Windows 11 is constantly evolving, with Microsoft testing new features, UI elements, and system improvements through Insider builds before making them available to the general public. However, many of these experimental features are hidden behind feature flags — meaning they exist inside Windows but are not enabled by default. This is where ViVeTool comes in.
ViVeTool is a powerful command-line utility developed by third-party Windows enthusiasts that allows you to enable, disable, or configure hidden features in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Whether it’s the latest File Explorer redesign, new Taskbar options, hidden Settings pages, or experimental UI enhancements, ViVeTool gives you access months before Microsoft rolls them out.
If you’re reading this guide, chances are you want early access to features Microsoft is testing under the hood — or you’re simply curious about how Windows experiments work. The good news is that ViVeTool makes the process surprisingly easy once you understand the basics.
In this in-depth guide, we’ll explain what ViVeTool is, how it works, and provide step-by-step instructions to enable hidden Windows 11 features safely and effectively. Let’s dive in!
What Is ViVeTool?
ViVeTool is an open-source command-line program used to interact with Windows’ internal “feature configuration” system. Microsoft uses this system to turn features on or off for specific users or build versions using feature IDs.
ViVeTool lets you:
- Enable hidden Windows 11 features
- Disable experimental features
- Troubleshoot UI changes
- Force-enable features not yet available in your region
- Restore features Windows removed
- Experiment with cutting-edge functionality
ViVeTool works on both:
- Windows 11 Stable
- Windows 11 Insider builds (Dev, Beta, Canary)
Because it is third-party software, you should always download it from trusted sources such as GitHub.
How ViVeTool Works
When Microsoft tests a new Windows feature, it’s often included in system files ahead of time but controlled by a feature flag. This feature flag is tied to a unique feature ID. ViVeTool lets you send commands to Windows that:
- Turn ON a feature ID
- Turn OFF a feature ID
- Query feature status
- Reset all changes
Example of enabling a feature:
vivetool /enable /id:123456
Example of disabling a feature:
vivetool /disable /id:123456
Now that you understand the basics, let’s walk through how to install and use ViVeTool.
How to Use ViVeTool to Enable Hidden Features in Windows 11
Follow the methods below carefully. These commands modify experimental Windows features, so take your time and follow each step precisely.
1. Download ViVeTool from GitHub
Since this is a third-party tool, you must get it from its official GitHub repository.
- Open a browser and go to the official GitHub page:
https://github.com/thebookisclosed/ViVeTool - Scroll down to the Releases section.
- Download the latest ViVeTool ZIP file.
- Extract the ZIP folder to any directory (e.g., C:\ViVeTool).
Make sure the path is easy to access since you’ll use it frequently.
2. Open Windows Terminal With Administrator Rights
ViVeTool requires elevated privileges.
- Press Windows + X.
- Choose Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
- Navigate to the folder where ViVeTool is extracted.
Example:
cd C:\ViVeTool
This prepares the terminal to run ViVeTool commands.
3. Enable Hidden Features Using ViVeTool
Once inside the ViVeTool directory, you can begin enabling features.
Basic command syntax:
vivetool /enable /id:<feature_id>
Example:
vivetool /enable /id:40887771
If you’re enabling multiple features, you can separate them:
vivetool /enable /id:39792809 42105254 34370472
After enabling features, restart your PC to apply changes.
4. Disable a Previously Enabled Feature
If something breaks or you no longer want a feature:
vivetool /disable /id:<feature_id>
Example:
vivetool /disable /id:40887771
Restart Windows again to revert changes.
5. Check the Status of a Feature
You can query whether a feature is enabled or disabled:
vivetool /query /id:<feature_id>
This helps confirm if the feature is active.
6. Use ViVeTool GUI (Optional) for Easier Use
If you find command-line work intimidating, you can install a GUI version created by the community:
ViVeTool GUI (unofficial)
- Provides a graphical interface
- Allows searching feature IDs
- Enables/disables features with a click
This is helpful for users who want convenience without memorizing commands.
7. Popular Feature IDs to Try (Examples Only)
Note: These IDs may vary based on Windows build versions.
Here are some commonly used hidden-feature IDs:
New File Explorer Tabs
vivetool /enable /id:37634385
New Start Menu Recommendations UI
vivetool /enable /id:39281392
New Taskbar Overflow Menu
vivetool /enable /id:35620393
Search Bar Variants
vivetool /enable /id:40970006
Always ensure the features are compatible with your build.
8. Reset All ViVeTool Changes (If Something Breaks)
If you enabled a feature that caused bugs or instability, reset everything:
vivetool /reset
Then restart your PC.
This restores Windows to its default feature state.
9. Always Use ViVeTool Safely
Because you’re modifying experimental features, keep these tips in mind:
- Only enable features you understand
- Don’t enable IDs from builds older/newer than yours
- Restart after each batch of changes
- Avoid enabling dozens of features at once
- If something seems unstable, disable the last feature you turned on
ViVeTool is safe when used responsibly.
Wrapping Up
ViVeTool is one of the most powerful utilities available for Windows enthusiasts, giving you early access to experimental features and hidden UI changes long before Microsoft publicly rolls them out. Whether you’re customizing Windows, testing new layouts, or exploring insider features on a stable build, ViVeTool is an incredibly useful tool — as long as you use it carefully.
We hope this detailed guide helped you understand how to use ViVeTool and safely enable hidden features in Windows 11. If you found this helpful, be sure to explore more of our in-depth Windows guides. As always, thank you for reading till the end — and we’ll see you again in the next tutorial!
