Win11 Preview 25217 tests the new feature: change the location of the search button on the taskbar

CTOnews.com, Oct. 7, Microsoft released Windows 11 preview Build 25217 to the development channel earlier today, adding support for third-party widgets. Not only that, Microsoft also hides a feature in this preview. Specifically, Microsoft is experimenting with a new feature that moves the search button from the middle of the taskbar to the left.

The hidden feature was discovered by blogger @ PhantomOfEarh that Windows 11 build 25217 introduced more substantial changes to the search button. A new hidden ID allows users to move the standard search icon in the middle of the taskbar next to the gadget button in the left corner of the screen and display it as a search box. This option is enabled under Settings > taskbar > taskbar items.

CTOnews.com has learned that since unannounced features tend to be unstable, back up important data before using ViveTool applications and enabling hidden features.

Here is how to enable the new search button settings in Windows 11 build 25217:

1. Download ViveTool from GitHub and extract the file in the appropriate location. For example, in C:\ Vive.

2. Press Win + X and select terminal (Admin).

3. Use the arrow down button on the label bar to switch the terminal (Terminal) to the command prompt (Command Prompt) configuration file.

4. Use the CD command to navigate to the folder containing the ViveTool file. For example, CD C:\ Vive.

Enter "vivetool / enable / id:40887771".

Press enter and restart your computer.

Open the settings application and go to personalization > taskbar > taskbar items > search. Note: disable ID 39072097 if the search box appears to the left of the start menu button.

To recover these changes, repeat the steps above and enter "vivetool / disable / id:40887771" in step 5.