Similar to its predecessors, Windows xi comes with several "optional" features that you tin install or uninstall. Some of these features are disabled past default, as they are intended for advanced and business organisation users. However, if you want to enable or disable a specific optional feature, you lot tin practice and then via the new Settings app.

There are multiple ways to add or remove all or specific optional features in Windows 11. And this guide shows yous how.

How to Add or Remove Optional Features in Windows 11

You can add and remove Features on Demand (Optional Features) in Windows 11 and earlier editions of the Windows Os as oft you need. Information technology comprises language resources, .NET Framework, graphics tool, Microsoft WebDriver, and more. We had covered the use and working of optional features in Windows 10 as well. That said, depending on the edition of Windows 11 you are running, the availability of these features for your calculator may vary.

Whether you desire to add boosted features or brand the apps listing less cluttered past removing additional components, there are a few means to install and uninstall optional features in Windows 11.

ane. Turn On Optional Features in Windows eleven via the Settings

Windows 11's settings app is your gateway to admission nearly arrangement properties, including optional features. Here'southward how to practise it.

add optional features via settings view features
  1. Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Next, open up the Apps tab from the left pane.
  3. Nether the Apps section, click on Optional features.
  4. Next, click on View features. Windows will populate the screen with the available features.
    add optional features via settings
  5. You lot can coil through the features or search for a specific addition.
  6. To install, select the add-on and click Next.
  7. Click the Install push. You tin view the progress nether the Recent actions department. Once installed, it volition appear under the Installed features section.

Turn Off Windows xi Optional Features via the Settings

If y'all want to turn off the optional features once more, here's how to do that:

remove optional features settings
  1. Get to Settings > Apps > Optional Features.
  2. Scroll down and click on the feature you desire to uninstall.
  3. Click the Uninstall button.
  4. Restart your PC if required to apply the changes.

2. Enable Optional Features Using the Windows Features Dialog

add option features windows terminal windows 11 Windows Features dialog

Microsoft has migrated a lot of Control Panel features to the Windows 11 settings app, but the large-calibration migration is however to happen. As a result, some critical features, including a few optional features such as Hyper-V, are still but available in the classic Windows Features dialog.

To install optional features using the classic Windows Features dialog:

  1. Press Win + I to open up Settings.
  2. Open the Apps tab from the left pane.
  3. Ringlet down and click on Optional Features.
  4. Scroll down to the Related settings section.
  5. Click on More Windows features. This will open the classic Windows Features dialog.
  6. Hither, scroll through the available components. Expand the section and select the feature you want to install.
  7. Click OK to proceed. Windows will look for the required files and install the feature.

You lot can besides access Windows features using the classic Control Panel. Here'south how to do it.

turn on windows features on or 0ff
  1. Printing Win + R to open Run.
  2. Blazon control and click OK.
  3. In the Control Panel, go to Programs > Programs and Features.
  4. From the left pane, click on Turn Windows features on or off.
  5. Hither, you can enable any component from the listing.

If you don't run across some components appear in the apps list despite a successful installation, effort restarting your PC. Some features may require a system restart to start working.

Disable Windows Optional Features Using the Windows Features Dialog

To disable Windows optional features once again:

  1. Press Win + R to open Run.
  2. Type optionalfeatures and click OK.
  3. In the Windows Features dialog, unselect the component you want to remove and click OK.
  4. Expect for the process to complete and then restart your PC.

3. Install Optional Features Using DISM

add option features windows terminal windows 11

DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) is a command-line utility primarily used to service Windows images. Nevertheless, you tin besides utilize it to install and configure boosted Windows features.

To install Windows 11 optional features using DISM:

  1. Press Win + Ten to bring up the WinX menu.
  2. Select Windows Final (Admin) from the left context bill of fare.
  3. In the Windows Terminal window, blazon the following control and hitting enter: 
                  dism /Online /Become-Capabilities
  4. The to a higher place command will brandish all bachelor optional features. If the State shows as Not Nowadays, it ways the feature is not installed.
  5. Whorl through available features to locate the component you want to install.
  6. Adjacent, copy the Capability Identity (name) for the component. For example, if you want to install the Microsoft WebDriver component, then the Capability Identity will look similar this: Microsoft.WebDriver~~~~0.0.one.0
  7. To install the feature, enter the following command: 
                  dism /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName: Microsoft.WebDriver~~~~0.0.1.0
  8. One time installed, close the Windows Terminal and restart your PC to apply the changes.

Uninstall Optional Features using DISM

To get rid of optional features once again:

  1. Open Windows Terminal as administrator.
  2. Type the following command and hit enter: 
                  dism /Online /Remove-Adequacy /CapabilityName:NAME
  3. Make sure to replace NAME in the higher up command with the characteristic name yous want to uninstall.

4. Add Windows 11 Optional Features Using PowerShell

add optional featuers powershell windows 11

You can use the Get-WindowsOptionalFeature command to install optional features using PowerShell. Hither'south how to exercise it.

  1. Type powershell in Windows search.
  2. Correct-click on Windows PowerShell from the search result and select Run as Administrator.
  3. In the PowerShell window that opens, type the following command to view bachelor features for your computer: 
                  Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online
  4. Features that are not installed volition show the State as Disabled.
  5. Scroll through the list and copy the proper name of the feature/component you want to install.
  6. Side by side, type the following command: 
                  Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature                –FeatureName                "NAME"                -All -Online
  7. In the in a higher place command, supercede Proper noun with the proper noun of the component you desire to install. For example, if you want to enable the DirectPlay feature, the control volition await like this: 
                  Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature                –FeatureName                "DirectPlay"                -All -Online
  8. Hit enter to execute the command and install the feature.

Remove Windows 11 Optional Features Using PowerShell

To remove Windows xi'due south optional features again:

  1. Open up PowerShell equally administrator.
  2. Blazon the post-obit command and hitting enter to execute: 
                  Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature                –FeatureName                "NAME"                -Online
  3. In the above command, replace NAME with the component proper name you want to remove.

Many Ways to Add or Remove Optional Features in Windows eleven

Whether you lot want to enable Hyper-V for virtualization or .Net Framework to install third-party apps, Microsoft Windows 11 makes information technology easy to enable or disable features on demand. If the settings app is not working, opt for the classic Windows features dialog or use Windows Terminal to install optional features in Windows 11. While y'all tin enable all the features, doing so can crusade operation and security issues. If yous don't know what features do what, go out them in their default country.

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About The Author

Tashreef Shareef (141 Articles Published)

Tashreef is a developer and works equally a technical writer at MakeUseOf. With a bachelor's degree in Computer Applications, he has over five years of experience and covers Microsoft Windows and everything effectually information technology. When not looking for a missing semicolon or churning out text, you can find him trying FPS titles or looking for new blithe shows and movies.

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