Enabling Advanced Settings on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step-by-Step Guide: Enabling Advanced Settings on Windows 11

Exciting changes are coming to Windows 11! Microsoft is in the process of introducing a new Advanced Settings page aimed at enhancing the experience for developers. Currently, this feature is still a work in progress, but you can enable it manually using ViveTool in the latest preview versions of Windows 11. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the activation process, highlighting everything you need to know to take advantage of the new features.

What’s New in the Advanced Settings?

The forthcoming Advanced Settings page is designed to provide a more organized array of functionalities that were previously found under the “For Developers” page. This update not only streamlines access to existing tools but also introduces innovative features, previously included in Microsoft’s retired Dev Home app. Note that this transition to the Advanced Settings is not yet officially publicized, yet it can be activated following the outlined steps below.

Steps to Activate Advanced Settings on Windows 11

Enable the Advanced Settings page by following this detailed guide:

Visit the GitHub repository for ViveTool.
Download the ViveTool-vx.x.x.zip file to your computer.
Open the zip file using File Explorer by double-clicking it.
Select the Extract all option.
Click the Extract button to unpack the contents.
Copy the path to the folder where ViveTool is extracted.
Press Start on your desktop.
Search for Command Prompt, right-click on the icon, and select Run as administrator.
Navigate to the ViveTool folder using the command below (remember to replace the example path with your extracted path):

cd c:\folder\path\ViveTool-v0.x.x
To enable the Advanced Settings feature, type the following command and hit Enter:

vivetool /enable /id:56005157
Finally, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Exploring the Advanced Settings Page

Following the completion of the steps mentioned, you will now find the new “Advanced” page under the System section of your Settings app. This page reorganizes key settings into different categories for easy access. For instance:

The “Taskbar” section now includes an essential “End Task” feature.
Within “File Explorer, ” a new option supports long file paths, alongside versatile controls for other settings.
The addition of a “File Explorer + Version Control” feature allows you to seamlessly integrate tools like Git for direct file change tracking.
Quick access to Remote Desktop options is now available in the “Virtual Workspace” section, alongside a new setup for Virtual Workspaces.
Windows Terminal functionalities are also integrated under the new Advanced settings, with a section dedicated to Developer Mode and Device Discovery.
A new “Dev Drive”section leads directly to storage settings for creating a development-specific drive on your Windows 11 setup.

Note that some of these features are in development and may not operate fully as intended at the moment.

Undoing Changes

If you decide to return to the previous settings, simply follow the same steps as above, but in step 10, execute this command:

vivetool /disable /id:56005157

Reverting is straightforward and ensures your system settings are aligned with your preferences.

Join the Conversation

What do you think about the new Advanced Settings page? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is ViveTool and why do I need it?

ViveTool is an essential utility that allows users to enable or disable hidden features in Windows 11. It is particularly useful for accessing the Advanced Settings page, which enhances the user experience by organizing development tools and settings into a more user-friendly interface.

2. Can I use the Advanced Settings page without installing anything else?

To access the Advanced Settings page, you need the Windows Advanced Settings app, which may not be pre-installed on your device. If it’s missing, you can quickly download it from the Microsoft Store.

3. Are there risks associated with enabling new features via ViveTool?

While using ViveTool is generally safe, it’s important to remember that the Advanced Settings are still under development. Some features may not work as expected, so proceed with caution and ensure you have backups of important data before making significant changes.

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