The optional features of Windows 10 are a series of processes and services that the computer performs in the background to enable the operation of different programs. As with Windows 7, Windows 8 and even earlier versions of the operating system, it is something that can be adjusted as resources so that resources are allocated to tasks that are really useful.
Through these features, the team can make, for example, export text documents to pdf files by pressing the print option , the Internet Explorer browser works or others Additional services are activated or not. These functions are responsible for making our computer more complete , but also for free space on both hard disk and RAM to be consumed more.
In order to easily adjust all these options, we will explain how to enable or disable Windows 10 features . Our guide explains step by step what you have to do to get to the corresponding section and how you should act to enable or disable . In addition, we explain more than one method to do it, so that you can choose the one you prefer and you find it faster or more comfortable.
Steps to enable or disable the optional features of Windows 10
As in other versions, there is a procedure to directly manipulate this entire section and activate or deactivate aspects to your liking. These are the steps to enable or disable the optional features of Windows 10 . Follow them and in a few minutes you can adjust all you want.
1 – Log in to W10 as administrator
Turn on and start the computer . Let the operating system load and choose a user profile that is enabled as an administrator . If you do not have these permissions, it is impossible to modify the characteristics of the system, so if you have not done so, you will have to log out and choose an account that has them.
2 – Go to Control Panel
Once you have initialized the system and you are inside, go to the Start bar . You have to click on the icon with the Windows symbol in the bottom bar to open the configuration and programs drop-down.
Now, type the following in the blank field (without quotes): “Control Panel.” Several results will appear immediately, you must choose the one that is called identically to what you have written. Click on it to continue.
When you are already inside the panel, look for the section called “Programs and features” . Once you find it (it is accompanied by a symbol with a CD box), click on its name to enter the panel that corresponds to it.
Within this, all you have to do now is go directly to the section called “Activate or deactivate Windows features” . Click on it and wait a few seconds for it to load.
4 – Activate or deactivate to your liking
You are already in the “Windows Features” menu . Now, you can choose all those options that you want and those that you don’t, check or uncheck to your liking so that these services are enabled or disabled.
All you have to do is click on the corresponding boxes or, if you prefer, open the folders to make much more specific adjustments. Take time to review everything properly to leave only what you really need . Everything else spends resources that can be essential for the good performance of your team.
When you’re done, just press the “Accept” button and you’re done. It is possible that, if you modify many parameters and several of them are really important, the system asks you to restart to apply the changes . In that case, accept and let the automatic restart.
There is another much shorter method to enter. You just have to click on the “Start” menu button and, within it, type the following in the search bar: “Activate or deactivate Windows features” . In this way, after clicking on the result that appears, you will directly access point 4 of the instructions we have given.
However, if you follow all the above indications, you will also be able to know the access to other important sections for the maintenance of the computer.
What are the main optional features that Windows 10 has? >
Below you have a list of some of the most important features available in the professional version of Windows 10, since many of the most interesting features such as the Hyper-V virtualization require Windows 10 > in its Professional version.
For those users who have Windows 10 Home , you will only have part of these functions. On the other hand if you are using Windows 10 Enterprise or Education , you will have many more features at your disposal.
Microsoft Message Queue (MSMO) Server: This old service improves communications on unreliable networks by queuing messages instead of sending immediately. This is only useful if you have a business application that you require and use this particular feature.
NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0): You will need it installed to run applications written for these versions of .NET. Windows will install it automatically if an application requires it. .NET Framework 4.6
Advanced Services: These features are also installed automatically if necessary. They are only necessary to run applications that require it. Active
Directory Lightweight Directory Services: This provides an LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) server. It runs as a Windows service and offers a directory for user authentication on a network. It is a lightweight alternative to a full Active Directory server and will only be useful on certain business networks.
Hyper-V: This is a virtualization tool from Microsoft. It includes the underlying platform and services and a graphical Hyper-V Administrator tool for creating, managing and using virtual machines.
Media Features (Windows Media Player): You can disable access to Windows Media Player from here, if you see fit.
Internet Information Services: Provides Microsoft IIS web and FTP servers along with server management tools.
Legacy components (DirectPlay): DirectPlay was part of DirectX, and was used for networking and multiplayer games by some games. Windows 10 will install it automatically when an old game that requires DirectPlay is installed.
Internet Information Server Core Web Hosting : Allows you to host a web server using IIS within your own process. You only need to install this if you need to run an application that requires it.
Isolated User Mode: A new feature in Windows 10 that allows applications to run in a secure and isolated space if they are scheduled to do so.
Microsoft Print to PDF: Windows 10 includes a PDF printer that can be deactivated if required.