Microsoft’s StagingTool App for Enabling Hidden Windows 11 Features Leaks
- Laurent Giret
- Aug 03, 2023
-
0
With the start of the latest Windows Insider bug bash yesterday, it appears that Microsoft has accidentally shared its internal “StagingTool” app that can be used to enable hidden features in Windows 11 Insider builds. The tool was first discovered in some bug bash quests by Windows Insider Xenopanther (via Windows Central) before Microsoft eventually removed it.
The installer for Microsoft’s StagingTool app is still being shared on the Internets, and it works like third-party apps such as ViveTool that Windows enthusiasts have been using to discover hidden features in Windows 11 preview builds. Another use case for this app is to turn on new features that Microsoft releases as a controlled feature rollout, which is often a source of frustration for Insiders eager to test new features.
Windows Intelligence In Your Inbox
Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — and get free copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift!
"*" indicates required fields
Some quests include a valid link to a staging tool that appears to be like vivetool pic.twitter.com/MUXPzQlbsy
— Xeno (@XenoPanther) August 2, 2023
Microsoft’s StagingTool app has a command line interface, and Insiders need to use specific feature IDs to make disabled features go live on Windows 11. If you’re not afraid to experiment, the app isn’t too hard to find and it may become a useful resource within the Windows Insider community.
While this is a strange misstep from the Windows Insider team, the Windows Insider bug bash is still ongoing and will last until Monday, August 7. Yesterday, Microsoft released new Windows 11 preview builds for Insiders on the Dev and Beta channel, and the Windows Copilot Preview is now available in the latter.