hidden feature Archives

Winsage

February 3, 2025

Top 10 cool and useful features coming soon to Windows 11

Microsoft is developing several enhancements for Windows 11, with some features currently available in preview builds or requiring activation. 1. Improved Auto HDR: Available to all Windows Insiders, this feature will enable automatic HDR streaming for HDR-capable displays. 2. Small Taskbar Buttons: Code snippets indicate that Microsoft is exploring the return of smaller taskbar buttons, though it is not yet functional. 3. Gamepad Keyboard: Available to Windows Insiders, this feature allows typing using standard gamepad controls. 4. New Start Menu Layouts: Requires activation of hidden feature IDs; new "Category" and "Grid" views are in development. 5. 6 GHz Hotspots: Requires activation of hidden feature IDs; laptops with Wi-Fi 7 support will soon be able to create 6 GHz hotspots. 6. Redesigned Battery Indicator: Available to Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel, this redesign will include battery percentage in the tray area. 7. File Explorer Improvements: Currently turned off, this will allow users to open links in new tabs instead of new windows. 8. New PC Spec Cards: Available for testing in the Insider Program, this feature consolidates essential PC specifications into one location. 9. New Share UI: Requires activation of hidden feature IDs; this will allow users to drag files to a dedicated tray for easy sharing. 10. AI-Powered Windows Search: Available for testing in the Insider Program and requires dedicated hardware, this feature will use natural language processing for easier file searches.

Winsage

December 10, 2024

An emoji button may be coming to the Taskbar on Windows 11

Microsoft is exploring the introduction of an emoji button on the Taskbar in Windows 11, as revealed by a hidden feature ID discovered in a recent preview build. Although the option in the Windows Settings app is currently non-functional, it indicates that Microsoft is considering this addition. The emoji button is expected to function similarly to the Pen Menu button and will reside in the System Tray, with options for visibility based on user preferences. Users can currently access the emoji panel by pressing the Windows key and the period button, which includes various emojis, kaomojis, GIFs, and symbols. The new button aims to improve visibility and accessibility of the emoji panel, while also allowing users to disable it if desired.

Winsage

December 8, 2024

Windows 11’s new hidden feature finally makes the battery indicator useful

Windows 11 is set to receive an updated battery indicator featuring a new color palette and functionalities. When energy saver mode is activated, the battery bar will turn yellow, and a chart will track battery usage over time. Users can enable these features by downloading the Windows Dev build and using specific ViveTool commands: to update the battery icon, use "vivetool /enable /id:48822452"; for section labels on the battery usage graph, use "vivetool /enable /id:53092139"; and if needed, enable "vivetool /enable /id:48433719" and reboot. These updates will eventually be rolled out to all users in the testing branch.

Winsage

December 5, 2024

Windows 11 will make it easier to change your webcam resolution

Recent iterations of Windows 11 allow users to personalize webcam settings through Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Cameras, enabling adjustments for brightness, contrast, and sharpness. Upcoming updates will expand these customization options. A hidden feature in the latest Windows 11 Canary builds (ID 52142480) enables users to modify webcam image resolution, allowing for automatic or manual selection of preferred resolution and frame rate. This feature can be enabled on Windows 11 build 27744 or newer using the ViVeTool app. Additionally, the Canary builds include an advanced camera option for selecting specific camera resolutions and improvements in File Explorer, Task Manager, and the taskbar, along with updates to the Microsoft Store for easier Win32 application updates.

Winsage

November 26, 2024

Windows 11 File Explorer will soon let you turn off OneDrive Backup notifications

In late 2023, Microsoft released the "Moment 4" update for Windows 11, which included a redesigned address bar in File Explorer and persistent OneDrive backup notifications for various folders. The update introduced a hidden feature in Windows 11 build 22635.4515 that allows users to disable these notifications or snooze them for one month. Users can disable the "Start backup" button in File Explorer by right-clicking it and selecting options from a context menu. Disabling notifications replaces the flashing icon with a simple PC icon, while snoozing reduces the size of the OneDrive button. To enable this feature, users must download the ViVeTool app, run specific commands in Command Prompt, and restart their computer.

Winsage

November 12, 2024

Microsoft tests a universal share button on Windows 11

Microsoft is testing a new universal Share button in a Preview Build of Windows 11, aimed at improving content sharing among users. This button will be integrated into various parts of the operating system, including the taskbar and Start menu, allowing users to share files, links, or text directly from their desktops. The feature is currently hidden and can be activated using the ViveTool application with specific commands. Additionally, Microsoft is introducing an AI-driven tool called Rewrite for the Notepad app, which enables users to generate alternative text based on their needs, available in Notepad version 11.2410.15.0 for Windows Insider users.

Winsage

October 24, 2024

This Mac App Makes Finder More like Windows’ File Explorer

Indie Mac utility Supercharge, developed by Sindre Sorhus, enhances Finder to provide a more familiar experience for Windows users, including a cut and paste functionality that uses Command+X and Command+V shortcuts. Users can activate this feature in Supercharge Settings under Tweaks > Finder. Additional Finder tweaks include the ability to delete files with the Delete key, open files with the Return key, and create plain text files using Option+N. Supercharge also offers quality-of-life upgrades such as hiding all windows except the active one, quitting applications with Shift+Command+Q, and customizable keyboard shortcuts for various functions. The utility is available for purchase on the developer's website or Gumroad, with price adjustments for users in countries with lower purchasing power.

Winsage

October 3, 2024

Fed up with Windows 11’s oversized taskbar icons? Microsoft’s thinking about shrinking them

Some users of Windows 11 have raised concerns about the size of taskbar buttons. In beta version 22635, a hidden feature allows users to reduce the size of taskbar icons, accessible through ViVeTool. However, this feature is still in testing and may not be available to the general public. There is currently no option to adjust the overall compactness of the taskbar, but future updates may include such a feature. Additionally, the ability to relocate the taskbar, as seen in Windows 10, is not currently available in Windows 11.

Winsage

September 28, 2024

Windows 11 users could get a shiny new ‘Soundscape’ Settings page to replace another bit of the ancient Control Panel

Microsoft is working to enhance Windows 11 by phasing out the legacy Control Panel in favor of the Settings app, focusing on audio settings. A hidden feature called the 'Soundscape' panel has been discovered, which is intended to replace the traditional Control Panel Sound window. Currently, the Soundscape panel is empty and its functionality is uncertain, but it hints at features related to 'Startup sound, scheme, audio events,' similar to the legacy Control Panel's 'Sounds' tab. This transition is still in early stages, as the Soundscape feature is not available in the latest test builds for Windows Insiders.

Winsage

September 27, 2024

Windows 11 ‘Soundscape’ replacing Sounds Settings in Control Panel

An internal build of Windows 11 has revealed a hidden feature called the “Soundscape” page, intended to replace the traditional ‘Sounds’ settings in the Control Panel. The Soundscape panel is currently unpopulated and not available in recent test builds. When activated, it removes the link to the older Control Panel Sound window from the System > Sound settings. The panel lacks functional settings and serves as a placeholder, with a description similar to existing Sound settings in the Control Panel. Microsoft aims to phase out the legacy Control Panel in favor of a modern Settings interface.