Collection of Windows 10 Hidden Secret Registry Tweaks

We know that Microsoft regularly releases free Insider Preview builds of Windows 10 operating system to public which can be downloaded and installed to test new features and provide feedback and suggestions to Microsoft.

Microsoft puts various experimental features in Windows 10 to test their functionality but sometimes the company doesn’t activate these features because these features might not be complete and can cause problems to users. On the other hand, sometimes new features are enabled to replace old features but Microsoft also keeps the old features in the OS hidden from users.

Most of the times these new and old features can be enabled or disabled using various Registry tweaks which are applied using Registry Editor tool.

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We have received many emails and comments from our readers who shared various Registry tweaks to enable new hidden secret experimental features in Windows 10 as well as to disable new features and to bring back old features in Windows 10.

Instead of creating separate articles for all of them, we decided to put them together in this exclusive topic for your reading convenience. Special thanks to our readers Ashfaq, Matthew, Johan and Keshav for sharing these tweaks.

So today in this tutorial, we are going to share a few Registry tweaks for Windows 10 which will allow you to activate some new hidden secret experimental features in Windows 10 and to restore previous classic features if required.

Related: Hidden Secret Features and Useful Hotkeys in Windows 10

So without wasting time lets start the tutorial:

STEP 1:

Press WIN+R keys together to launch RUN dialog box or you can open it using WIN+X menu.

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STEP 2:

Now type regedit in RUN dialog box and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.

STEP 3:

Now go to following keys and change mentioned DWORD values to enable/disable Windows 10 features:

NOTE: Ready-made registry scripts are given at the end to do the task automatically.

1. Show Seconds in Taskbar Clock

With the help of this interesting Registry tweak, you can enable seconds display in the Clock present in notification area (system tray) of Taskbar as shown in following screenshot:

Show_Seconds_Windows_10_Taskbar_Clock.png

1. In Registry Editor, go to following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

2. In right-side pane, create new DWORD ShowSecondsInSystemClock and set its value to 1

3. Restart, log off or restart Explorer as given here to take effect and now Taskbar Clock will start displaying seconds.

If you want to remove seconds display in Taskbar Clock, delete the DWORD ShowSecondsInSystemClock.

2. Increase Taskbar Transparency Level

By default, Windows 10 Taskbar comes with Aero glass transparency effect but the transparency level is not very high. With the help of following Registry tweak, you can increase transparency level of Windows 10 Taskbar and can add extra clear transparency effect to the Taskbar:

Registry_Tweak_Taskbar_Transparency_Windows_10.png

1. In Registry Editor, go to following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

2. In right-side pane, create new DWORD UseOLEDTaskbarTransparency and set its value to 1

3. Restart, log off or restart Explorer as given here to take effect and it’ll make Windows 10 Taskbar more transparent.

If you want to restore Taskbar default transparency level in future, delete the DWORD UseOLEDTaskbarTransparency.

Also Check: How to Enable Aero Glass Transparency with Blur in Windows 10?

3. Disable Login Screen Background Image

Microsoft has put the new “Hero” wallpaper as the background image of Login Screen in Windows 10. Interested people can disable or remove it using following method:

Default_Windows_10_Login_Screen.png

1. In Registry Editor, go to following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System

2. In right-side pane, create new DWORD DisableLogonBackgroundImage and set its value to 1

3. Restart your computer and it’ll remove the background image from login screen.

If you want to restore Login Screen background image in future, delete the DWORD DisableLogonBackgroundImage.

Also Check:

[Windows 10 Fun Tip] Disable Login Screen and Lock Screen and Enable Console Mode

4. Enable Hidden Secret Dark Theme Mode

Windows 10 comes with a hidden secret Dark theme mode which can be unlocked and tested in Modern (metro) apps:

Windows_10_Dark_Theme_Mode.png

1. In Registry Editor, go to following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize

2. In right-side pane, create a new DWORD AppsUseLightTheme and leave its value to 0

3. That’s it. Now you can enjoy dark UI in all modern apps including Settings app.

To restore default UI, delete the new DWORD AppsUseLightTheme.

