How to add or remove optional features on Windows 11
Here are the steps to manage optional features on your Windows 11 installation.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
OnWindows 11, you can add or remove many “optional features” to extend your computer’s functionalities. For example, you can configure features such as Windows Subsystem for Linux, Windows Sandbox, Microsoft Defender Application Guard, Hyper-V, Windows Hello Face, Windows Developer Mode, Print Management, and many more.
Some of these features can be enabled directly from the “Windows Features” page since the components are available on every installation, and others, you can only download through the Settings app since they are not part of the default setup.
Also, a lot of these features are advanced and won’t apply to most users, as turning them on can potentially make the system vulnerable or cause performance issues if not configured correctly. However, they can make Windows 11 even more capable in the right situation.
In this Windows 11 guide, you will learn the different ways you add and remove optional features on your computer.
How to manage optional features via Settings
On Windows 11, the Settings app lets you install additional features to extend the system’s functionalities. You will need an internet connection to download these features since the components are not stored in the default installation.
Add optional features
To download and install optional features through the Settings app, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the feature will install without restarting the computer (in most cases).
Get the Windows Central Newsletter
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
Remove optional features
To remove features from the “Optional features” settings, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the feature will be removed from the installation.
How to manage optional features via Control Panel
The features available through the “Windows features” interface can also help you to extend the functionality of Windows 11. However, since these components come on every setup, you don’t need an internet connection to enable them.
Add optional features
To turn on Windows features, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the computer will restart to finish applying the feature.
On Windows 11, you can add a number of optional features, depending on your edition, since the Pro edition has more advanced components than the Home edition.
Here are the Windows features you can turn on or off on Windows 11 Pro:
Other features like RIP Listener, RAS Connection Manager Administration Kit (CMAK), and Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) are now part of optional features through the Settings app.
Remove optional features
To turn off Windows features, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the feature will no longer be available on Windows 11.
More Windows resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
