# Enable Early Access (Beta) Package URLs

## Description

Starting with FileWave 16.4.0, self-managed Early Access customers can enable Beta package URLs on the FileWave Server. Early Access, also shown as **Beta** in FileWave Central, allows package sources that use the server runtime environment to access Beta packages, including Integrated Custom Package and Integrated Client Upgrade package sources.

<p class="callout warning">Use this only for FileWave Early Access/Beta testing when directed by FileWave. Early Access packages are intended for validation before general availability.</p>

<p class="callout info">This setting is changed on the FileWave Server. Self-managed customers need shell access to the server. Hosted FileWave customers should open a Technical Support case so FileWave Operations can handle the hosted-server Early Access process.</p>

## Enable Early Access package URLs

1. On the FileWave Server, edit the environment file:

```bash
/usr/local/etc/filewave/.env
```

2. Add this line on its own line:

```bash
RUNTIME_ENVIRONMENT=beta
```

3. Save the file.
4. Restart FileWave Server so the runtime environment is loaded:

```bash
sudo fwcontrol server restart
```

## Confirm FileWave Central is using Beta

When Central connects to a server using the Beta runtime environment, FileWave Central shows **BETA** in the window title and in the bottom-right status area. Clicking the **BETA** indicator opens this article.

[![FileWave Central showing the BETA indicator in the window title and bottom-right status area](https://kb.filewave.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-07/scaled-1680-/6vh7hp8qcZC08kS1-filewave-central-beta-indicator.jpg)](https://kb.filewave.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-07/6vh7hp8qcZC08kS1-filewave-central-beta-indicator.jpg)

## Disable Early Access package URLs

1. Remove this line from `/usr/local/etc/filewave/.env`:

```bash
RUNTIME_ENVIRONMENT=beta
```

2. Save the file.
3. Restart FileWave Server again:

```bash
sudo fwcontrol server restart
```

## Related Early Access articles

- [What is the Early Access Program?](https://kb.filewave.com/link/1067)
- [Building Custom Clients During Early Access](https://kb.filewave.com/link/1069)

## Notes

- **Early Access** and **Beta** refer to the same testing channel in this context.
- The server restart is required after enabling or disabling the flag because FileWave Server reads the runtime environment during startup.
- The short link for this article is [https://go.filewave.com/beta](https://go.filewave.com/beta).