PS: In previous testing builds of Windows 10, the DWORD was actually SystemUsesLightTheme which was replaced with AppsUseLightTheme in final version of Windows 10.

UPDATE: Now this dark theme feature is officially available in Settings app:

[Tip] Enable Dark or Light Theme Modes in Windows 10

5. Disable New Volume Control UI and Restore Previous UI

Microsoft has added a new horizontal UI for volume control slider in Windows 10 which is shown when you click on the Sound icon in Taskbar notification area. If you don’t like the new UI, you can restore previous vertical volume control slider using following method:

Windows_10_Volume_Control_Slider_Change.png

1. In Registry Editor, go to following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\

2. Create a new key MTCUVC under CurrentVersion key.

3. Now in right-side pane, create new DWORD EnableMtcUvc and set its value to 0

If you want to restore new volume control UI, delete the DWORD EnableMtcUvc.

6. Disable New Network Flyout UI and Restore Previous UI

Microsoft has added a new fly-out for Network icon in Taskbar notification area. If you don’t like the new UI, you can restore previous Windows 8/8.1 style Network sidebar using following method:

Windows_10_Network_Flyout_Change.png

1. In Registry Editor, go to following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Control Panel\Settings\Network

2. Now take ownership of Network key with the help of this guide.

3. Now in right-side pane, change the value of DWORD ReplaceVan to as following:

0 – Default flyout
1 – To open Network Settings window
2 – To show Windows 8/8.1 style Network sidebar

7. Disable New Tray Clock and Calendar UI and Restore Previous UI

You can use following method to disable the new Modern (Metro) style Clock and Calendar UI and restore good ol’ classic Date/Time UI in Windows 10 Taskbar Notification Area (aka System Tray):

Windows_10_Calendar_Flyout_Change.png

1. In Registry Editor, go to following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell

2. In right-side pane, create a new DWORD UseWin32TrayClockExperience and set its value to 1

That’s it. It’ll immediately disable the new Clock and Calendar UI and restore classic UI in system tray.

If you want to restore new Clock UI, delete the new DWORD UseWin32TrayClockExperience.

8. Disable New Battery Fly-out and Restore Previous UI

You can use following method to disable the new Modern (Metro) style Battery fly-out and restore good ol’ classic Battery info UI in Windows 10 Taskbar Notification Area (aka System Tray):

Windows_10_Battery_Flyout_Change.png

1. In Registry Editor, go to following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell

2. In right-side pane, create a new DWORD UseWin32BatteryFlyout and set its value to 1

That’s it. It’ll immediately disable the new Battery fly-out and restore classic UI in system tray.

If you want to restore new Battery fly-out, delete the new DWORD UseWin32BatteryFlyout.

Also Check: [Tip] Disable Modern UAC Prompt and Credential UI in Windows 10

9. Disable New Action Center Sidebar and Restore Previous UI

Microsoft has updated Action Center (or Notification Center) UI in Windows 10. Now it opens as a sidebar and contains new quick action switches.

Following method will allow you to disable this new UI and restore previous fly-out UI of Action Center:

Windows_10_Action_Center_UI_Change.png

1. In Registry Editor, go to following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell

2. In right-side pane, change value of UseActionCenterExperience DWORD to 0

3. Restart, log off or restart Explorer as given here to take effect and it’ll disable the new Action Center UI.

If you want to restore new UI, change value of UseActionCenterExperience DWORD to 1 again.

Also Check:

10. Completely Disable Action Center in Windows 10

If you don’t like the new Action Center in Windows 10, you can disable it using following method:

1. In Registry Editor, go to following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer

2. In right-side pane, create new DWORD DisableNotificationCenter and set its value to 1

3. Restart, log off or restart Explorer as given here to take effect and it’ll completely disable Notifications and Action Center in Windows 10.

