Microsoft released Launcher Preview back in January, bringing to users a new, pre-release version of Microsoft Launcher that was built on a new codebase. At launch, the app did not contain some features already present in the beta and stable versions of the offering. However, with the preview version maturing, the beta version of the app was updated to version 6, therefore putting both the preview and beta on the same version, albeit with a few differences owing to the two being different builds.
Then, users began receiving notifications about the discontinuation of the Preview in July, with a prompt suggesting that they download the new version. Just a day after the reports, Microsoft began rolling out Launcher 6 to all users. Now, Microsoft has provided a little more information about the deprecation of the preview, on the Tech Community forums.
The company says that users have until the end of August to move to the beta or stable versions of the Launcher and that the Preview will be phased out by then. However, since version 6 is gradually rolling out, not all users will have received the latest version in the stable branch yet. Therefore, Preview users that do not have the latest version will be unable to import settings into the new app. Those users will have to wait till later in August till the latest version is made available to everyone.
It is not clear if Launcher Preview will cease to function after August, or if the company will only stop serving any updates. However, it is best for those still on the Preview to move to the beta or stable versions. You can head to Settings > About Microsoft Launcher to check if you are on version 6. Those that don’t see the update yet should receive it sooner rather than later.
