How to enable new Task Manager on Windows 11

Windows 11 has a new Task Manager design with dark mode support – here's how to enable it.

Avatar for Mauro Huculak
@Pureinfotech
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Task Manager dark mode
Task Manager dark mode

On Windows 11, you can now enable an early preview of the new Task Manager that brings a new design using rounded corners, mica material, and new iconography that matches the new design language we have seen across the latest version of the OS available through the Windows Insider Program.

The redesigned app has been announced with the release of Windows 11 build 22557, but since a number of users have been reporting Task Manager rolling back to the classic version, you can use a third-party tool known as “ViVeTool” created by Rafael Rivera and Lucas on GitHub to enable the new experience on your device.

This guide will teach you the steps to turn on the new Task Manager hidden in the latest insider preview of Windows 11 from the Dev channel.

Enable new Task Manager design on Windows 11

To enable the new Task Manager on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open this GitHub website.

  2. Download the ViveTool-vx.x.x.zip file to enable the new Task Manager.

  3. Double-click the zip folder to open it with File Explorer.

  4. Click the Extract all button.

    Extract ViveTool files

  5. Click the Extract button.

  6. Copy the path to the folder.

  7. Open Start menu.

  8. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

  9. Type the following command to navigate to the ViveTool folder and press Enter:

    cd C:\FOLDER\PATH\ViveTool-v0.2.1

    In the command, remember to change the path to the folder with your path.

  10. Type the following command to enable the new Task Manager design on Windows 11 and press Enter:

    vivetool addconfig 35908098 2

    Enable new Task Manager

  11. Restart the computer.

Once you complete the steps, the resigned Task Manager experience will be available on your installation of Windows 11.

In the case you don’t have the Windows 11 build 22557 on your computer, you need to enroll in the Dev Channel using the “Windows Insider Program” settings from the “Windows Update” section. Once you enroll the device in the program, you can download build 22557 from the “Windows Update” settings by clicking the Check for Updates button, and then you can follow the steps outlined above.

If you change your mind, you can revert the changes with the same instructions, but on step No. 10, make sure to use these commands: vivetool delconfig 35908098 2 and then restart the device.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

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 14 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 20 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].