Question about "Features on Demand" (Capabilities)

[404]

So I've decided against removing any components from Windows, and really anything that isn't "supposed" to be removed. It's just too much to worry about and I have to draw the line somewhere.

I'm taking the approach of disabling, rather than removing, which is also what I have the most experience with. Comparing my fully disabled Windows to a fully "removed" Windows (presets, customOS' etc.) there was basically 0 difference in terms of processes, yet it is fully flexible and fixable if need be.

That said, I still really love NTLite for the fact that so many options can be pre-set in the ISO and such.

So I have a question about "Question about Features on Demand (capabilities)". Is it documented where all of these can be "found" in Windows, so I can asses if I really need them? Some of them are under "Optional features" in Windows, but not all.

Really any information that can be given about these I will appreciate. Thanks.

 

[Clanger]

So I've decided against removing any components from Windows, and really anything that isn't "supposed" to be removed. It's just too much to worry about and I have to draw the line somewhere.

I'm taking the approach of disabling, rather than removing, which is also what I have the most experience with. Comparing my fully disabled Windows to a fully "removed" Windows (presets, customOS' etc.) there was basically 0 difference in terms of processes, yet it is fully flexible and fixable if need be.

Some food for thought. LTSC's only removal was defender.


nuhi has always been about customisation with removals being one part of that. There is still plenty you can do to whip an OS into shape.

 

[garlin]

Features on Demand are optional packages, which can be enabled or disabled by the user. Some features are pre-installed, and others available to download through Windows Update. If you understand how Windows services can be switched on/off, then think of FODs as entire packages which are the same thing.

Windows includes a set of pre-installed features in the ISO. When they are enabled (during initial setup), DISM creates a set of hardlinks and registry changes to make that feature usable. To disable a feature, the matching links and registry updates are removed. You can enable/disable a FOD feature repeatedly.

Pre-installed FOD packages are always safe to permanently remove. On the Updates screen, installed FOD packages are listed in the right side next to KB updates. If you remove them, the feature option will be gone and can't be re-installed without a host refresh.

By default, many Intel and other network drivers are pre-installed FOD's. If you have separate drivers, it's safe to delete them.

Features which are not pre-installed, but downloadable through the control panel, can be added to the ISO. Download the optional FOD ISO for that Windows release, extract the feature CAB packages and add them as updates.

https://www.ntlite.com/community/in...e-packs-for-windows-11-10-8-1-7.17/post-21700

 

[Hellbovine]

I actually did exactly what the OP is describing and made a full list some months ago. If you want to remove FOD packages, below is the list for how to compare NTLite FOD removals to the Windows naming scheme as if you were uninstalling them via the "Programs and Features" of the Control Panel in Windows. If you aren't sure how to use this list, skip to the example.

Keep in mind I did this on W10 21H2 so the naming may have changed slightly for later builds. Also, I reported an NTLite issue with the Xbox apps, and the result of that was an NTLite update that split Xbox out into 4 components from 2, and I haven't updated this list to show that yet, so I removed Xbox from the list below to avoid confusion.

FOD REMOVALS

Spoiler: click here to reveal text

[Windows] Start > Windows System > Control Panel > Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or off:
[NTLite] Features:
- Microsoft Print to PDF
- Microsoft XPS Document Writer
- Print and Document Services
- SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support
- Windows PowerShell 2.0
- Work Folders Client

[Windows] Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features > Optional features:
[NTLite] Features > Features On Demand (Capabilities):
- Math Recognizer
- Microsoft Quick Assist
- OpenSSH Client
- Windows Fax and Scan
- Windows Hello Face
- Windows PowerShell Integrated Scripting Environment

[Windows] Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features:
[NTLite] Components > Windows Apps > Apps:
- 3D Viewer / NTLite: 3DViewer
- Feedback Hub / NTLite: FeedbackHub
- Groove Music / NTLite: ZuneMusic
- Mail and Calendar / NTLite: Windows Mail
- Microsoft Solitaire Collection / NTLite: SolitaireCollection
- Mixed Reality Portal / NTLite: MixedReality.Portal
- Movies & TV / NTLite: ZuneVideo
- Office / NTLite: OfficeHub
- OneNote / NTLite: Office.OneNote
- Paint 3D
- Skype / NTLite: SkypeApp
- Snip & Sketch / NTLite: ScreenSketch
- Sticky Notes / NTLite: StickyNotes
- Tips / NTLite: Tips (Get Started)
- Voice Recorder / NTLite: SoundRecorder
- Weather / NTLite: BingWeather

[Windows] Start > Windows System > Control Panel > Programs and Features:
[NTLite] Components > Remoting and Privacy > Cloud Files API:
- Microsoft OneDrive / NTLite: OneDrive

EXAMPLE:

Spoiler: click here to reveal text

Let's say you want to remove Windows "Movies & TV" app. Well in Windows you use this:
Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features > Movies & TV > Uninstall

But inside NTLite you would go to this path to make your image simply not install that app to begin with:
Components > Windows Apps > Apps > ZuneVideo > Uncheck

Some of the components inside NTLite don't have the same display name as they do inside Windows, and so you have to just do some trial and error to figure it out. This is because Microsoft uses one name for things under the hood, but then changes the display name to the users in places like "Programs and Features" which causes confusion. NTLite uses the under the hood naming.

It should be noted that there are a few things I left off the list, because I deemed them necessary for all setups and I don't think anyone should remove them, such as Notepad for example.

As far as the "0 difference in processes" this is actually pretty inaccurate. While the "Processes" in Task Manager may not decrease a lot, this isn't what you need to be focused on for performance improvements. The big thing is to look at "Threads" and "Handles", and those will decrease substantially as things are disabled. You will also notice a huge difference in things like Disk Access, Network Activity, and Memory Usage in Task Manager.