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Windows 11 and Windows 10 expose optional components through two different tools. Use Settings > Optional features for Features on Demand such as OpenSSH Client, Wireless Display, RSAT tools, language resources, and Media Feature Pack. Use the older Windows Features dialog for components such as Hyper-V, .NET Framework 3.5, IIS, Windows Sandbox, Virtual Machine Platform, and WSL.
These lists overlap in purpose but are not the same. If a component is missing from one list, check the other before assuming that Windows does not support it.
Which Windows optional-feature tool should you use?
| What you want to manage | Windows 11/10 tool | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Features on Demand (capabilities) | Settings > Optional features | OpenSSH Client, Wireless Display, RSAT, language resources, Media Feature Pack |
| Classic Windows components | Control Panel > Turn Windows features on or off | Hyper-V, .NET Framework 3.5, IIS, Windows Sandbox, WSL |
Settings-based features normally download their files through Windows Update. The classic Windows Features dialog enables or disables components in the Windows component store. Clearing a checkbox generally disables a component; it does not necessarily delete its files.
Manage optional features in Windows 11 Settings
Install a feature
On current Windows 11 installations, open:
Start > Settings > System > Optional featuresSome Windows 11 releases show the page under Settings > Apps > Optional features. If you cannot find it, press Win + R, enter the following URI, and press Enter:
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ms-settings:optionalfeatures- Under Add an optional feature, select View features.
- Search for the feature or browse the list.
- Select its checkbox and choose Next.
- Review the selection, then select Add.
- Restart Windows if the installation requests it.
The computer generally needs an internet connection because Windows Update supplies the component files. On a managed computer, organizational update policies may prevent the download even when normal Windows updates work.
Remove a feature
- Return to Settings > System > Optional features, or open
ms-settings:optionalfeatures. - Find the feature under Installed features. Use Search installed features if necessary.
- Select the entry to expand it.
- Select Remove.
Manage optional features in Windows 10 Settings
On Windows 10 version 22H2 with current updates, open:
Start > Settings > Apps > Optional featuresOlder builds may use:
Settings > Apps > Apps & features > Optional featuresInstall a feature in Windows 10
- Select Add a feature, or select the + button.
- Check the feature you want to install.
- Select Install or Add, depending on the Windows 10 build.
Remove a feature in Windows 10
- Open the Optional features page.
- Find the item in the installed-features list.
- Select it to expand the entry.
- Select Uninstall or Remove.
Turn classic Windows features on or off
The classic component dialog is available in both Windows 10 and Windows 11:
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Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or offA faster method is to press Win + R, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter. Select Turn Windows features on or off in the left pane. Windows may request administrator approval through User Account Control.
In the feature tree:
- Checked box: the feature is enabled.
- Empty box: the feature is disabled.
- Partially checked box: some child features are enabled.
- Unavailable or filled box: the component contains items whose state cannot be changed independently.
After selecting OK, Windows may install or remove components and request a restart. If the feature still does not work, restart before troubleshooting further.
Use DISM to list and change classic features
Open Windows Terminal (Admin), PowerShell (Admin), or Command Prompt as administrator. First list the feature names that Windows actually uses:
DISM /Online /Get-Features /Format:TableTo inspect one feature, use the exact name returned by that command:
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DISM /Online /Get-FeatureInfo /FeatureName:<FeatureName>Enable a feature:
DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:<FeatureName>Enable it together with required parent features:
DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:<FeatureName> /AllDisable a feature:
DISM /Online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:<FeatureName>Disable it and remove its payload files:
DISM /Online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:<FeatureName> /RemoveUse /Remove deliberately. It removes the files needed to re-enable the component. The feature manifest remains, but Windows needs a valid source later if you want to restore it.
PowerShell equivalents
Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -OnlineSearch for a feature:
Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName *Hyper-V*Enable a feature and its parent dependencies:
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName "<FeatureName>" -AllDisable a feature without allowing an automatic restart:
Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName "<FeatureName>" -NoRestartRemove the disabled feature payload:
Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName "<FeatureName>" -RemoveInstall Features on Demand with DISM
Features shown in Settings are commonly represented as capabilities, rather than classic optional features. List capabilities with:
DISM /Online /Get-CapabilitiesFind the exact capability name in that output, then install it with /Add-Capability:
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DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:<CapabilityName>For example:
DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:OpenSSH.Client~~~~0.0.1.0DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:App.WirelessDisplay.Connect~~~~0.0.0.1Use the exact name reported by your installation; capability names can vary by Windows release and component.
To install from a local or network source:
DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:<CapabilityName> /Source:<source> /LimitAccessRemove a capability with:
DISM /Online /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:<CapabilityName>For Features on Demand, use /Add-Capability, not the older /Add-Package method. /Add-Package can fail to install required satellite language or architecture packages.
