• File Explorer tabs and dynamic Widgets weren't the only new features in Build 25316.
  • Apparently, Microsoft is also testing a brand new taskbar search bar Widget right now.
  • However, this feature is not activated by default and you have to turn it on by yourself.
windows 11 search widget

Windows 11 preview build 25316 has just been released to the Dev channel, with some features and UI changes that users were waiting for.

Tabbed File Explorer is finally available for testing, for a limited number of insiders, and the taskbar shows more widgets and information.

There is, however, a widget that hasn’t yet been officially advertised by the tech giant, but users found it, and it’s already public information.

Dev build 25316 has a new Taskbar search Widget

Users were quick to announce this over Twitter and other social media platforms and forums as soon as they observed the change in the OS.

Build 25136 allows placing a search button in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen alongside the weather widget.

What you should also know is that the feature is not available by default, so you need to enable it manually using the Vivetool app.

Microsoft experimenting with a Search widget in the taskbar (Windows 11 Build 25136, feature SearchBoxLowerLeft, vivetool addconfig 37010913 2) pic.twitter.com/TLu1W3ckZi

— Rafael Rivera (@WithinRafael) June 9, 2022

How do I activate the new taskbar search Widget?

  • Download Vivetool from its repository on Github.
  • Extract files to the desired location.
  • Run Command Prompt as Administrator and type CD C:\vivetool.
  • Type vivetool addconfig 37010913 2 and press Enter.
  • Restart your computer to apply the changes.

    • Before you go on and activate it, however, there is another factor you should definitely consider. Enabling hidden experimental features in preview versions of Windows 11 can have consequences.

    Keep in mind that not all these features Microsoft experiments with are eventually going to make it to the Stable Channel at some point.

    Have you already activated your new search Widget for your Windows 11 taskbar? Share your experience with us in the comments section below.

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