On the 9th of August, 2023, Microsoft rolled out a new Windows 11 test build—25926, in the Canary Channel for enthusiasts. This build brought with it a clandestine feature, a new “System Components” settings page, which did not find a mention in the official release notes.
Interestingly, this elusive System Components page was discovered by Windows enthusiast PhantomOfEarth on Twitter. It is hidden by default but can be forced into visibility, thanks to the ViVeTool app, a third-party tool.
Build 25926 includes a new (hidden) System Components settings page. (feature SettingsSystemComponentsPage)
vivetool /enable /id:44702824 https://t.co/URPFIzBNvo pic.twitter.com/J1tluvET6l
— PhantomOcean3 💙💛 (@PhantomOfEarth) August 9, 2023
Getting Deeper into the Page
The hidden page is a platform where you can manage various system components such as drivers, services, and stock apps. Interestingly, it was noticed that each app installed through the System Components settings page would appear twice – both on the component’s page and on the “Apps > Installed apps” panel. This discovery was made during a test where Minecraft Launcher was installed.
As this new feature is still in development, it raises some intriguing questions. Will the apps still be visible under “Apps” in Settings once the setting is fully established? Furthermore, what is the purpose of these duplicate entries in the meantime?
Enabling the Hidden Settings
Although Microsoft has hidden the System Components setting and new Snipping Tool features, suggesting that they are currently being tested in an undisclosed environment, it is still possible for technology enthusiasts to enable them on their PCs. This can be accomplished by utilizing the ViVeTool app.
Execute the command vivetool /enable /id:44702824 in the command console, and voila! You are in.
Since the said features are under scrutiny, not all Canary insiders have direct access to them. However, thanks to the ViVeTool application, any eager user can start playing around with them for feedback or learn about upcoming features in Windows 11.
In conclusion, there’s significantly more to Windows 11 build 25926 than meets the eye. As the potentially powerful yet surreptitious System Components settings page continues to gather attention, it might just be the opening act of a series of exciting developments in the future builds of Windows 11.
Via MSPoweruser