How to enable new features for Windows 11 May 2026 Update (KB5083631)

The Windows 11 May 2026 Update (KB5079473) is rolling out on May 12, 2026, for versions 25H2 and 24H2, with new features and fixes.
Since Microsoft enables changes gradually, you can manually unlock the new features by installing the update and running the ViVeTool command vivetool /enable /id:58989070 in Command Prompt (admin).

The Windows 11 May 2026 Security Update for versions 25H2 and 24H2 is rolling out on May 12, 2026, and you can manually force-enable most of the upcoming changes using these instructions.

The new features and improvements for the next cumulative update, “2026-05 Preview Update (KB5079473) (26200.8313),” are now available as an optional install through the Release Preview Channel. However, since Microsoft rolls out features gradually, not everyone gets them immediately. If you want early access, you can use the ViveTool (via @PhantomOfEarth) command-line utility to unlock the new features on your computer.

In this guide, I’ll outline the steps to enable (most) of the improvements that are included with the May 2026 Security Update for Windows 11.

Important: This ViveTool code does not guarantee that all features included in the May 2026 update will be enabled. Also, these IDs change frequently, and once Microsoft permanently integrates a feature or improvement into the operating system, the associated IDs stop working. I will update this guide as soon as new details become available.

Enable new May 2026 features on Windows 11

To enable all the new features and changes for the Windows 11 update KB5079473, follow these steps:

Open the GitHub website.
Download the ViveTool-vx.x.x.zip file to enable all the new features for May 2026.
Double-click the zip folder to open it with File Explorer.
Click the Extract all button.
Click the Extract button.
Copy the path to the folder.
Open Start.
Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
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.
Type the following command to enable virtually all the new features and press Enter:
```
vivetool /enable /id:58989070
```
Restart the computer to apply the changes.

Once you complete the steps, the command should enable the features and changes introduced in build 26200.8313 for Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2.

If you want to undo the changes, you can follow the same instructions outlined above, but in step 10, run the vivetool /disable /id:58989070 command. You can also run the vivetool /fullreset command to reset any customization you may have enabled using this tool.

Install Windows 11 May 2026 Security Update

To install the Windows 11 build 26200.8313 (KB5079473), follow these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Windows Update.
(Optional) Check the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle switch.
Click the “Check for updates” button.
(Optional) Click the “Download and install” option to apply a preview of an upcoming update of Windows 11.
Click the Restart now button.

Once you complete the steps, if an update is available, it will download and install automatically on Windows 11. However, if you’re reading this before the update arrives in the Stable Channel, you’ll have to enroll your computer in the Release Preview Channel.

FAQs about the Windows 11 May 2026 Update

If you still have questions about the May 2026 update for Windows 11, the following FAQs will help clarify what’s new and how to enable the latest features.

What’s the ViveTool command to enable the May 2026 features for Windows 11?

To enable the new feature with the ViveTool, you have to run the vivetool /enable /id:58989070 command.

Will I enable all of the features by running the ViveTool command?

No, since some features are not available to everyone (even after running the ViveTool commands), and others are limited to specific regions.

Why do I need to run the ViveTool command to enable the new features?

You don’t have to use the ViveTool, but some people want to access the improvements as soon as possible. The problem is that Microsoft rolls out new features gradually, even after they’re officially available. The idea is that if something breaks, the company can quickly stop the problem from spreading to more devices.

What features and changes are available with the May 2026 update for Windows 11?

As part of this Patch Tuesday Update, Microsoft is rolling out several features and improvements. Some of these changes include Xbox mode for PCs, File Explorer improvements like “preview anyway” for downloaded content, haptic feedback effects, Drop Tray, Taskbar AI agent support, debloat policy changes, new driver policy update, and more.

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