Uncover and activate hidden Home windows options with ViveTool

Home windows 11 comes with many hidden options that Microsoft has already constructed into the system, however hasn’t but activated for common use. With the ViVeTool program, you may activate these hidden features your self. This small command-line device allows you to check new system parts weeks or months earlier than their official rollout date and customise the interface to suit your wants.

The device works on all present builds of Home windows 10 and Home windows 11 and makes use of the identical inner A/B check logic that Microsoft makes use of for inner characteristic distributions. The particular factor about it’s that you should utilize it to unlock actual system features, not apply unofficial hacks.

Microsoft integrates many new options into Home windows upfront, however holds them again through so-called characteristic flags. ViVeTool addresses these flags immediately.

You’ll be able to activate or deactivate particular person features or examine the standing with out having to intervene within the system information. On this approach, the system often stays secure and you keep full management over the purposeful scope of your laptop.

Warning: ViVeTool intervenes deeply in inner system mechanisms and is due to this fact falsely acknowledged as doubtlessly harmful by some safety packages. This isn’t a sign of malicious code, however a consequence of the truth that the device makes use of the identical inner interfaces that Home windows makes use of to manage experimental features.

Incorrect or incompatible characteristic IDs can result in system instability, show errors, or crashes. Not each perform could be activated, as Microsoft deactivates some switches in sure builds. Earlier than making in depth adjustments, it is best to create a backup or a restore level so that you could simply reset the system within the occasion of an issue.

A restore level could be created in PowerShell with a single command, so long as laptop safety is activated for the system drive. To do that, run PowerShell as an administrator and enter the next:

Checkpoint-Pc -Description “Earlier than ViVeTool activation” -RestorePointType “MODIFY_SETTINGS”

This command creates a system restore level with the outline “Earlier than ViVeTool activation.” If the error message “System Safety is just not enabled” seems, you have to allow laptop safety. This may be finished through the basic Management Panel:

1. Open sysdm.cpl
2. Choose the “Pc safety” tab
3. Spotlight drive C: and click on on “Configure”
4. Choose “Activate laptop safety” and make sure

By default, Home windows solely permits one restore level each 24 hours. If you wish to pressure one other level instantly, use:

Checkpoint-Pc -Description “Earlier level overwritten” -RestorePointType “MODIFY_SETTINGS” -Verbose

After profitable execution, you may reset the system to this state at any time utilizing the system restore perform.

The way it works

After unpacking the downloaded archive, the file “vivetool.exe” is situated within the goal folder, for instance in “C:vive.” Open the command immediate with administrator rights (through the context menu) and alter to the listing utilizing “cd C:vive.” From right here you may management the device with easy instructions.

The essential command is “vivetool/allow/id:XXXXX,” the place the ID denotes the respective perform. You’ll be able to deactivate it once more with “vivetool /disable /id:XXXXX.” The command “vivetool /question” reveals which options are at present energetic and “vivetool /fullreset” resets all switches.

A restart is required after every change in order that Home windows hundreds the brand new parts.

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The command line work sounds technical at first, however is uncomplicated in follow. The command immediate confirms every profitable activation with “Efficiently set characteristic configuration(s).” Which means the perform is out there instantly after the restart.

A contemporary tackle File Explorer

One of the crucial fascinating assessments considerations the brand new File Explorer, which relies on WinUI parts. Use the next command to activate the revised interface:

vivetool/allow /id:40950262

Afterward, File Explorer responds noticeably extra easily, the context menu is clearly structured, and entry to community drives or OneDrive makes use of standardized interfaces. AI-supported ideas are additionally already built-in and visual.

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You’ll be able to acquire preliminary expertise with the upcoming Home windows interface and immediately examine the variations to the usual model. If obligatory, deactivate the brand new Explorer once more with the next command:

vivetool/disable /id:40950262

Animated video backgrounds

A spotlight for visually customers is the return of animated backgrounds. Use the next command to activate the video wallpaper perform, which is paying homage to Dreamscene from Home windows Vista:

vivetool/allow /id:57645315

Subsequent, open the Settings, go to “Personalization” > “Background,” and set the kind to “Picture.” Now you can choose an MP4 or MKV file that Home windows will play as a transferring wallpaper. The clip begins routinely as quickly because the desktop is seen.

This selection is fascinating for presentation programs or info displays as a result of it will possibly show dynamic scenes in a company design or refined ambient movies within the background. If you wish to swap off the perform later, use “/disable” once more. This may revert the desktop to a static background.

New begin menu and search features

The ViVeTool may also be activated within the person interface. Use the next instructions to allow experimental variations of the Begin menu and taskbar search:

vivetool/allow /id:38937525

vivetool/allow /id:40887771

After restarting, the search responds sooner, the outcomes seem grouped and simpler to filter, and Home windows might show context-related ideas, reminiscent of system settings or just lately opened paperwork.

Customers who rely closely on search will profit from the smoother interface and extra classes, whereas builders can check how API calls behave within the new search system.

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Activating characteristic packages

Microsoft typically bundles main improvements in month-to-month safety or perform updates, however releases them in phases. This delay could be prevented with the ViVeTool. After putting in the October replace, activate the brand new features with the next command:

vivetool/allow /id:57048226

Further choices will now seem within the system settings, together with a revised {hardware} show, new AI areas within the “Settings” app, and an prolonged sharing menu that lets you pin your favourite functions.

These adjustments will solely seem on chosen units, however are already out there within the system. By activating them manually, you may check the brand new options earlier than Microsoft opens them as much as all customers.

Superior use and troubleshooting

Use the next command to examine which options are at present activated:

vivetool/question

This lets you preserve an summary should you change a number of IDs on the similar time. If an activated characteristic causes issues, reminiscent of show errors or instability, you should utilize the next command:

vivetool/disable /id:XXXXX

or, if wanted,

vivetool/fullreset

This may reset all customizations. ViVeTool doesn’t modify any system information, so adjustments are reversible. If a command has no impact, that is often as a consequence of an incompatible Home windows construct. Updating Home windows usually fixes this.

Advantages for customers and IT

With the ViVeTool, non-public customers can get an early have a look at upcoming options and customise their system, whereas builders and IT directors can check the compatibility of their functions with new Home windows parts. The profit for each teams is that adjustments could be examined with minimal danger.

Because the device works immediately with the characteristic administration built-in in Home windows, the system typically stays secure and may return to its unique state at any time. However, making a backup is really useful to make sure you can restore the PC if any points come up.

In company environments, ViVeTool is good for evaluating experimental features in check environments. It lets you examine upfront whether or not new working parts, interfaces, or safety choices are helpful to your units. If you happen to handle a number of programs in parallel, you may combine the instructions into scripts and roll them out routinely.