If you want to re-enable it, delete the new DWORD DisableNotificationCenter.

Also Check:

11. Activate New Experimental Login Screen

Microsoft has put a new experimental Login Screen in Windows 10 builds which is not enabled by default. It features new rounded user pictures (avatars) along with a few other UI changes.

Windows_10_Secret_Login_Screen.png

You can activate it using following method:

1. In Registry Editor, go to following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\TestHooks

2. In right-side pane, change value of Threshold to 1

That’s it. It’ll immediately enable the new login screen.

If you want to restore default Login Screen, change value of Threshold to 0 again.

PS: This new login screen is under development and contains many bugs, that’s why its not enabled at the moment. Some people have faced problems after enabling this new login screen such as not able to log into Windows after restart or a clean boot.

Also Check: Download Windows 10 Hidden Secret Login Screen for Windows 7

12. Disable New Xaml Start Menu and Enable Previous Start Menu

Microsoft has replaced previous Windows 10 Start Menu with a new one in the latest Windows 10 build 9926 which is a little bit buggy and can’t be resized. Luckily, the old Start Menu still exists in the OS. Interested people can enable the old resizable Start Menu in Windows 10 using following method:

New_Start_Menu_with_Live_Tiles.png

1. In Registry Editor, go to following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

2. In right-side pane create a new DWORD EnableXamlStartMenu and leave its value to 0

3. Restart, log off or restart Explorer as given here to take effect and enjoy the old Start Menu in Windows 10.

This tweak will also enable previous Start Screen and you’ll also be able to switch between Start Menu and Start Screen again using Taskbar Properties as mentioned here.

To restore the new Start Menu, delete the new DWORD EnableXamlStartMenu.

13. Enable Jump List Feature in Windows 10 Start Menu

You can use following trick to enable jump list feature in Windows 10 Start Menu:

Windows_10_Start_Menu_Jumplist.png

1. In Registry Editor, go to following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

2. In right-side pane create a new DWORD EnableXamlJumpView and set its value to 1

3. Restart your computer to take effect and enjoy jump lists in Start Menu of Windows 10.

To remove jump list feature from Start Menu, delete the new DWORD EnableXamlJumpView.

14. Disable New Windows Update UI and Enable Previous UI

Microsoft has also updated Windows Update UI in the latest Windows 10 build 9926 and some people are facing problems with this new UI.

Interested people can disable this new Windows Update UI and bring back the old UI using following method:

Windows_10_Update_Progressbar_Status.png

1. In Registry Editor, go to following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX

2. In right-side pane, change value of IsConvergedUpdateStackEnabled DWORD to 0

That’s it. It’ll immediately disable the new Windows Update UI.

If you want to restore new Windows Update UI, change value of IsConvergedUpdateStackEnabled DWORD to 1 again.

Ready-Made Registry Scripts

For your convenience, we are also providing ready-made Registry scripts to do the task automatically. You’ll not need to open Registry Editor and change values. You just need to download following ZIP file, extract it and then run the given .REG files to enable/disable Windows 10 features:

Download Registry Scripts to Enable/Disable Windows 10 Hidden Secret Features

Extra Registry scripts are also present in the ZIP file to restore default settings.

That’s all guys. If you also know about any other interesting Registry tweak for Windows 10, feel free to share it with us and we’ll add it to the list…

Also Check:

[Tip] Enable Hidden Secret “Samples” Page in Windows 10 Settings

[Tip] Hidden Secret “Retail Demo Mode” in Windows 10

2 Hidden Secret Features of Windows 10 Start Menu

[Tip] Restoring Classic Programs and User Interface in Windows 10

Published in: Windows 10

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. ^^ Thats a nice suggestion but the problem is, many of these tweaks have been mentioned in other tutorials with their numbers. So if I change order of these tweaks in this topic, it’ll create confusions among readers if they open this page from another tutorial to find a particular tweak number.

