Toggle user control over Insider builds
This `REG_DWORD` value controls whether users can enroll the device for Windows Insider Preview builds through Windows Settings.
since 0.9.8.11
Purpose
Show registry keys (1)
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\PreviewBuilds\AllowBuildPreview
This REG_DWORD value controls whether users can enroll the device for Windows Insider Preview builds through Windows Settings.
The documented value data has the following meanings:
0: Users cannot make the device available for preview builds. The corresponding Windows Insider controls are unavailable in the Settings app.1: Users may enroll the device to download and install preview builds.2: The policy is treated as not configured, leaving user control available.
Values 1 and 2 do not install a preview build by themselves. They only allow users to access the Windows Insider settings and enroll the device.
Notes
Security
If a user enrolls the device, it can receive prerelease operating-system builds that are still under development. Expired or outdated preview builds can present a security risk; Microsoft therefore states that devices running them need to remain current within their Insider channel.
Receiving Insider Preview builds directly from Windows Update also requires additional diagnostic data. Consequently, actually moving the device to a preview build can increase the diagnostic data sent to Microsoft. The registry value alone does not enable optional diagnostic data or install a preview build.
Possible side effects
After user-initiated enrollment, the device can receive prerelease versions of Windows. These builds can contain unfinished or changed functionality and may differ from released Windows versions in stability, driver compatibility, or application compatibility.
Blocking user control does not necessarily remove a preview build that is already installed. Depending on the installed build, returning to a released Windows version can require a rollback or clean installation.
Notes
This is a legacy, device-scoped policy from AllowBuildPreview.admx. Microsoft lists it as applicable beginning with Windows 10, version 1507, but supports it only through Windows 10, version 1703.
For later Windows 10 versions, Microsoft directs administrators to the separate “Manage preview builds” policy. That policy uses different policy values and a different registry key, so its behavior must not be attributed to AllowBuildPreview.
Microsoft documentation
Microsoft Learn: System Policy CSP – AllowBuildPreview
Microsoft Learn: Troubleshooting Windows Insider Preview builds