Windows 10 Registry Tweaks for Hidden Features

With any new Windows operating system, there's always a bevy of features and customizations that aren't notably accessible. Windows 10 is no different, and probably even more so. In the latest Windows 10 release, Build 9926, a few hidden gems have been uncovered that can be accessed after making some registry modifications.

If you're part of the Technical Preview program for Windows 10, you should already be familiar with the Windows registry. If you're not someone who has experience modifying registry values, take caution when applying the values presented here. Messing with the Windows registry can have extremely negative effects, sometimes trashing the entire operating system. But, of course, Windows 10 is not a final product yet, so you should expect some pains along the way including having to reinstall at some point.

Here's the list of what's been identified so far. If you uncover new secrets, let us know and we'll add them to the list.

Restore Pre-Build 9926 Start Menu Functionality

Key path: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoft WindowsCurrentVersionExplorerAdvanced

New Value Name: EnableXamlStartMenu

Type: DWORD (32-bit)

Default Data Value: 0

New System Tray Clock and Calendar

Key path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoft WindowsCurrentVersionImmersiveShell

New Value Name: UseWin32TrayClockExperience

Type: DWORD (32-bit)

Default Data Value: 0

New Logon Screen

Key path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion AuthenticationLogonUITestHooks

Existing Value Name: Threshold

Change Data Value: 1