Windows 10: Microsoft accidentally leaks Windows 11's Staging Tool

Microsoft's recent fumble has given tech enthusiasts an unexpected glimpse into the inner workings of its upcoming features of Windows 11 operating system.

The inadvertent leak of an internal tool, known as "Staging Tool," has shed light on a secretive realm of Windows 11 that developers and engineers use to experiment with features not yet ready for the public eye.

See Microsoft Staging Tool in the by Xeno on X below.

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
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What is Windows 11's Staging Tool?


According to Windows Central, the accidental exposure of the StagingTool, as part of a "bug bash" event where users provide feedback to squash bugs, has allowed a peek behind the curtain of Microsoft's software development processes.

This tool acts as a command-line interface, a set of digital commands, used by internal testers to activate or deactivate hidden Windows 11 features by utilizing "feature IDs". While third-party alternatives like ViveTool and Mach2 have existed, Staging Tool stands out as Microsoft's official mechanism.

Staging Tool essentially empowers users to venture beyond the boundaries set by Microsoft's A/B testing methodology. With A/B testing, only a select group of Windows Insiders gain access to experimental features before they're widely released. Staging Tool disrupts this approach, allowing enthusiasts to tap into these features, often referred to as "hidden flags", and explore Windows 11's ongoing development.


Microsoft Windows 11 staging tool lets users take a glimpse into hidden features of Windows - Image courtesy of Windows Central
How to use Staging Tool in Windows 11


To use the StagingTool, users need to input specific "feature IDs". These IDs act as keys, unlocking the potential of various hidden features.

Interestingly, many of these IDs can be sourced from GitHub. Once the appropriate feature IDs are provided, Staging Tool commands can be executed, toggling the activation or deactivation of these features according to the version of Windows 11 Insider Preview being used.

With users now equipped to access hidden features ahead of official release, Microsoft might need to rethink its strategy of gradual feature rollouts.

Featured image credit: Image by wirestock on Freepik.

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Microsoft Windows Vista Prices Revealed

Microsoft has accidentally leaked some details of the price of its next-generation operating system. U.S. full/upgrade prices:

• Windows Vista Ultimate $349/$199
• Windows Vista Business $269/179
• Windows Vista Home Premium $239/$139
• Windows Vista Home Basic $199/$99

Source: ZDNet

 

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Windows 7 top feature request list leaked to the public

With Windows still managing to find its way to over 95 percent of the desktop computers sold each year, it's not surprising that one can find plenty of people interested in giving their feedback about what future versions of Windows should be able to do.

A few years ago, before Windows Vista had even shipped, Microsoft sent out a wish list form asking people what features they would like to see in the next version of Windows, currently code-named Windows 7. The top wished-for features in this list were recently leaked to the public and have popped up at various sites (e.g., Neowin). While anonymous sources at Microsoft tell us that they bear no relationship to the actual feature set Microsoft is currently writing for Windows 7, the list does provide interesting insight into what the Windows-using public most wants from Windows.

The features are listed in no particular order, but they break down into various categories depending on what part of Windows the feature request falls under. Many requests for improvements in Internet Explorer, such as a session restore function, are fairly obvious wishes for features that already exist in competitive products such as Firefox and Opera. Other suggestions, such as a tabbed Windows Explorer, look for features from web browsers to migrate into the general user interface.





Some of the feature requests are clearly unrealistic, such as the desire to "back up" Xbox 360 games to the PC (yeah, I don't think Microsoft will be doing that one). Others are minor user interface enhancements that would be nice additions but wouldn't really change the Windows experience, such as a progress bar when hibernating the system. However, there are a few that make good sense and would be welcome additions to the operating system, such as a built-in video and audio codec manager.

A Windows 7 insider who wishes to remain anonymous told Ars that the leaked feature list was gathered before any real development on Windows 7 was started, and readers should not expect to see requests from the list necessarily implemented in Microsoft’s next major Windows release.