ViveTool Archives

Winsage

August 24, 2026

Windows 11 will soon let you control unified memory, just in time for NVIDIA RTX Spark

A new feature in the Windows Insider program for Windows 11 allows users to designate specific amounts of unified memory for graphics and AI applications, discovered in build 29648 by user @XenoPanther. Unified memory enables sharing between the CPU, GPU, and other processors, with support for up to 128GB of unified RAM from NVIDIA and integrated features from AMD. This feature aims to reserve additional unified memory for demanding applications, enhancing performance by ensuring consistent access to high-speed memory and reducing latency issues. It is still in development and not officially announced by Microsoft, but users can enable it using ViveTool, with a recommendation to wait for further testing before widespread use.

Winsage

August 18, 2026

Microsoft reveals customizable context menu for Windows users – how to try it out

Microsoft is introducing a customizable right-click context menu in Windows 11 to enhance user experience and streamline interactions within File Explorer. Users will be able to add frequently used commands and remove less relevant ones to reduce clutter. This feature is available in the latest Windows 11 Insider build (26340.9212) but requires users to install a utility called Vivetool to enable it. The new menu allows users to modify commands such as Send to, Print, Create shortcut, Copy as path, and Rotate image, and offers options for displaying commands in different formats. Users can also manage app extensions and reposition commands within the menu. The customizable menu is not yet publicly available, but there are plans for its rollout by the end of the year, depending on user feedback.

Winsage

August 14, 2026

Windows 11 Expands Low Latency Profile CPU Boost to All Apps in August Patch Tuesday Update

Microsoft has expanded its Low Latency Profile (LLP) feature to all Windows 11 applications through the KB5121003 update, which is part of this month's Patch Tuesday. This update temporarily boosts CPU frequency to speed up app launches and is now available for most applications and Win32 programs. Following the installation of the update, standard applications like Notepad, Calculator, and web browsers such as Chrome showed faster opening times. The LLP feature is being rolled out gradually via Microsoft's Controlled Feature Rollout system, and users can enable it early using the ViveTool program if it does not appear immediately. Critics have described LLP as a superficial enhancement, while Microsoft has defended it by comparing it to similar strategies used by Apple in macOS.

Winsage

August 14, 2026

Microsoft expands CPU-boosting feature to all Windows 11 apps

Microsoft has rolled out its Low Latency Profile (LLP) technology to all Windows 11 users as part of the KB5121003 update, aimed at enhancing performance across the Windows graphical user interface, native OS applications, and third-party software using Win32 APIs. The LLP utilizes a "race to sleep" mechanism that temporarily elevates CPU frequency to expedite app launches. Following the update, users reported reduced loading times for applications like Notepad, Calculator, Chrome, and the Epic Games Store. The feature is being distributed through the Controlled Feature Rollout system, and can be force-enabled using the ViveTool program. While some critics view it as a superficial enhancement, Microsoft defends it by comparing it to similar strategies used by Apple in macOS and noting its commonality in Arm chips.

Winsage

August 12, 2026

Windows 11’s faster app launches released today, enable it using these steps

Windows 11 introduced the Low Latency Profile feature with the August 2026 security update, enhancing app launch speeds. This feature allows the CPU to quickly reach near-maximum frequency when an application is launched, improving loading times and conserving energy by returning to low-power idle states more rapidly. Initially limited to core Windows shell elements, the August update (KB5121003) expanded this functionality to a wider range of applications. Testing showed significant improvements in app launch times, with no adverse effects on CPU performance or battery life. Users can manually enable the feature using the ViVeTool if it hasn't been rolled out to them yet. Microsoft is also working on optimizing Windows 11 for devices with 8GB of RAM and above by the end of 2026.

