How to enable new virtual disks settings on Windows 11

Here are the steps to try an early preview of the new virtual disks management settings on Windows 11.

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@Pureinfotech
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Windows 11 create virtual disks settings
Windows 11 create virtual disks settings

On Windows 11 build 25324 (Canary Channel), you can enable an early preview of a new experience to create virtual disks from the Settings app.

Although the operating system already includes an option to create virtual disks, the only interface that allows you to complete this task is Disk Management. However, starting with build 25324, Windows 11 ports the feature to the Settings app, more specifically to the “Disks & volumes” settings.

The option is still under development, and it was first spotted by @thebookisclosed on Twitter. Once you enable the option, you open a new wizard to create and attach virtual hard disks (VHD and VHDX) from the Settings app.

If you want to get hands-on with the new feature, you can use a third-party tool called “ViveTool,” created by Rafael Rivera and Lucas on GitHub, to enable the option on your computer.

This guide will teach you the steps to turn on this new feature on Windows 11.

Enable new virtual disks settings on Windows 11

To enable the new settings to create VHD and VHDX on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open GitHub website.

  2. Download the ViveTool-vx.x.x.zip file to enable the new Create VHD option.

  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.

  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.x.x

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

  10. Type the following command to enable the new virtual disk settings on Windows 11 and press Enter:

    vivetool /enable /id:42401084

  11. Restart the computer.

Once you complete the steps, in the “Disks & volumes” settings, you will find a new entry to open the wizard to create virtual drives on Windows 11 from the Settings app.

If you change your mind, you can revert the changes with the same instructions, but on step 10, make sure to use the vivetool /disable /id:42401084 command and then restart the computer.

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].