Discover Hidden Features of Windows 11 25H2: New Start Menu, Battery Percentage, AI Actions, and More

Windows 11 has recently undergone a significant update as part of the November 2025 Patch Tuesday rollout. This update introduces a plethora of new features, such as a revamped Start menu, vibrant battery icons, and the innovative “AI Actions” integrated into the File Explorer context menu. However, it’s important to note that this rollout happens in stages, meaning not everyone will receive these updates immediately.

For those eager to access these features ahead of time, Windows functionalities are associated with distinct feature IDs. Using a reliable open-source tool named “ViVeTool, ” you can manually toggle these features on. While this application is safe, proceed with caution to ensure that you enter the correct IDs. Entering a wrong feature ID might lead to issues on your system.

If you prefer not to wait for the gradual rollout, don’t worry. I have compiled a list of the correct feature IDs that will enable these new functionalities. By following the instructions and replacing the placeholder IDs with the appropriate ones, you can activate the features one at a time.

Activating Hidden Features in Windows 11 (Versions 25H2 or 24H2)

First, ensure your PC has the KB5068861 update or newer installed, which upgrades your system to build number 26200.7171 / 26100.7171 or later. You can check your current OS build by navigating to Settings > System > About.
Next, download the ViVeTool from GitHub and extract the files to your C drive.
Open Command Prompt as an administrator by pressing the Win key, typing cmd, and then pressing Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
Change the directory to where you saved ViVeTool by typing cd C:\ and hitting Enter. If ViVeTool is located in a different folder, navigate there accordingly, e.g., cd C:\Users\thema\Downloads\Compressed\ViVe.
Type vivetool and hit Enter to confirm that the tool is operational; you should see detailed information about it in the Command Prompt window.
You can now use ViVeTool to activate the desired hidden features with the following command template: vivetool /enable /id:IDnumber.
Input the specific feature ID and press Enter to activate the feature. For instance, to enable the updated Start menu, you would type: vivetool /enable /id:47205210.
If you encounter features that require multiple IDs, separate them with a comma in your command for simultaneous activation.
Finally, restart your PC to apply all changes.

Below is a list of commands to enable some exciting new features:

New Start Menu: vivetool /enable /id:47205210
New Battery Icon: vivetool /enable /id:48822452, 48433719
Administrator Protection: vivetool /enable /id:45172197
AI Actions in File Explorer: vivetool /enable /id:54792954, 55345819

A Closer Look at the Update

The primary enhancement in this update appears to be the customizable Start Menu, which now allows for pinned icons at the top and provides various layouts for the app list. Personally, I find the Category layout particularly efficient, as it occupies less screen real estate.

Additionally, the Start menu is now adaptive, seamlessly adjusting to display scales. Users also have the option to completely hide the Recommended section—a welcome relief for many who’ve found it cluttered over the years.

The **AI Actions in File Explorer** feature aims to streamline your workflow by suggesting alternative applications for better file editing. For example, you might receive an option to edit images in Paint, which can execute AI-driven background erasing without needing a Copilot+ device.

The new *Administrator Protection* feature adds an extra layer of security with a PIN requirement for tasks that require elevated permissions. Previously, Windows displayed a generic User Account Control (UAC) prompt, which did not mandate entering a device PIN.

Now, enabling Administrator Protection ensures that users must enter their device PIN for actions requiring elevated privileges.

administrator protection dialog box windows 11 25h2

Lastly, the revamped Battery indicator icon now features multiple color schemes to easily identify different battery statuses—whether full, charging, or low. This visual display also includes the battery percentage directly on the taskbar, promoting better awareness of power levels.

Taskbar battery with energy saver turned on

In conclusion, this update brings forth an array of features designed to enhance user experience and streamline functionality within Windows 11. Embrace these changes to fully leverage your PC’s capabilities.

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