Microsoft finally lets Windows 11 testers unlock experimental features without ViVeTool

Microsoft is finally allowing Windows 11 testers to access experimental features without having to download a third-party app like ViVeTool. The changes help make the Windows Insider Program (WIP) less confusing, with Dev and Canary testing rings streamlined into a new experimental channel alongside a refresh of the existing beta channel.

Microsoft has been using a technology called Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) for years to gradually roll out new features to all Windows 11 users. While it’s an industry standard, it’s often frustrating to try to access experimental features in Windows 11 and realize that Microsoft is A/B testing what was just announced and you’re not on the list. Alec Oot, senior product manager at Microsoft Group, even admits that unpredictability often means “you don’t get the new features that motivated many of you to join the Insider program to begin with.”

You usually have to download ViVeTool and find the feature ID you need to enable to access the newly announced features, but this will no longer be the case. Windows Insiders in the new Experimental Channel will now be able to enable or disable specific features through a new Feature Flags page in the Settings app. The updated beta channel will also no longer offer a gradual rollout of features.

“We’ll start by enabling feature flags for visible new features announced in WIP,” says Oot. “This means that less visible changes announced in WIP, like bug fixes and system improvements, may not be present in the feature flags.” Microsoft is seeking feedback on the rollout of this new feature flags setting, and it’s likely that Windows enthusiasts will continue to find unannounced secret Windows 11 changes that will still require the use of ViVeTool – but at least you won’t miss out on A/B testing once the features are official.

Simplified channels for Windows 11 testing are also another much-needed change. I follow Windows testing every week, but it’s often difficult to determine what new features appear in the beta, dev, and canary channels.

“For most Insiders, choosing the beta or experimental channel will be all you need to get set up, but for those who want to go further, we’re adding an advanced option to choose your major version of Windows compatible with your hardware,” says Oot. “The experimental channel will also contain another Future Platforms option, which is our first preview release for Windows and is not aligned with a retail version of Windows.”

This new Future Platforms option is designed for Windows enthusiasts and developers who want access to the very latest test builds of Windows 11. It looks like the Experimental Channel will be the best option for those who want to test new features as they appear, while the Beta Channel will be a more stable version of that which will then be migrated to Release Preview before rolling out to all Windows 11 users.

Finally, Microsoft is also making it easier to move between different testing channels or stop participating in Windows Insider builds altogether without having to reinstall Windows 11. “We’re making some changes behind the scenes to allow Insider builds to use an in-place upgrade (IPU) to move between versions,” says Oot. “This will in most cases allow Insiders to upgrade from Experimental to Beta and Preview on the same major version of Windows, or exit the program without a clean install.”