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To turn on Developer Mode in Windows 11, open Settings > System > For developers on versions before 25H2. In version 25H2 and later, the same options sit under Settings > System > Advanced > For developers. Turning on Developer Mode is only needed for building, deploying, or debugging Windows apps. Optional remote-testing settings, Device Portal and Device Discovery, are separate switches and are off unless you enable them.
Find the For developers page for your Windows version
Microsoft moved the former For developers settings in Windows 11 version 25H2. The location you need depends on which build is installed. To check your version, open Settings > System > About, where the Windows specifications section lists the version number.
| Windows 11 version | Where For developers appears |
|---|---|
| Before 25H2 | Settings > System > For developers |
| 25H2 and later | Settings > System > Advanced > For developers |
If you cannot find the page, select the search box in Settings and type developer mode. The result links directly to the page on either version. Layouts can shift between builds, so the search route is the safest fallback.
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Turn on Developer Mode step by step
- Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
- Select System.
- On version 25H2 and later, select Advanced first. On earlier versions, stay on the System page.
- Locate the For developers section and turn on Developer Mode.
- Read the confirmation notice and select Yes to continue.
Microsoft’s Advanced Windows Settings documentation states that Developer Mode requires local administrator privileges, so a standard user account may not be able to change it. If the toggle is missing, greyed out, or cannot be changed, check two things. First, confirm you are signed in with an administrator account. Second, check whether an organization’s policy manages the device, because Microsoft notes that managed-device policy can block manual enablement. Sources: Microsoft Learn: Advanced Windows Settings and Microsoft Learn: Settings for developers.
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What Developer Mode changes
Developer Mode unlocks tools and features for building, deploying, and testing Windows apps. It replaces the former developer-license requirement and enables sideloading, debugging, and additional deployment options. Microsoft’s guidance is direct about who needs it: “If you’re using your computer for ordinary day-to-day activities (such as gaming, web browsing, email, or Office apps), there is no need to activate Developer Mode.” (Microsoft Learn: Settings for developers)
Sideloading and its security trade-off
Sideloading means installing apps from outside the Microsoft Store. Microsoft warns that this can increase security risks to the device and its data. Sideloaded app packages must be signed with a certificate the device trusts. Turning on Developer Mode does not make an unsigned or unknown app safe, and it does not install a full developer environment on its own. Organizational policy can also prevent users from enabling the setting. (Microsoft Learn: Sideload line of business apps)
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Optional remote-testing settings
Developer Mode does not switch on the two remote tools below. Each is a separate choice, and each is only useful when a second device needs to reach this one.
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Device Portal provides remote configuration and diagnostic access to the device. It is disabled by default and must be turned on separately after Developer Mode is enabled. Microsoft’s current overview points to Settings > System > Advanced for enabling it. (Microsoft Learn: Windows Device Portal overview)
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Device Discovery
Device Discovery makes the device discoverable over the network for deployment workflows and enables an SSH server. Microsoft says to turn it on only when the device is meant to be a remote deployment target. Leave it off on a personal computer that is not being used as a test target. (Microsoft Learn: Settings for developers)
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There are two practical paths. Pick the one that matches what you are doing and how much network access you need.
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| Setup | Settings to change | When it fits | Network exposure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local app development and testing | Developer Mode only | Building and debugging apps on the same machine | Not stated by Microsoft for this path |
| Remote deployment or diagnostics to a separate test device | Developer Mode, plus Device Portal and/or Device Discovery | A second device must reach this one for deployment or remote diagnostics | Higher, because the device is reachable over the network; Microsoft says to enable Device Discovery only for remote deployment targets |
If the computer is managed by an organization, check with its IT team before enabling either remote option, since policy may block them.
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