Winsage

July 31, 2026

Windows 11 File Explorer just changed how file sizes work, how to see MB and GB right now

Microsoft has updated the Details view in File Explorer for Windows 11 to display file sizes using appropriate units (KB, MB, GB) instead of only kilobytes (KB). This change aims to enhance user understanding of file sizes, particularly for casual users. The update is confirmed in the release notes for Windows 11 KB5101684. Users can enable this feature by downloading ViveTool, running a specific command, and rebooting their system. The original KB-only display can be restored with another command, although there is no toggle option provided by Microsoft for switching back.

Winsage

July 14, 2026

Microsoft just decluttered Windows 11 Search after years of MSN tiles, ads, and trivia

Microsoft is rolling out significant enhancements to Windows Search, starting on July 13, aimed at creating a more streamlined and user-friendly experience for Insiders. The update eliminates clutter from the interface, removing web suggestions and ads, and replacing them with a clean home screen that displays recent searches. Each search result now includes clear labels indicating its source, and the layout has been improved for better organization. Sponsored product cards have been removed from web results, leading to direct answers without promotional content. Users can customize their experience with toggles to disable Bing web results or Microsoft Store suggestions. Local matches now take precedence over web results, improving search accuracy. File search has been enhanced to display results more quickly and include cloud files alongside local ones. Microsoft has also improved the reliability of Search, reducing crashes and loading issues. Users can enable the new features through the Feature flags page if they do not activate after a reboot. There is no official timeline for when these changes will be available to all Windows users.

Winsage

June 23, 2026

“Windows Search needs less Bing” — Microsoft is finally adding an off switch in Windows 11

Microsoft has unveiled build 26300.8697 for Windows 11, which includes a new setting that allows users to disable Bing-powered web results in the Windows Search function. This feature aims to provide a more focused search experience by minimizing distractions from online suggestions. Users in the European Economic Area have had similar controls due to the Digital Markets Act, and Microsoft is now extending this functionality to all markets. The new setting can be found under Settings > Privacy & security > Search and is labeled "Web Searches." Additionally, the "Privacy & security" page has been reorganized for better usability, with new entry points for features like Passkeys and the Custom Dictionary. Currently, the feature is not officially available and can only be activated using ViveTool feature IDs, indicating that it is still in development.

Winsage

June 23, 2026

Tested: Microsoft just debloated Windows 11 Search without Bing, and it’s crazy fast

Windows 11 has introduced a significant enhancement to its Search functionality, allowing users to completely eliminate web results through a toggle in Insider Experimental build 26300.8697. This feature prioritizes local results and improves search speed. The new toggles for Web Searches and Microsoft Store apps can be found in the Privacy & security settings under "Show suggested search results." Users can still see past web searches if the Search history toggle is active. The web toggle's deactivation leads to local files being displayed first, while the Microsoft Store results can be toggled independently. Disabling both toggles results in a "No results found" message if there are no local matches. The feature is currently experimental and requires enabling via ViveTool. Additional improvements include typo forgiveness for app queries and enhanced search responsiveness. Microsoft is also shifting its strategy to provide users with more control over their Windows experience.

Winsage

June 22, 2026

I forced Windows 11’s CPU boost on a 10-year-old PC, and it feels surprisingly new

Windows 11 has introduced the Low Latency Profile to enhance the responsiveness of the Start menu, Search, and Action Center by rapidly increasing CPU frequency during user interactions. Testing on a Lenovo ThinkCentre M700 Mini Desktop with a 6th Generation Intel Core i3-6100 processor showed that the Low Latency Profile could be activated via the June 2026 Patch Tuesday update (KB5094126) and the third-party tool ViVeTool. Initially, no significant CPU frequency spike was observed, but after enabling the feature, the CPU frequency increased from approximately 800MHz to 3.0GHz and then to 3.7GHz almost instantaneously during interactions. This resulted in a marked improvement in the responsiveness of the Start menu and Action Center, with the latter showing the most significant enhancement. The Low Latency Profile effectively improved performance on older systems without adverse effects on battery life or thermal output.