How to Install Optional Features in Windows 11

There are quite a lot of optional features on Windows 11 that you may or may not want to install and use. So in this guide will walk you through the different methods you can use to install or remove optional features using the Settings app, Control Panel, or through PowerShell and Command Prompt. Optional features provide additional functionalities beyond core system components and include tools like Notepad, Print Management, and Windows Media Player, among others. Here’s how to install, manage, or uninstall these features on Windows 11.

How to Install Optional Features in Windows 11

• Open Settings: Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
• Navigate to System > Optional features.
• Add a Feature: Click View features under "Add an optional feature."
• Select and Install: Choose a feature (e.g., XPS Viewer, Wireless Display), click Next, and then Install.

Installing Legacy Optional Features via Control Panel

If you want to add legacy features, such as Hyper-V or .NET Framework, use these steps:

• Open Settings and go to System > Optional features.
• Click More Windows features in the “Related settings” section.
• Check the boxes next to the features you want to install, like Hyper-V or Windows Sandbox.
• Click OK and then Restart now to apply changes.

Uninstalling Optional Features via Settings

To remove a feature through Settings:

• Open Settings and go to System > Optional features.
• Under “Installed features,” select the feature you want to remove.
• Click Uninstall and follow any on-screen prompts.

Removing Legacy Optional Features via Control Panel

• Open Settings and navigate to System > Optional features.
• Click More Windows features in the “Related settings” section.
• Clear the checkbox for the feature you want to remove.
• Click OK and Restart now if prompted.

Using PowerShell or Command Prompt to Manage Optional Features

You can also use PowerShell or Command Prompt to manage features, especially useful for legacy components.

Adding Optional Features with PowerShell or Command Prompt

• Open Command Line: Search for PowerShell or Command Prompt, right-click, and select Run as administrator.
• List Available Features:

To list optional features: dism /Online /Get-Capabilities

• Install the Feature:

Run: dism /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName: FeatureName, replacing FeatureName with the specific feature identifier (e.g., XPS.Viewer~~~~0.0.1.0).

Adding Legacy Features with PowerShell

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator.
2. List Legacy Features: Use: Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online.
3. Enable the Feature:

Run: Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature –FeatureName "FeatureName" -All -Online, replacing FeatureName with the specific feature name.

Uninstalling Optional Features with PowerShell or Command Prompt

• Open Command Line as Administrator.
• View Installed Features:

Use: dism /Online /Get-Capabilities to list optional features.

• Remove the Feature:

Run: dism /Online /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName: FeatureName.

Removing Legacy Optional Features with PowerShell

• Open PowerShell as Administrator.
• List Installed Legacy Features: Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online
• Disable the Feature:

Run: Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature –FeatureName "FeatureName" -Online.

While there are tons and tons of different ways to manage Optional features the easiest way is to stick with the Windows Settings options. The others are way more effort than yo need to put in. But they are a decent option if you have trouble with other methods.