  2. Please, I need the registry entries to enable system restore in windows 10.
    Thanks

  3. EnableXamlJumpView value is not allowed to be changed in my version of Win 10 Pro Anniv

  4. ^^ It might be done by some 3rd party software. Try to disable audio driver software from startup using Task Manager.

  5. Hi VG,

    Great collection…

    Do you have some registry tweaks that make the (vertical) line spacing in Explorer and Outlook (left folder pane) smaller?

    Would appreciate it very much!

    Thanks!

  6. I can’t get the old start menu tweak to work on Windows 10 Enterprise v1709. The registry entry is there and DWORD is 0, but nothing changes with the start menu. Any ideas?

  7. ^^ Unfortunately that registry tweak no longer works in newer Windows 10 versions. Microsoft removed it.

  8. Hi VG. I have an issue with the 3.5mmJack, it’s stuck in line in mode, and I can’t change it back to headset.
    I was looking for systems logs like eventvwr to see the device id, but no luck.
    I also changed a couple of values in registry, but on reboot they reverted.

    If I uninstall realtek drivers, it works for 5 minutes and then some kind of restore happens and it reverts back to line in.
    Really persistent values! But not what I want.

  9. ^^ Seems a driver related problem to me. I’ll advise you to uninstall sound card driver and then reinstall it.

  10. ^^ When you remove a drive from Device Manager, the box contains a checkbox to remove installation files. Select that option. After than run latest driver installer downloaded from manufacturer website.

  11. Thanks for this nice information. But “Disable New Tray Clock and Calendar UI and Restore Previous UI” and “Disable New Action Center Sidebar and Restore Previous UI” these two steps not working, so I deleted these two registry and again created these registry, also I restarted my laptop 2 to 3 times(after delete, and after create these registry) but still no changes appear(only in these two steps). I am using Acer Aspire E5-511 comes with 2GB of RAM and Pentium Processor, also I am using Windows 10 Creative Update 64 Bit.

  12. Hi, I want to change the booting time of some programs individually. For example when the computer boots up I want viber to boot after 30 seconds and lets say I want whatsapp to boot after 40 seconds. Where can I find in the registry these data. There are a few programs which does this, but I do not like them .
    With best regards

  13. Hi VG

    thanks for the great stuff you have posted. I have a little request though.

    How can we change the default font and size on windows 10 mail app which is currently font zie 11 Calibiri to something else. Is there is registry tweak?

    Much appreciated for your time.

  14. ^^ I’m not aware of any registry tweak to customize Mail app fonts. To be honest I don’t use the app.

  15. my kingdom for a reg tweak to view dB in the network flyout instead of the dumbed down 3-bar icon to know signal strengths of wireless connections around you.

  16. I’ve had ShowSecondsInSystemClock=1 for a while now, but recently (not sure how long ago, perhaps a few months), the seconds stop ticking. Only when I press the Windows key to pop-up the start-menu, the clock refreshes. Or when I hover the mouse pointer above the time, it will tick. Other than that, it just stays frozen.

    Any ideas?

  17. 3.11 was great everything could be custom.
    I NEED a way to increase font size in win 10 file explorer!! Ive searched like mad, no help!

  18. For Windows 10 20H1/19041/2004 the following registry enables the theme aware start menu and some other features like new notification design:

    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FeatureManagement\Overrides\0\2093230218]
    “EnabledState”=dword:00000002
    “EnabledStateOptions”=dword:00000000

  19. Great collection, and I appreciate all the hard work!!!!

    Is there a way to increase the size of the taskbar program indicator that displays next to or below your open programs in the taskbar? Unfortunately, my display settings cannot be changed, and the open program indicators are not easily visible on the edge of my monitor.

    Many thanks,
    Tom

  20. Would you find help with the current problem here? Windows 10 latest update Feature update Windows 10, version 20H2 sadly changes the look of Windows home screen, its colors. There are also other things in the update that many users don’t like. How to apply previous colors or change the colors of bricks?

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