to confirm the certificate status of your specific device. Please press Windows + R, enter winver, and share the complete Version and OS Build shown there. Also confirm the channel listed under Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program.

    The recommended verification method is to compare that information with the official release notes for the same channel and build branch. For example, Microsoft confirms that Beta build 26220.9022 includes the renewed flight certificate.

    If your build predates the renewal build for its channel and Windows Update no longer offers a newer build, please do not switch channels or reinstall Windows immediately. Share the exact build and channel first so the appropriate recovery option, such as an update, repair installation, or current Insider ISO, can be determined without unnecessary data loss.

    Official reference: Windows 11 Insider Beta Preview Build 26220.9022 Thank you so much for your understanding.

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-11-10T08:34:51.6266667+00:00

    To confirm that the renewed Windows Insider flight certificate is present, verify that the device is on a build specifically called out as containing the renewed certificate.

    1. Check the current build number.
      • Open PowerShell and run: Get-WmiObject win32_operatingsystem | select Version
      • Or use winver.
    2. Compare the build against the release notes for the Insider channel. Builds in the provided release notes that explicitly include the renewed flight certificate are:
      • Beta channel: Build 26220.9022 or later
      • Experimental channel: Build 26300.9032 or later
      • Beta (26H1): Build 28020.2623
      • Experimental (26H1): Build 28120.2630
      • Experimental (Future Platforms): Build 29634.1000
    3. If the device is on one of those builds or a later build in that channel line, it is using a build that includes the renewed certificate.
    4. If the device is still on an older build, update before August 11, 2026. The release notes state that the current flight certificate expires on that date and that the device should be updated to a build containing the renewed certificate before then.

    If updates were already installed but the expected build is not present:

    1. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program.
    2. Confirm the registered Insider account is connected.
    3. Confirm the device is enrolled in the expected channel.
    4. If the settings are correct but updates still are not arriving, use the Windows Insider troubleshooting guidance for not receiving updates.

    For the specific 25H2 Beta path, the accepted guidance in Microsoft Q&A states that the latest Beta build with the new expiry date is 26220.9022. For the Dev/Experimental path, accepted guidance states that devices on build 26300 should be offered 26300.9032, which updates the expiry.

    The provided context does not include a direct end-user method to inspect the certificate itself in Windows and confirm it independently of the build number. The supported verification method here is to confirm that the installed Insider build is one of the builds documented as including the renewed flight certificate.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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