"Enable features introduced via servicing that are off by default" in Windows 11


We are excited to be moving towards a world of continuous innovation, with consistent and regular shipping of features via the monthly latest cumulative update (LCU). This is a technology we have been building upon for years and are now taking further than ever before!

In the second half of 2019, we released Windows 10, version 1909, the first feature update shipped via an enablement package (EKB). This technology allowed us to ship a collection of new features via a monthly quality update (LCU) in an "off" state. These features were then turned on when an organization deployed the EKB package. The best part: because these features were delivered via LCU, the reboot time for these feature updates was super quick—often in less than 5 minutes!

Organizations provided a ton of positive feedback around these EKB packages, and we went on to leverage that technology for Windows 10 versions 20H2, 21H1, 21H2, and 22H2. Now, we want to take that technology one step further and deliver more features than ever via LCUs.

We are very excited to deliver continuous innovation – bringing you new value on a more frequent basis. We also understand the need for organizations to have a stable environment and control. Therefore, I'm excited to share a new client policy to control select features introduced via servicing until they are released as part of the next annual feature update. Features that may be disruptive to organizations will be off by default for all Windows update managed devices until the device enables the policy or takes the next annual feature update.

Improvements that are not behind temporary control will be rolled out through a controlled feature rollout to unmanaged devices before being included in an LCU for organizations. All features shipped in the LCU will be included in a complementary knowledge base (KB) article, which will delineate those features still in the process of being rolled out and those that are switched off by default for organizations.

Features behind the control​

Not all features shipped via servicing will be behind this new control. In fact, many improvements, such as reductions in file size, performance fixes, and, as usual, any bug fixes, will be introduced in the LCU in an "on" state after being rolled out to unmanaged devices through a controlled feature rollout.

For organizations, we aspire to provide control for features that:
  • Add new experiences or user interfaces to Windows, especially for any primary control surfaces (such as the taskbar and start menu)
  • Are new in-box applications
  • Remove existing capabilities
  • Override previously configured settings (set by either IT or the end user)
We are still learning and listening to ensure that we have features behind the proper controls. Interested in helping us decide which features need what level of control? Join the Microsoft Managed Customer Connection Program (MM CCP)!

How you can configure the policy​

By default, all features introduced via servicing that are behind the commercial control will be off for Windows-Update-managed devices. Windows-Update-managed devices are those that determine which Windows updates are offered by leveraging Windows Update for Business or Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).

Organizations wishing to turn on these features ahead of taking the next annual feature update can do so by enabling the new policy: "Enable features introduced via servicing that are off by default."
  • Group Policy: /Windows Components/Windows Update/Manage end user experience/Enable features introduced via servicing that are off by default
  • Configuration Service Provider (CSP) Policy: /Policy/Config/Update/AllowTemporaryEnterpriseFeatureControl
thumbnail image 1 captioned Screenshot of the policy for Enable features introduced via servicing that are off by default

Screenshot of the policy for "Enable features introduced via servicing that are off by default"

When this policy is enabled, all the features that were on a device in an "off" state behind this control will be turned on when the device next reboots. Additionally, all new features controlled by this setting will be on when delivered as part of future LCUs.

If you choose not to enable this new control, the features behind it will be automatically turned on when a device updates to the next annual feature update.

This policy is available today, February 9, 2023, for all devices in the Windows Insider Program Dev Channel who have installed Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25295. This policy will be coming to Windows 11, version 22H2 in the February 2023 optional, cumulative, non-security preview release.

Source:
 
For organizations, we aspire to provide control for features that:
  • Add new experiences or user interfaces to Windows, especially for any primary control surfaces (such as the taskbar and start menu)
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My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus TUF Gaming F16 (2024)
    CPU
    i7 13650HX
    Memory
    16GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Cooling
    2× Arc Flow Fans, 4× exhaust vents, 5× heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    20Mbit/s up, 250Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
  • Operating System
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Medion S15450
    CPU
    i5 1135G7
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    2TB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Internet Speed
    20Mbit/s up, 250Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
This is a good thing for Pro users. But @Brink, won't this increase the numbers of your tutorial making?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.2314
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme+256gb SKHynix m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+1tb Kingston m2.nvme+ 4gb Solidigm nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Beginning with Windows 11, version 22H2, new features and enhancements are delivered more frequently using servicing technology. We recognize the need for organizations to have control, stability, and productivity. As a result, select features delivered via servicing will be “off” by default for those using Windows Update for Business or Windows Server Update Services to manage when and how Windows updates are offered to managed devices. These features will then be included in the next annual feature update. Organizations wishing to turn on these features ahead of the next annual feature update can do so by enabling a new client policy.

For some features, we may introduce a policy specific to configuring that feature for managed devices. For example, in the March 2023 monthly quality update, we are adding the ability for users to search directly from the taskbar to help you more easily find apps, files, settings, and help content. A new policy is available for organizations that wish to configure the Windows 11 search experience on the taskbar for their users. To learn more, see Customizing search on the Windows 11 taskbar.


 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
So sorry if I may be not understanding this...
But isn't search already removable? Mine, I can "Hide", "Shown icon only", "Show icon and label" or "Show the whole thing"!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus/Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel® Xeon® X5690 3.47GHz Six-Core
    Motherboard
    Asus P6T Deluxe v2
    Memory
    G.Skill PC3-12800 1600MHz 24GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
    Sound Card
    SoundMAX ADI AD2000B HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer T232HL Touch Screen
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    6 Crucial MX500 SSD 1TB each.
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower Gold 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Armor VA8000SWA
    Cooling
    Thermaltake Air Cooling System
    Keyboard
    Illuminated Multimedia LED Keyboard
    Mouse
    M16 Dual Mode Illuminated Mouse - Bluetooth / 2.4 GHz Mode
    Internet Speed
    800 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge / Opera / Vivaldi / Chrome / Firefox / Brave
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender Security

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