How to safely activate hidden Windows features with ViveTool

After the last major Windows 11 update, the expected new features don't always appear. Microsoft It releases many features gradually, and even if your PC is already on a recent build of the 25H2 branch, it's normal that there are still "dormant" features waiting their turn.

The good news is that we can force its activation with tools known to the technical community. LiveTool It's the most popular way to enable experimental flags in Windows, and it will allow you to take advantage of improvements such as new unified Home menu, widgets on the lock screen, revamped visual options in Settings and notifications, adjustments for the size of taskbar icons, changes to Explorer, more powerful accessibility features and even text extraction from images with the Snipping Tool.

Why are there features that don't appear even though you already have 25H2?

Microsoft performs staggered activations and A/B testing in different waves. 25:2 (For example, builds on line 26100.4770 or higher) may have some new features disabled by default. This strategy allows us to gather data, iron out bugs, and fine-tune the user experience before the global rollout.

This "staging" mechanism is built into Windows: each feature under development has a unique identifier (ID) and can be activated or deactivated from within the system itself. With ViveTool, we can interact with these IDs. IDs and to bring forward the arrival of new features that Microsoft has not yet turned on for everyone.

Prerequisites and important notices

Before we get started, it's a good idea to prepare the ground. Windows 11Ideally, this should be in 25H2 with recent patches; packages such as KB5062660 and later are mentioned, as well as cumulative patches such as KB5065789 that bring hidden features.

You will need an account with administrator permission to execute system commands. Internet connection required to download ViveTool, and creating a restore pointIf something goes wrong, going back in two clicks saves you trouble.

What exactly is ViveTool?

LiveTool is an executable of Command lineIt's a free and open-source tool that allows you to enable or disable experimental Windows flags by pointing to their IDs. It's the cleanest way to toggle features under development without messing with the registry or group policies.

The best part is that every change is reversible. If a feature doesn't suit you or causes problems, you can undo it by running the same ID with / disableEven so, don't skip the backup or restore point: prevention is always cheaper.

Download and prepare ViveTool

The official package is published in GitHubAccess the project repository and download the latest ZIP file according to your architecture: Intel/AMD x64 for the vast majority and ARM64 if you use a Copilot+ computer or other ARM device.

Once downloaded, extract the file to an easy-to-remember folder, for example C:\\ViveToolThe path is important because you will then have to go to that folder from the command prompt with administrator privileges.

Activate hidden functions with commands (step by step)

Open the Start menu, type CMD, and in the “Command Prompt” result, right-click to choose “Run as administratorThis is key for the changes to take effect at the system level.

In the black window, navigate to the folder where you extracted ViveTool. For example, if the path is C:\Windows\ViveTool, run the following command to navigate there. Use your folder path If it does not match this example:

cd C:\\Windows\\ViveTool

With the directory ready, you can run a command that groups multiple known IDs for 25H2. This batch activates the new redesigned Start menu, widgets on the lock screen, visual improvements in Settings and notifications, icon size adjustments in the taskbar, and additional options in Explorer. Redesigned homepage and more:

vivetool /enable /id:47205210,49221331,49402389,48433719,49381526,49820095,55495322,57048216,49453572,52580392,50902630

After pressing Enter, you should see messages like “Successfully set feature configuration”Once you see it, you can close the Command Prompt window. If you don't see that text, check the path or make sure Command Prompt is running in administrator mode.

Another batch of features linked to recent patches

In addition to the previous batch, there are feature sets associated with specific updates. KB5065789 (Released in a Patch Tuesday cycle), changes have been introduced that are unlocked with additional IDs. One of the most cited for that batch is:

vivetool /enable /id:57048226

Activate it from the same ViveTool folder and, as always, restart to implement the changes. Among the notable improvements seen with these activations: move the location of OSD indicators (volume, brightness)Improvements to controls, more useful Explorer context menus, Control Panel components migrating to Settings, and the ability to open the Notification Center from the secondary screen in dual-monitor setups.

