How to Install and Manage Optional Features and Components in Windows 11

Windows 11 arrives pre-configured with core everyday productivity utilities, but Microsoft intentionally packages dozens of specialised tools—including the OpenSSH server client, legacy Windows Media Player, secondary language fonts, Wireless Display projection, and DirectX graphics diagnostics—as modular Optional Features. By keeping these system components modular, Windows keeps base installation footprints compact and secure. Knowing how to browse, install, and uninstall optional features allows you to unlock powerful system capabilities while decluttering unused software.

Popular Optional Features Available in Windows 11

Windows 11 hosts an extensive catalogue of modular system enhancements:

• Wireless Display: Enables your PC to act as a Miracast receiver, allowing Android phones, tablets, and other laptops to wirelessly cast displays onto your monitor.
• OpenSSH Client / Server: Provides secure command-line shell access and terminal management over encrypted network protocols.
• Windows Media Player Legacy: The classic media player interface for users requiring compatibility with legacy playlists and CD audio ripping.
• Graphics Tools: Unlocks DirectX SDK debugging tools and frame-by-frame rendering analysis for developers and 3D modellers.
• Supplemental Fonts: Adds complete typography font packages for international writing systems like Japanese, Korean, and Arabic.

How to Install Optional Features in Settings

Adding modular components takes only a few clicks through the modern Windows 11 interface:

1. Press Windows + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app.
2. From the left-hand navigation pane, click on System.
3. Click on Optional features on the right pane (on earlier Windows 11 builds, this is located under Apps > Optional features).
4. At the top of the page, click the blue View features button next to Add an optional feature.
5. A searchable modal catalogue will open displaying all available components.
6. Type the name of the feature you need (such as Wireless Display or OpenSSH) into the search bar.
7. Check the box next to the component and click Next, followed by Install.
8. Windows will download and configure the feature in the background without requiring a system reboot for most packages.

How to Remove Unused Features to Free Disk Space

If there are pre-installed legacy components you never use, uninstalling them simplifies your operating system:

1. In Settings > System > Optional features, scroll down to the Installed features section.
2. Click on any feature you wish to remove (such as Internet Explorer mode, WordPad, or Math Recognizer).
3. Click the Uninstall button.
4. Windows will cleanly remove the binaries and reclaim storage immediately.

Managing More Windows Features (Hyper-V and Sandbox)

Deep hypervisor and virtualization components are accessible from the classic features dialogue:

1. Scroll to the bottom of the Optional features page and click More Windows features under Related settings.
2. Check or uncheck boxes for virtualization platforms like Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, or Windows Subsystem for Linux.
3. Click OK and restart your PC to compile changes into the system kernel.