How to Enable or Disable Developer Mode in Windows 11

What is Developer Mode?

What is Developer Mode? In essence, Developer Mode is a Windows 11 setting that lets users install apps from sources other than the Microsoft Store. Software creators and testers rely on this setting to run and debug their own apps directly on local hardware.

Software creators using tools like Visual Studio and testing custom apps on local hardware will need this mode active.

What Happens When You Turn On Developer Mode?

• You can install apps from anywhere, not just the Microsoft Store.
• Extra features like debugging and app testing become available.
• Services like SSH (a way to connect remotely to your PC) can be turned on for app deployment.

How to Turn On or Off Developer Mode

Option 1Using Windows Settings

1. Press Win+I on your keyboard to open Settings ⚙️.
2. Click System on the left menu.
3. Click Advanced on the right side. Open Advanced Developer Settings
4. Find Developer Mode and switch it On or Off.
5. If turning on, Windows will ask you to confirm. Click Yes.
6. Close Settings when done.

Managing Windows 11 Developer Mode happens quickly through the Settings ⚙️ app. Pressing Win+I opens the interface immediately. Navigating to the System section reveals the Developer Mode toggle.

Go to System > Advanced

Option 2Using the Registry Editor (Advanced)

Advanced users can enable or disable Windows 11 Developer Mode by editing the Registry Editor. Careful execution remains vital because this method relies on precise registry modifications.

System instability can occur when registry modifications happen incorrectly, requiring extra caution during execution.

To Turn On Developer Mode:

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModelUnlock" /v AllowDevelopmentWithoutDevLicense /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

To Turn Off Developer Mode:

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModelUnlock" /v AllowDevelopmentWithoutDevLicense /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Option 3Using Local Group Policy Editor (For 🪟 Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, Education)

Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education users manage Developer Mode through the Local Group Policy Editor. Controlling app installation behavior becomes possible through this utility, though Windows 11 Home lacks this capability.

This utility remains absent on Windows 11 Home editions.

1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter to open Local Group Policy Editor.
2. In the left sidebar, go to: Computer Configuration › Administrative Templates › Windows Components › App Package Deployment
3. On the right, double-click Allow development of Windows Store apps and installing them from an integrated development environment (IDE).
4. You'll see options to:

   • Leave it Not Configured (default, lets you turn Developer Mode on/off manually).
   • Select Enabled with Force Allow to always turn Developer Mode on.
   • Select Enabled with Force Deny to always turn Developer Mode off.
5. Choose the option you want, click OK, then close the editor.

Images for this:

Navigate to App Package Deployment

Enable & Force Allow Developer Mode

Option 4Using Registry Policy (Advanced)

Power users can control Windows 11 Developer Mode by directly editing the Registry to enforce policies, locking the state permanently. This approach mirrors the Group Policy Editor while bypassing the graphical interface.

Enforcing Developer Mode via direct registry changes offers a method comparable to Option 3. System behavior alters globally across all user accounts on the machine.

To remove any policy and allow manual control:

reg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Appx" /v AllowDevelopmentWithoutDevLicense /f

To always enable Developer Mode:

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Appx" /v AllowDevelopmentWithoutDevLicense /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

To always disable Developer Mode:

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Appx" /v AllowDevelopmentWithoutDevLicense /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Things to Remember

• Who needs Developer Mode? Only developers or people testing apps should turn it on.
• Extra features: Developer Mode lets you install apps from outside the store, debug apps, and use remote tools.
• How to change it: You can use Settings, Registry Editor, or Local Group Policy Editor (for some Windows editions).
• Administrator access: You must be signed in as an administrator to change Developer Mode.
• Be careful: Turning on Developer Mode can expose your PC to security risks if you install untrusted apps.

More Information

Official documentation resides on Microsoft's page covering Settings for Developers.

Summary

Windows 11 Developer Mode lets software creators install and test external applications, with toggles available via Settings, Registry, or Group Policy.