With the launch of Visual Studio 2026 Insiders, our team is embracing the reality of a rapidly evolving developer landscape head-on. That’s why with the launch of Visual Studio 2026 we’ve introduced a new release cadence designed for developers who move fast, iterate quickly, and expect their tools to keep pace.
Insiders Channel
The Insiders Channel delivers monthly updates packed with experimental features, performance upgrades, and UI innovations. It’s where we test for the future. The Insiders Channel replaces the "Preview Channel" that was available with Visual Studio 2022. This channel will be the first to receive experimental features like Copilot integrations, UI redesigns, and performance upgrades. Monthly cadence ensures fast feedback loops and continuous refinement. Side-by-side install with other channels is still supported, so you can test without disrupting your primary workflow.
Stable Channel (coming later this year)
The Stable Channel will eventually replace the "Current Channel" that was available with Visual Studio 2022, features will flow into the Stable Channel after being available in the Insiders Channel. The Stable Channel will be available when Visual Studio 2026 becomes generally available. Even if you're on the Stable Channel, you can still explore upcoming capabilities through Preview Features. Unlike the Insiders Channel, Preview Features let you toggle individual experiments on or off at your discretion. Just head to Tools > Manage Preview Features to browse the list.
LTSC - Long-Term Servicing Channel (coming later this year)
While the Insiders and Stable Channels focus on velocity and continuous improvement, Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) is built for those who need their development environment to remain steady and dependable over time. We’re planning to introduce a Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) specifically for developers using the Professional, Enterprise, and Build Tools editions of Visual Studio 2026. More details on availability and servicing timelines will be shared soon. In the meantime, we encourage developers to explore the Insiders Channel to preview what’s coming.
I am excited for what’s ahead, and we’re building Visual Studio to help this generation of developers meet this uncertain future.