Install .NET Framework 3.5
.NET Framework 3.5 is a classic Windows feature whose DISM name is NetFx3. To let Windows Update provide the files, run:
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DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:NetFx3 /AllIf Windows Update cannot supply the files, mount matching Windows installation media. If the media appears as drive D:, run:
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Install features in an offline Windows image
For a mounted Windows image, replace /Online with the image path:
DISM /Image:C:MountWindows /Get-Features /Format:TableDISM /Image:C:MountWindows /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:<FeatureName> /AllPowerShell uses -Path instead of -Online:
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Path "C:Mount" -FeatureName "<FeatureName>" -AllFor offline capabilities, use:
DISM /Image:C:MountWindows /Get-CapabilitiesFix optional-feature installation errors
Error 0x800F081F: source files could not be found
This error means Windows could not locate the files required for the feature. Check these causes:
- The computer is offline.
- Windows Update is blocked by policy, firewall, or a metered network.
- WSUS is configured but does not provide the requested content.
- The
/Sourcepath is incorrect. - The source does not match the installed Windows release, architecture, edition, or language.
- Group Policy prevents Windows from contacting Windows Update.
DISM searches supplied /Source locations first, then applicable Group Policy sources, and finally Windows Update when servicing an online image without /LimitAccess.
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Check the optional-component policy
On a managed computer, review:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Specify settings for optional component installation and component repairThis policy can specify a network repair source, prevent downloads from Windows Update, or control whether Windows Update can be used instead of WSUS for repair content.
Older Windows 10 deployments have an important WSUS limitation: beginning with Windows 10 version 1709, WSUS cannot host Features on Demand locally. Windows 10 version 1803 also removed local WSUS hosting for language packs. These devices need Microsoft-hosted Windows Update, matching Features on Demand media, or another approved source.
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The feature is missing from the list
Look in the other management interface first. Other explanations include:
- The feature is unavailable for the Windows edition, architecture, language, or release.
- The component has been removed from that version of Windows.
- An organization has hidden the feature interface.
- Windows cannot retrieve the catalog because of update-source or network policy.
The classic Windows Features task can be hidden by this policy:
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Some changes remain pending until Windows restarts. Restart the computer, then inspect the state with:
DISM /Online /Get-FeatureInfo /FeatureName:<FeatureName>For a capability, run:
DISM /Online /Get-CapabilitiesWindows features that cannot be restored as normal optional features
Older guides may recommend components that are no longer available on current releases:
- WordPad: removed from Windows 11 version 24H2 and Windows Server 2025; it cannot be re-enabled as a normal optional feature.
- Windows Mixed Reality: removed beginning with Windows 11 version 24H2.
- Quick Assist: became a Microsoft Store-updated preinstalled app rather than an installable FOD on newer supported builds.
- Windows Feature Experience Pack: no longer available on Windows 11; it applied to Windows 10 version 2004 through version 22H2.
- WMIC: not preinstalled beginning with Windows 11 version 24H2. Where supported, its capability name is
WMIC~~~~.
Windows Fax and Scan is also not preinstalled after Windows 11 version 22H2; where supported, its capability name is Print.Fax.Scan~~~~0.0.1.0.
FAQ
Are Optional features and Turn Windows features on or off the same thing?
No. Settings manages Features on Demand, which Windows represents as capabilities. The Control Panel dialog manages the classic Windows optional-feature tree. A component may appear in only one of the two interfaces.
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Usually no. Clearing a checkbox normally disables the feature while leaving its payload in the Windows component store. Use DISM with /Remove, or PowerShell with -Remove, to remove the payload files.
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Why does Windows show error 0x800F081F?
Windows cannot find the source files needed by the feature. Check Windows Update access, WSUS and Group Policy settings, the /Source path, and whether the source matches the installed Windows version, architecture, edition, and language.
Can I install every Settings optional feature with DISM /Enable-Feature?
No. /Enable-Feature is for classic optional features. Features listed in Settings are generally capabilities and should be installed with DISM /Add-Capability.
How do I open Optional features directly?
Press Win + R, enter ms-settings:optionalfeatures, and press Enter.
How do I open the classic Windows Features dialog directly?
Press Win + R, enter appwiz.cpl, press Enter, and select Turn Windows features on or off.
What source should I use for .NET Framework 3.5?
Use the sourcessxs folder from installation media that matches the Windows version and architecture being serviced. Do not assume that any Windows ISO is a valid source.
The Bottom Line
Use Settings > Optional features for Features on Demand and Turn Windows features on or off for classic Windows components. For automation, use /Add-Capability for Settings-style features and /Enable-Feature for the classic feature tree. When installation fails, investigate the file source and Windows Update or WSUS policy before repeatedly retrying the same command.
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