How to Enable or Disable Developer Mode in Windows 11

What is Developer Mode?

Developer Mode is a Windows 11 setting that lets you install apps from outside the Microsoft Store and use advanced debugging tools. Software creators and people testing their own apps rely on it to run local code. Everyday computer tasks do not need it.

If you are not writing or testing software, leave this setting off.

If you use tools like Visual Studio and test custom apps on your own hardware, you will need Developer Mode active.

What Happens When You Turn On Developer Mode?

Turning Developer Mode on changes the following:

• 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.

Only sideload software you trust.

How to Turn On or Off Developer Mode

Option 1Using Windows Settings

This is the fastest and safest method. It works on every edition, Home included, and needs no advanced tools.

1. Press Win + I on your keyboard to open Settings.
2. Click System on the left menu. The System pages appear on the right.
3. Click Advanced on the right side. Open Advanced Developer Settings On older builds this page is called For developers, or you will find it under Privacy & security.
4. Find Developer Mode and switch it On or Off.
5. If you are turning it on, Windows shows a confirmation prompt. Click Yes. The switch now reads On. Windows may take a moment to install developer features in the background.
6. Close Settings when done. You normally do not need to restart.

If the switch is greyed out, or Windows says some settings are managed by your organization, a policy is controlling it. Check Option 3 or Option 4 below. A work or school PC may also be locked down by an administrator.

Path: System › Advanced

Option 2Using the Registry Editor (Advanced)

Registry Editor lets you turn Developer Mode on or off by changing system keys directly. Use it only if you prefer not to use the Settings app. It needs careful typing, because a wrong entry can cause system errors.

Before you start, sign in with an administrator account. Back up the registry first: in Registry Editor, click File › Export and save a copy. If something goes wrong, you can import it again.

To Turn On Developer Mode:

Use the code below, then check System › Advanced in Settings to confirm the switch shows On.

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

To Turn Off Developer Mode:

Use the code below, then check Settings again to confirm the switch shows Off. If it still shows the old state, sign out and back in, or restart the PC.

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)

Local Group Policy Editor lets Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education users control Developer Mode restrictions across the whole system. It manages app installation behavior from one central place. Windows 11 Home does not include this tool, so Home users should use Option 1 or Option 4.

1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter to open Local Group Policy Editor. If you see an error that the file cannot be found, you are on Home.
2. In the left sidebar, go to: Computer Configuration › Administrative Templates › Windows Components › App Package Deployment. The policies in that folder are listed on the right.
3. On the right, double-click Allow development of Windows Store apps and installing them from an integrated development environment (IDE). A settings window opens.
4. You will see these options:

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

To undo this, open the same policy and set it back to Not Configured. If you used Force Allow or Force Deny, the switch in Settings may be greyed out until you do. If the change does not show up straight away, restart the PC or sign out and back in.

Images for this:

Navigate to App Package Deployment

Set the policy to Enabled and choose Force Allow to keep Developer Mode on

Option 4Using Registry Policy (Advanced)

Registry policies let power users lock Developer Mode on or off for every user account on the machine. They work by writing registry keys directly instead of using the Settings toggle, and they skip the graphical interface completely. That makes them useful for automated setups. They also work on Windows 11 Home, which has no Group Policy Editor.

This is the registry version of Option 3, and it has the same global effect. As in Option 2, sign in as an administrator and export a registry backup first.

To remove any policy and allow manual control:

Use this to undo a forced setting. Afterwards you can use the switch in Settings again.

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

After applying any of these, restart the PC or sign out and back in so the policy takes effect. Then check System › Advanced in Settings to confirm the result.

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.