How to Manage Optional Features in Windows 10
This tutorial will show you how to add or remove optional features for all users in Windows 10.
Starting with Windows 10 build 18963, Microsoft made a number of usability improvements to the Optional Features page in Settings (Settings > Apps & Features > Optional Features).
- Multi-select: You can now select and install multiple optional features at the same time.
- Better list management: You can now search through lists of optional features and sort them by Name, Size, and Install date.
- More useful information: You can now see the install date for each optional feature in your ÂInstalled features list. Microsoft also added feature dependencies to the description of each optional feature in the list of features available for install.
- Easier page navigation: View the status of your latest installs/uninstalls/cancels right on the main page in the ÂLatest actions section. You can now add optional features and view your history via pop-up dialogues, so you never have to navigate away from the main page
Starting with Windows 10 build 19037.1, Windows PowerShell ISE is now a Feature on Demand (installed by default), and you will see it in the list in Optional Features Settings.
Contents
- Option One: Manage Optional Features in Settings
- Option Two: Manage Optional Features in Command Prompt
- Option Three: Manage Optional Features in PowerShell
OPTION ONE
Manage Optional Features in Settings
1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the Apps icon.
2 Click/tap on Apps & features on the left side, and click/tap on the Optional features link on the right side. (see screenshot below)
3 Do step 4 (history), step 5 (add), step 6 (remove) below for what you would like to do.
4. To See Optional Feature History
A) Click/tap on the See optional feature history link. (see screenshot below)
B) You will now see the last 7 days of added and removed optional feature history. Go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)
5. To Add an Optional Feature
A) Click/tap on Add a feature. (see screenshot below)
B) Click/tap on an optional feature you want to add, click/tap on Install, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)
6. To Remove an Optional Feature
A) Click/tap on an added optional feature you want to remove, click/tap on Uninstall, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)
OPTION TWO
Manage Optional Features in Command Prompt
For more command usage details for this option, see: DISM Capabilities Package Servicing Command-Line Options | Microsoft Docs
1 Open an elevated command prompt.
2 Copy and paste the command below you want to use into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter. This will give you a list of all optional features with their Capability Identity (name) and their current State as either Installed (added) or Not Present (removed). (see screenshots below)
Make note of the name (ex: "XPS.Viewer~~~~0.0.1.0") of the optional feature (ex: "XPS Viewer") you want to add or remove.
(Show both "Installed" and "Not Present" features)DISM /Online /Get-Capabilities /Format:Table
OR
(Show only "Installed" features)DISM /Online /Get-Capabilities /Format:Table | Find "Installed"
OR
(Show only "Not Present" features)DISM /Online /Get-Capabilities /Format:Table | Find "Not Present"
3 Do step 4 (add) or step 5 (remove) below for what you would like to do.
4. To Add Optional Feature
A) Copy and paste the command below into the elevated command prompt, press Enter, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below)
DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:name
Substitute name in the command above with the actual name (ex: "XPS.Viewer~~~~0.0.1.0") of the optional feature from step 2 you want to add.
For example: DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:XPS.Viewer~~~~0.0.1.0
5. To Remove Optional Feature
A) Copy and paste the command below into the elevated command prompt, press Enter, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below)
DISM /Online /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:name
Substitute name in the command above with the actual name (ex: "XPS.Viewer~~~~0.0.1.0") of the optional feature from step 2 you want to remove.
For example: DISM /Online /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:XPS.Viewer~~~~0.0.1.0
6 You can now close the elevated command prompt if you like.
OPTION THREE
Manage Optional Features in PowerShell
For more command usage details for this option, see:
Get-WindowsOptionalFeature | Microsoft Docs
1 Open an elevated PowerShell.
2 Copy and paste the command below you want to use into the elevated PowerShell, and press Enter. This will give you a list of all optional features with their FeatureName and their current State as either Enabled (added) or Disabled (removed). (see screenshots below)
Make note of the name (ex: "Internet-Explorer-Optional-amd64") of the optional feature (ex: "Internet Explorer") you want to add or remove.
(Show both "Enabled" and "Disabled" features)Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online | FT
OR
(Show only "Enabled" features)Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online | Where State -Like Enabled* | FT
OR
(Show only "Disabled" features)Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online | Where State -Like Disabled* | FT
3 Do step 4 (add) or step 5 (remove) below for what you would like to do.
4. To Add Optional Feature
A) Copy and paste the command below into the elevated PowerShell, press Enter, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below)
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature ÂFeatureName "name" -All -Online
Substitute name in the command above with the actual name (ex: "Internet-Explorer-Optional-amd64") of the optional feature from step 2 you want to add.
For example: Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature ÂFeatureName "Internet-Explorer-Optional-amd64" -All -Online
5. To Remove Optional Feature
A) Copy and paste the command below into the elevated PowerShell, press Enter, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below)
Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature ÂFeatureName "name" -Online
Substitute name in the command above with the actual name (ex: "XPS.Viewer~~~~0.0.1.0") of the optional feature from step 2 you want to remove.
For example: Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature ÂFeatureName "Internet-Explorer-Optional-amd64" -Online
6 If prompted to restart the computer to apply, type Y, and press Enter.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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