Sign up for early access

Test builds are early software that changes how Windows starts, so every tester sets up a way back in first. The invite email walks you through it again.

1. BitLocker recovery key. Many Windows 11 PCs encrypt the drive without you knowing, and changing boot settings can make Windows ask for the 48-digit recovery key. Keep it somewhere off this PC (your phone, a printout, or aka.ms/myrecoverykey), or suspend BitLocker while you test.
2. Create a System Restore point just before installing.
3. Back up anything you can't afford to lose.