Microsoft introduces new extended settings for Windows 11

If you are traveling regularly in the “deeper levels” of Windows 11, you can look forward to a practical innovation. Microsoft fundamentally transforms the previous “for developers” area in the system settings.

New “expanded” area for all users

The function not only receives a new name, but also a clearer structure and additional options.

“For developers” to “expanded”

The setting area, which was previously mainly designed for programmers, will in future be managed under the name “expanded”. This renaming is more than a cosmetic nature – it signals that Microsoft wants to make these functions accessible to a wider audience. While the name “for developers” has certainly put on many users, the new name also invites interested home users to explore.

Useful functions from the set DEV Home app

The change also brings with it a clearer organization. Functions for the file explorer are no longer hidden in a fold-out menu, but get their own, more easily accessible area. Settings for virtual work areas and the Windows sandbox are now also presented more clearly. An interesting aspect of the innovation is the integration of functions from the DEV Home app, which Microsoft will stop in May 2025. However, users of this app do not have to do without popular features, since selected functions hike directly into the operating system.

Relic from the MS-DOS days

The supports taken over includes support for long file paths. This function is particularly useful, since Windows limits paths to 260 characters by default-a relic from the MS-DOS days. With the activated option, these restrictions can be avoided, which can be helpful for complex project structures or when working with GIT repositories. Other integrated functions include setting options for remote desktop and the activation of the source code tracking in the file explorer.

From the past discovery to broader availability

While the change is only now being made accessible to a broader user, it was by no means undetected. The well-known Windows expert Phantom of Earth had already discovered and documented the innovation on platform X at the beginning of May. His early discovery gave a first insight into Microsoft’s plans long before the company officially released the function for insider testers.

Current availability status

The new “expanded” page is not yet accessible to all users. At the moment she can find herself in the Windows Server Build 26404 and was also discovered in the current Windows 11 insider builds of the DEV and beta channels. If you want to try the function now, you need the Vivetool and must execute the following command in an administrator command line: Vivetool /Enable /ID: 56005157

After a restart of the system, the new page appears in the settings under the “System” area.