Windows 11 operating system packs in plenty of features. While some users need and use most of the features offered, many users do not need all the features and apps.
Luckily, Windows 11 offers options to add and remove optional features. For instance, if you like, you can install the Windows Fax and Scan program and classic Windows Media Player. Likewise, you can remove the Internet Explorer mode in the Edge browser and WordPad if you do not use them.
This guide shows you how to add or remove features in Windows 11. We are using the new Settings app and old Control Panel to add and remove features, as some features can be added or removed from the Settings app while others can be added/removed only via the Control Panel.
Add or remove Windows 11 features via Control Panel
The classic Control Panel can be used to add or remove several Windows 11 features. Windows Sandbox, PowerShell, Virtual Machine Platform, and Windows Subsystem for Linux are some of the popular features that can be added or removed via the Control Panel. Here is how.
Step 1: Type appwiz.cpl in the Start/taskbar search and then press Enter.
Step 2: In the left pane of the window, click the Turn Windows features on or off link. This will open the Windows Features dialog.
Step 3: Here, select or deselect the features you want to add or remove. Click OK.
Step 4: If asked for confirmation, click the Yes button. When asked for a reboot, please restart your PC once to complete adding/removing the selected feature.
Add features to Windows 11 via the Settings app
Step 1: Open the Windows 11 Settings app. Go to System > Optional features page.
Step 2: Click the View features button next to Add an optional feature.
Step 3: In the resulting dialog, scroll through the list to see the features available for installation. You can also use the search field to quickly find the feature you are looking for.
Step 4: To install a feature, select the box next to it and then click the Next button.
Step 5: Finally, click the Add button to begin installing the feature. Note that Windows 11 might take a few minutes to finish adding the feature.
Remove Windows 11 features via the Settings app
Step 1: Open the Settings app using search or right-clicking the Windows logo button on the taskbar and then clicking the Settings option.
Step 2: In the left pane of Settings, click System. On the right side, click Optional features.
Step 3: This page, in the Added features section, shows all installed optional features on your Windows 11 PC. To remove an optional feature, click on a feature’s entry and then click the Remove button. That’s it!
The feature will be removed from your Windows 11 PC immediately.
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