How to Configure Developer Mode Options in Windows 11 System Settings

How to Open Developer Settings

The developer settings live on the For developers page of the Settings ⚙️ app. This page gives you access to sideloading permissions, File Explorer 📁 options, and remote access tools. The path below matches current Windows 11 builds. On some older builds (such as early 22H2 releases), For developers sits directly under System and there is no Advanced entry. If you do not see Advanced, look for For developers in the System list instead.

1. Press the Win and the I key together to open Settings.

   

2. Select System from the left menu, then select Advanced on the right.

   

   The page now lists further system options.
3. Click For developers in the list. The page opens with the Developer Mode toggle near the top, followed by the other developer sections.

Turning on Developer Mode

Developer Mode is the main switch on the For developers page. It lets you run unpackaged apps and install apps from outside the Microsoft Store. It also lets you create symbolic links without elevating, and it gives you access to the other developer features. Windows may download a small developer package from Windows Update 🔃 the first time you turn it on, so keep the PC online.

If you are signed in with a standard account, Windows asks for administrator credentials, or the toggle may refuse to change.

1. Open the For developers page in Settings.
2. Find the Developer Mode toggle at the top of the window.
3. Click the toggle to switch it from Off to On.

   

   A warning prompt appears.
4. Read the warning. It tells you that Developer Mode lets you install apps from outside the Store, which can put your device and data at risk. Click Yes to confirm. The toggle now shows On.

To undo this, return to the same page and switch the toggle back to Off. You do not normally need to restart, but if an app still behaves as if the mode is on, sign out and back in.

Configuring File Explorer for Development

The File Explorer options on the For developers page expose hidden system files, full directory paths in the title bar, and file extensions. These are the views you need most when debugging code, since build tools and config files often live in hidden folders. The exact wording of the labels varies slightly between Windows 11 builds, and some builds show them as toggles rather than check boxes. Use the matching option either way.

1. Open the For developers page in Settings.
2. Scroll down to the File Explorer section.

   

3. Turn on Show hidden files, folders, and drives.
4. Turn on Show file name extensions.
5. Turn on Show full path in title bar.

Open a File Explorer window to check. Hidden items now appear slightly faded, file names end with their extensions, and the title bar shows the full folder path. To go back to the default view, return to this section and turn the same options off.

Setting Up Remote Desktop and SSH

Remote Desktop and SSH let you connect to your Windows 11 machine from another device on your local network. This is handy for testing applications without sitting at the physical keyboard. Note that Windows 11 Home can connect out to other PCs using Remote Desktop, but it cannot accept incoming Remote Desktop connections. The Remote Desktop toggle only works as a host on Pro, Enterprise, and Education. If it is missing or greyed out on a Home PC, that is the reason.

1. Open the For developers page in Settings.
2. Scroll to the Remote Desktop section.

   

3. Click the toggle to turn on Remote Desktop connections for this PC. If Windows asks you to confirm, click Confirm.
4. Find the Terminal or SSH section and make sure your preferred secure shell server is running if you plan to connect with command-line tools. If no SSH server is installed, you need to add one before remote shell connections will work.

Remote access that you do not use is an open door for no reason.

Unlocking Advanced PowerShell Execution Policies

PowerShell blocks scripts by default as a protection. If you build projects or manage packages with local scripts, you may need to loosen the execution policy. This is a change to a system-level setting, so you must use an administrator terminal. Choose the least permissive policy that lets your scripts run, because a looser policy lets more untrusted scripts execute.

This step requires administrator privileges.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin). Click Yes if User Account Control asks for permission.
2. Type the command Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned and press Enter. Make a note of any value it prints before you change anything, so you can restore it later.
3. Type Y and press Enter to confirm the change when prompted.

After the change, you can run your local scripts in a new PowerShell window. If a script is still blocked, close and reopen the terminal. If a group policy controls the setting on your PC, Windows will report that the change was overridden. In that case, see the last section of this guide.

Troubleshooting Common Developer Mode Errors

If Developer Mode will not turn on, start with the basics. Check your internet connection first, because Windows fetches specific components from Windows Update. Missing updates or corrupted system files can stop that download. Restarting your computer often clears temporary installation blocks.

1. Confirm that the PC is online and can reach Windows Update. A metered or restricted connection can delay the download.
2. Restart the PC, then try the Developer Mode toggle again.
3. If the toggle still reverts to Off, open Settings, go to Windows Update, and click Check for updates. Let all pending system patches finish installing, restart if asked, and try again.

If this didn't work

If the basics do not help, check your account rights. Developer settings change system-level policies, so your user account must hold administrator rights. A standard account can open the page but cannot apply the change.

Domain-joined work or school computers often block these settings through group policy. In that case the toggle may be greyed out, or it may switch back to Off after you set it. You may also see a message that some settings are managed by your organization. You cannot override this from Settings. Check with your IT department, or test the configuration on a personal PC or a local administrator account that is not managed by a policy.