- Microsoft is working on updating the Startup page with a new style design and options on Windows 11.
- The wizard to roll back to the previous version also gets visual updates.
- These changes and others are available on Windows 11 build 25247 and higher releases.
Windows 11 continues to improve the Settings app with the release of build 25247, revamping the Startup settings page, and the upcoming visual changes for the Recovery settings.
On the “Startup” settings, the page gets a visual update to organize the apps (via @PhantomOfEarth). The view now stretches the items across the page, and each item will now include an option to open the app file location in the Program Files folder for classic desktop applications and the app settings page for Microsoft Store apps.
Although the new page style is available on starting build 25247, the option to open the app file location is still under development and is a hidden feature.
In the “Recovery” settings, we have previously seen that development teams have updated the visuals of the “Reset this PC” feature, and on build 25247, the company is also experimenting with the same styling treatment for the rollback (Go back) wizard (via @PhantomOfEarth) to match the design language available throughout the operating system with mica material and support for the light and dark color modes. However, these are still changes in development. As a result, they are only available if you enable them manually.
In previous builds, we have also seen a few other changes coming to the Settings app, including a “Trade-in or recycle your PC” option, under the “Related” settings, with leaks to resources to back up and remove your data from the computer and information how to trade-in or recycle your computer.
These changes are in addition to other recently introduced improvements for the Settings app, including an option in the “Taskbar” settings to show seconds in the System Tray and changes for the “Touch keyboard” setting.
The new “Energy Recommendations” page with configuration suggestions to save energy and lower carbon footprint in the “Power & Battery” settings. A new warning when your OneDrive account is running out of space with an option to purchase more storage on the “Accounts” page. An updated “Windows backup” settings that now syncs voice typing and automatic punctuation settings across all devices.
Also, the company has recently updated the “Ethernet” page to show the gateway (router) address in the network details summary, and the “Disks & Volumes” section now alerts users of potential data loss if they detect changes to the partition style.
Enable hidden changes on Windows 11 build 25247
Although most of these changes are available upon updating to build 25247, others are hidden or slowly rolling out to users.
To enable the hidden features on Windows 11, you will need to download and decompress the ViveTool command-line tool. Then you have to open the tool with Command Prompt as an administrator and run these commands:
- Trade-in or recycle your PC setting:
vivetool /enable /id:39731733 - Startup page update:
vivetool /enable /id:41075629 - Go back wizard update:
vivetool /enable /id:41670003andvivetool /enable /id:36390579 - Seconds in the System Tray:
vivetool /enable /id:41314201
Once you run the necessary commands, the new changes should appear the next time you open the Settings app.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].