Windows 11 has optional features that users or businesses can choose to turn on and install if they need them. These features give users more functionalities and control of their PC. Most of the features are for businesses, IT firms, and server administrators who may need extra features to achieve what they want. You can control most of the features through the Control Panel or Settings because most of them are off. Some of these features include the appearance of the taskbar, auto HDR, snap layouts, etc. One can opt in and out of these optional features and functionalities to the extent allowed by the service description. Additional benefits and functions come with these features on Windows 11, making the user experience even better. The benefits are for online and offline uses, depending on users’ wants. A person’s niche determines what to install and what not to. Business features are different from educational ones; some need general ones. Those categorized as optional include some from Windows legacy tools like Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, and WordPad. In this guide, we will look at some of the best Windows 11 optional features and how to turn them on.

What features should be turned on in Windows 11?

This version of Windows comes with many of these optional features that you can turn on and off. The components work well for servers and businesses, although some are general. For optimal performance, you should take caution not to enable every feature so as not to slow down the system’s performance. It also helps for security reasons. Since there are many optional features available, they take a lot of space, and so the hard drive fills whether they are enabled or not. The process of enabling and disabling can be done offline because the features are stored on the computer already. There are other notable features like Windows 11 themes. Optional features give you more power and control of your machine so if you like to tweak the system, they will come in handy. The majority of the features like RAS Connection Manager Administration Kit (CMAK), Microsoft Message Queue (MSMO) Server, Internet Information Services (IIS), Data Center Bridging enable you to manage servers and networks using your PC. They help in improving productivity. You can multitask by enabling features that support your work, e.g., turning on multiple Windows. It also gives you the chance to improve the user experience of your PC. You can turn on several features like the change taskbar and desktop interfaces to improve the user experience.

How do I enable optional features in Windows 11?

Some of our readers experienced a problem where the list of Windows 11 optional features is empty or not loading. SPONSORED In this case, you will need to set the Windows Modules Installer service to start automatically.

What are the best Windows 11 optional features?

1. The classic File Explorer: How to restore it

In Windows 11, most of the options are behind dropdown menus. To get rid of that and display all the commands as a ribbon, we use the steps stated above to achieve that. However, we need to mention that this method removes the Share command from File Explorer so if you want to use it, think twice about using the solution. It’s not really a problem because you can always perform the steps again and remove the string value and back to how it was before. You have to be careful when editing your Registry Editor, and it can cause you to lose data and force you to install Windows afresh.

2. Auto HDR to improve the gaming experience

Auto HDR improves the gaming experience when you configure it well. It will help users benefit from over the 800 games enhancement, each looking vibrant and detailed. However, you should know that not all devices support the HDR feature so if your device doesn’t show this option, you will not be able to turn it on.

3. Use Snap Layouts to split the screen into multiple areas

You can choose from several options when arranging the pages with other apps. The layout also depends on the PC’s display, i.e., some are 16:9, 3:2, etc. If your display has 1920 pixels or below, you won’t be able to enjoy these features due to the Windows 11 requirements.

4. Different backgrounds for virtual desktops

5. New keyboard shortcuts

Although Windows 11 inherited all the Windows 10 shortcuts, the new OS has some additional keyboard shortcuts that give you access to some of its features:

Press Windows key+ Alt + Up arrow – To snap active Windows to the top half of the screen. Hit the Windows key+ Alt + Down arrow – To snap active Windows to the bottom half of the screen. Press Windows key + W – to open the widgets. Hit Windows key + Z – to open snap layouts. Press Windows key + H – to initiate voice typing.

6. Taskbar size – How to change it

When the PC restarts, it applies all the changes according to your choice. You can play around with the values and maintain the size you like.

Is it safe to work with Windows 11’s optional features?

There is no problem with turning Windows 11’s optional features on. As they help you improve and maximize your results to meet the set goals. But you have to ensure that the features you turn on, you can control and limit them. You might also be interested in our article on the best Windows 11 tips & tricks to customize your OS. For some users, turning a lot of the features on can affect your PC’s storage and memory, leading to slow performance that can affect your daily duties. It can also make your PC vulnerable. If you turned an optional feature on and aren’t using it, it’s good to turn it off. If you plan to install Windows 11 on your PC, make sure that it meets the system requirements and if you face any issues, try to troubleshoot the problem and how you can overcome them. Which optional features of Windows 11 do you use? Let us know in the comments section.

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