Restart and see what's new

After enabling the IDs and updating system apps, restart your PC. Upon restarting, items such as the following should appear: unified Home menu (pinned items + recommendations), widgets on the lock screen (weather, calendar), accessibility settings (shadow pointer and advanced options), improvements to Explorer (folders persist after restart), adjustable icon sizes in the taskbar, a redesigned search bar in Settings, and the option to Extract text from images with Snipping Tool.

How to reverse what you've activated

If you notice instability or are simply not satisfied with a feature, return to the ViveTool folder and launch the same ID with /disable. The reversion is immediate. you restartTo undo the large batch of 25H2 we saw earlier:

vivetool /disable /id:47205210,49221331,49402389,48433719,49381526,49820095,55495322,57048216,49453572,52580392,50902630

And if you activated the ID linked to recent patches:

vivetool /disable /id:57048226

ViveTool: Latest version and compatibility

The utility has received minor versions that improve compatibility with current branches of Windows 11, including 24H2 and 25H2. latest build from GitHub to ensure that it recognizes the new feature control systems.

If you prefer a graphical interface, there are GUIs There are third-party options, but many are outdated. The command line remains the most reliable method, and it also allows you to copy and paste blocks of IDs in one go.

StagingTool: Microsoft's internal tool (and its risks)

In addition to ViveTool, there is an internal Microsoft utility called StagingTool that was leaked some time ago. Staging Tool It was designed for engineers and testers and works with a similar logic: activating or deactivating function IDs in tests.

If you manage to get a copy, open it in a privileged command prompt and run StagingTool.exe /? To view the help. The usual commands are /enable, /disable, and /query. Note: unofficial sources It involves risks; even Windows Defender might flag it as a threat. Do your due diligence, avoid production systems, and don't use it if you're unsure what you're doing.

How to find IDs and what to activate

Each feature has a unique ID. These codes circulate within the community, and specialized profiles often share their findings. There are also tools that scan preview builds, for example. Feature Scannerto detect new flags. The recommendation is to only touch IDs that have been verified and documented by reliable sources.

Among the features being activated with 25H2 and recent patches are: the new unified Home screen, lock screen widgets, context menus More practical Explorer features, migrations from Control Panel to Settings, improvements with controls, OSD movement, a more accessible notification center in multi-monitor setups, and visual tweaks in Settings and notifications.

Windows Copilot: Status and Activation

Copilot It integrates into the taskbar and snaps into the side when opened. smart assistant to consult information, perform system actions (theme, color, settings), write texts or solve everyday tasks.

Its availability remains uneven: it's often restricted to specific Insider channels or regions. In supported builds, you can enable it by IDs, but when those IDs are no longer public or change, the most practical approach is to join the Insider program. Dev or Beta channel From the Insider program, update and try it. Once active, open it from the icon in the taskbar or with Win + C.

Reference commands

We've compiled the key fragments so you have them at hand. route and build of Windows.

cd C:\\ruta\\donde\\extraiste\\ViveTool

vivetool /enable /id:47205210,49221331,49402389,48433719,49381526,49820095,55495322,57048216,49453572,52580392,50902630

vivetool /enable /id:57048226

vivetool /disable /id:47205210,49221331,49402389,48433719,49381526,49820095,55495322,57048216,49453572,52580392,50902630

vivetool /disable /id:57048226

If you prefer to see it in action, here's a step-by-step tutorial that demonstrates the process in real time. tutorial to follow it without missing a detail:

Extra tips to get more out of it

After enabling the features, take a few minutes to explore and give feedback If something doesn't add up, Microsoft refines many decisions based on usage and bug reports from Insiders and enthusiasts.

If you work with clients or share technology content, having these before anyone It lets you show live changes without relying on external screenshots. And in everyday use, the unified Start menu and Explorer's persistent folders reduce clicks and frustration.

Mastering tools like ViveTool and, with caution, StagingTool, allows you to anticipate features that will take time to reach the average user. With a couple of commands, a Backup And head, you'll enjoy a more complete Windows, with which to test, adjust your workflow and discover improvements that will soon be standard, all without waiting for the official switch to be turned on for everyone.