Unlock Hidden Features in Windows 11: A Complete Guide

Microsoft has been rolling out feature-rich updates to Windows 11, including the latest 25H2 and 24H2 releases. While exciting, not all features are enabled by default. This guide details how to unlock and enable these hidden gems using ViveTool, giving you a fully customized Windows experience.

What's New in Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2?

Both updates bring a wealth of improvements, from subtle UI tweaks to powerful AI integrations. Let's explore what you can unlock:

Windows 11 25H2 Features

• Display Time in Notification Center: Reintroduces a familiar feature from Windows 10.

• New Edit App: A command-line style text editor – perfect for no-frills typing.

• AI Actions Context Menu: Integrates AI shortcuts directly into the File Explorer context menu (Visual Search, Blur Background, Erase Objects, Remove Background).

• Change Position of On-screen Indicators: Customize the location (bottom, top left, or top center) of brightness, volume, and other control indicators.

• End Tasks via Taskbar: Right-click on open apps in the taskbar to quickly end them.

• Passkey Support: Securely sign into apps and websites using fingerprint, face recognition, or PIN.

Windows 11 24H2 Features (All PCs)

• AI Tools in Microsoft Paint: Create images, remove backgrounds, and generate background fills with Copilot.

• New Energy Saver Mode: Conserve battery life by reducing background activities on portable devices.

• Use Sudo Commands: Run commands without launching the console as an administrator (for advanced users).

Windows 11 24H2 Features (Copilot PCs Only)

• Windows Recall: Screenshots taken to search with Copilot.

• Enhanced Effects During Video Calls: Blur backgrounds, eye contact correction, and voice highlight.

• AI Upscaling for Video Games: Improve visual performance with AI-powered upscaling.

• AI-Powered Local Search: Quickly find files and documents using keywords you remember.

• Click To Do: Circle to Search functionality.

How to Enable Features with ViveTool

ViveTool is a third-party utility that lets you enable or disable hidden features in Windows 11. Here’s how to get started:

1. Download ViveTool: Get the latest version from the official ViveTool GitHub page.

2. Extract the Zip File: Unzip the downloaded file to a location you can easily remember.

3. Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Press the Windows key + R, type cmd, and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter.

4. Navigate to ViveTool Directory: Use the cd command, followed by the path to the extracted ViveTools folder (e.g., cd C:\ViveTool).

5. Enable Features: Use the command vivetool /enable /id:XXXXXXX (replace XXXXXXX with the feature ID – see a list of IDs online).

6. Restart Your PC: After enabling features, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Important Notes:

• Always download ViveTool from a trusted source (like the official GitHub page).

• Be cautious when enabling unknown features. Research each feature's purpose before making changes.

• Keep your system backed up regularly to protect against potential issues.