Windows 10’s environment is power packed with an extensive array of useful features. No matter how much we explore Windows, there’s always something that we miss out on. So, did you know Windows 10 includes a bunch of “Optional Features” that are specifically intended for business networks and servers? Well, Windows 10’s Optional features can be accessed separately in a “Windows Features” dialog box where you can check or uncheck any feature which you wish to use. And surprisingly, all these features take up a considerable amount of disk space on your system which we’re not aware of.
So, if you’re wondering where these features are lying here’s a quick guide on how to use Windows 10 Optional features and how to enable/disable them.
Let’s get started.
How to Access Windows 10’s Optional Features
Windows 10’s Optional features don’t justify how the name implies, in fact, they’re actually pretty useful. Windows 10’s sophisticated OS has offered a fair and simple way of how we can access these features and see what all functions these features offer.
To manage Windows 10’s “Optional Features” you might have to dig deep inside Control Panel as unfortunately, you can’t access them via the Windows Settings app.
You can use the Start menu to quickly launch the Control Panel.
Now, select “Programs” option from the left menu bar.
Under “Programs and Features” option, tap on “Turn Windows features on or off”.
Another alternative way of opening the “Windows Features” dialog box is via the Start menu. Quickly type “Optional Features” in Cortana search box and hit enter.
Once the Windows Features box appears on the screen, you’ll see a list of features here. You’ll see that some features are already enabled, and few are still unchecked.
Scroll through the list and enable any “Optional Feature” from the list by tapping the checkbox button next to its name.
Windows might ask for your permission to reboot the system for the changes to reflect. Tap on OK to save changes.
NOTE: It’s not necessary that you have to enable all these features at once. You can see which features are of use and enable them according to the functionality they offer.
Windows 10’s Optional Features
Here’s a quick rundown of Windows 10 Optional features and the functionalities they offer. This will help you decide which features you should enable or disable on your system.
Hyper-V Virtualization Tool: This Optional Windows feature allows you to create, manage virtual machines.
Isolated User Mode: This is one latest addition by Windows which allows users to run applications in a much isolated and secure mode where they cannot harm the host machine in any way.
.NET Framework 3.5: You can use this tool for running .NET applications on Windows.
Embedded Shell Launcher: This tool is used when you would like to replace Windows 10’s explorer.exe shell with a custom shell.
Media Features: As Windows Media Player has become quite obsolete. You can disable this option from the “Optional Features” list to entirely abandon it from your Windows.
Legacy Components: As soon as you’ll install any game that requires DirectPlay compatibility, then you can use this feature on Windows.
Microsoft Print to PDF: If you want to enable or disable Windows 10’s PDF printer then you can use this option.
Multipoint Connector: This “Optional Feature” on Windows 10 is useful for corporate networks when they have to run MultiPoint dashboard applications.
Windows PowerShell 2.0: It offers a more advanced and high-end scripting environment to users.
Here were just a few of Windows 10’s Optional features that you can put to the right use. You will also find more options on this list which you can enable or disable according to your preference.
We hope now you’re through with how to use Windows 10 Optional features and what they offer. Get to work and wisely manage these Windows 10’s features (when necessary)