Developer Mode in Windows is a feature designed to facilitate the development and testing of applications directly on a Windows device. It provides developers with additional tools and settings that are not available to regular users. This article will guide you through the process of enabling Developer Mode on Windows 10 and Windows 11 and provide examples of how to use it effectively.

Enabling Developer Mode in Windows 10 and Windows 11

1. Open Settings:

   • Press Win + I to open the Settings app.

2. Navigate to Update & Security:

   • In Windows 10, click on "Update & Security".
   • In Windows 11, click on "Privacy & Security".

3. Select For Developers:

   • In Windows 10, select "For developers" from the left sidebar.
   • In Windows 11, navigate to "For developers" under the "Privacy & Security" section.

4. Enable Developer Mode:

   • Toggle the switch to enable Developer Mode. You might be prompted with a warning about the risks of enabling Developer Mode. Confirm to proceed.

Examples of Using Developer Mode

Example 1: Installing and Testing Apps

Once Developer Mode is enabled, you can sideload apps that are not from the Microsoft Store. This is particularly useful for testing applications during development.

• Install an App Package:
  • Open PowerShell as Administrator.
  • Use the following command to install an app package:

    Add-AppxPackage -Path "C:\Path\To\Your\App.appx"

Example 2: Using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

Developer Mode allows you to install and use the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), which is a compatibility layer for running Linux binary executables natively on Windows.

• Enable WSL:

  • Open PowerShell as Administrator.
  • Run the following command to enable WSL:

    wsl --install

• Launch a Linux Distribution:

  • After installation, you can launch a Linux distribution by simply typing its name in the command prompt or PowerShell, for example:

    ubuntu

Example 3: Using Device Portal

Developer Mode enables Device Portal, a web-based interface for managing and monitoring your device.

• Enable Device Portal:

  • Go to the "For developers" settings page.
  • Under "Device Portal", toggle the switch to enable it.

• Access Device Portal:

  • Open a web browser and enter the URL provided in the settings (usually something like http://<your-device-ip>:50080).

Conclusion

Developer Mode in Windows is a powerful feature for developers, providing access to tools and settings that enhance the development and testing experience. By enabling Developer Mode, you can sideload apps, use the Windows Subsystem for Linux, and access the Device Portal, among other capabilities.