Detailed Guide on Optional Features of Windows 10

 

Windows 10 is continually updating their ever-evolving operating system. Users get the benefit of an updated security system and additional features that they may not know. A lot of features were considerably made for IT administrations and to give more power to users. The Windows 10 operating system comes with various optional features that can be turned on or off by the users as per their requirements. Most of these features have a goal or purpose that serves your needs on your computer. These features are available in both the new Settings and Control Panel area. You can choose either of these two to use the features. Here is how you can enable the optional features.

Settings area

1. Begin with pressing the Windows + I key to open Settings.

2. Go to apps and click on optional features.

This will show you a list of all the installed features. To check the list properly, you can sort them on the basis of name, size, and installation date. If you find any feature taking a lot of space or don’t find the need for that feature, you can delete it by following these steps:

• Click on that feature to select it from the list.

• Click on Uninstall.

If you have ever deleted any features or want to check the history of the list, click on ‘See Optional Feature History’ that records all the data for installing and uninstalling that feature.

If you choose to add an optional feature to your desktop, click on Add a Feature option. A new window will pop up on your screen, from where you can click on the checkmark on the boxes of the features that you want to install on your desktop. To know briefly about the feature, click on the feature’s name, and it will show you all the details. When satisfied, click on Install.

Control Panel

The easiest method to open optional features follows these steps:

1. Click on the Windows + R key to open the Run window.

2. Enter ‘optionalfeatures’ command.

3. Click on the ‘Ok’ button.

This will open up a new window, where you will have to checkmark the boxes for the features you want to enable on your desktop. In case you find the boxes filled as entirely black, it indicates that only a part of the feature has been enabled on your desktop. If you want to use the rest of the tools or benefits of that feature, click on the ‘plus’ icon to enable or disable some specific elements. If the box is blank, then it will indicate that the feature has been disabled. Once you are satisfied with your changes, click on Ok to save them. Restart your computer to apply all the changes.

Following are some of the features and their explanation that you will find on your PC:

• Containers: It offers tools for creating and managing Windows Server Containers.

• Device Lockdown: It protects your device against drive rights.

• Guarded Host: Configure this feature and run shield virtual machines on a server.

• Hyper-V: It offers services and management tools for running virtual machines.

• Internet Explorer 11: It is Microsoft’s latest web browser.

• Maths Recognizer: It digitizes your maths handwriting via its Math Input Panel.

• .NET Framework 3.5 and .NET Framework 4.8 Advanced Services support the applications using the versions of the NET framework.

• OpenSSH Client: It securely manages all the keys and gives you access to remote machines.

• Print Management Consoles: It manages all your printer needs, including printer driver and printer server.

• XPS Viewer: It reads, copies, prints, signs, and sets permission for all your XPS documents.

This was all you need to know about the optional features of Windows 10. You will find many more features on your desktop than the features mentioned above. Utilizing all these features will help you run your desktop efficiently.

Edward Lewis  is a Microsoft Office expert and has been working in the technical industry since 2002. As a technical expert, Edward has written technical blogs, manuals, white papers, and reviews for many websites such as office.com/setup.

Source : Windows 10