Steps to Activate New Features in Windows 11 December 2025 Update (KB5070311)

The Windows 11 December 2025 Update (KB5070311) will be released on December 9, 2025, targeting versions 25H2 and 24H2, featuring a bevy of enhancements and fixes.
To access these new features sooner, you can manually prompt the update by executing the ViVeTool command vivetool /enable /id:57048237 in an elevated Command Prompt.

The upcoming Windows 11 December 2025 Security Update for versions 25H2 and 24H2 will begin rolling out on December 9. In this article, we will guide you on how to enable most of the new features ahead of the general availability.

Recently, Microsoft announced the “2025-11 Security Update (KB5070311) (26200.7296)”, which is packed with various features and improvements. It’s worth noting that Microsoft adopts a phased approach for feature rollouts, meaning that not every user will receive the update at the same time. For those eager to try the new features early, the command-line tool ViveTool, developed by @PhantomOfEarth, allows you to unlock these features directly on your system.

This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to enable the latest enhancements introduced with the Windows 11 December 2025 Security Update.

Activating New Features in Windows 11 for December 2025

Follow these steps to enable the enhancements from the Windows 11 update KB5070311:

Navigate to the GitHub repository.
Download the ViveTool-vx.x.x.zip file to unlock the new features for December 2025.
Open the zip folder using File Explorer by double-clicking it.
Select the Extract all option.
Click on the Extract button to proceed.
Copy the path to the extracted ViveTool folder.
Open the Start menu.
Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top entry, and select Run as administrator.
Enter the following command to navigate to the ViveTool folder and press Enter:

cd c:\folder\path\ViveTool-v0.x.x

Be sure to replace the path with your specific folder location.
Run the command below to enable the newest features:

vivetool /enable /id:57048237
Restart your computer to apply the changes. If you don’t notice all the features post-restart, proceed to the next step.
Finally, restart your computer again.

Upon completion of these steps, you should access the prominent features and updates included in build 26200.7296 for Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2.

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If you wish to reverse the changes made, you can follow the above steps again; however, in step 10, use the command vivetool /disable /id:57048237. Alternatively, you may execute the vivetool /fullreset command to eliminate any customizations made using the tool.

How to Install the Windows 11 December 2025 Security Update

If you want to enable the features before they are released through the Stable Channel, you will need to enroll your device in the Release Preview Channel. Otherwise, it’s advisable to wait for the Stable Channel update, which is typically available at the beginning of each month coinciding with Patch Tuesday.

To install Windows 11 build 26200.7296 (KB5070311), follow these steps:

Open Settings.
Select Windows Update.
(Optional) Enable the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle switch.
Click the “Check for updates” button.
(Optional) Select the “Download and install” option to manually apply an upcoming Windows 11 update.
Click the Restart now button to complete the installation.

After completing these steps, if an update is available, it will be downloaded and installed automatically on your Windows 11 device.

Frequently Asked Questions about the December 2025 Windows 11 Update

If you have further inquiries regarding the December 2025 Update for Windows 11, the following FAQs should clarify the latest enhancements and how to access them.

What ViveTool command do I need to enable the December 2025 features for Windows 11?

To activate the new features, execute the command vivetool /enable /id:57048237.

Will running the ViveTool command turn on all features?

No, some features may not be accessible to all users, even after using the ViveTool commands, or may only be available in specific regions.

Why is the ViveTool command necessary to enable new features?

Using the ViveTool is optional; however, many users prefer to access improvements earlier. Microsoft implements a staggered rollout for new features to mitigate widespread issues should any arise.

What features and improvements are included in the December 2025 update for Windows 11?

This Patch Tuesday Update introduces various features and enhancements, including options to disable the Drag Tray, updates to dark mode in File Explorer, support for Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) with Windows Hello for external sensors, new settings for mobile devices within the Settings app, an updated Widgets experience, and adjustments to Quick Machine Recovery.

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