Each edition of Windows 7 and Windows 8 comes with a predefined set of programs, features and apps installed. You can customize Windows by removing the features you don’t need and by adding those which you do need, but are not installed by default. Also, when removing unwanted features, programs or apps, you can save quite a bit of space on your hard disk. This tutorial will show in detail, how to add or remove Windows features both in Windows 7 and Windows 8.

All the required changes are done from a window named Windows Features.

How to Open the Windows Features Window in Windows 7

The Windows Features window can be opened only from Add Remove Programs (also named Program and Features). The easiest way is to search for the words "add remove" in the Start Menu search field and click on Add or remove programs.

You can also open the Control Panel and click the "Uninstall a program" link, found in the Programs section.

In the Programs and Features window, there is a link on the left-side column which says "Turn Windows features on or off". Click on it.

The Windows Features window is now opened.

How to Open the Windows Features Window in Windows 8

Opening Windows Features in Windows 8 is done in a similar way to Windows 7. First, search for the words add remove in the Windows 8 Start screen. Click Settings (on the right) to filter the results and then on Add or remove programs.

Alternatively, you can open the Control Panel and click on the "Uninstall a program" link, found in the Programs section.

Then, click on "Turn Windows features on or off" and the Windows Features window is opened.

How to Remove Windows Features and Programs

The Windows Features window lists all the Windows features, programs and apps available for your specific version of Windows. The entries that are checked, are installed and available on your computer. To view more information about an entry and what it does, simply hold the mouse for a while on top of it, without clicking.

To remove a Windows feature or program, simply uncheck it from the list. You can uncheck multiple entries at once. When done, click OK.

NOTE: When unchecking some features (not all) Windows warns you that turning them offer will affect other Windows features, programs or default settings. To learn more, don’t hesitate to click the "Go online to learn more" link found on the bottom of the warning. If you are ok with the effects of your choice, click Yes. Otherwise, click No and the removal process won’t go ahead.

Then, Windows informs you that it needs to restart your computer to apply the changes. Click Restart Now and wait for the restart to be performed. Please note that the restart will take longer than usual, because Windows needs to spend additional time to configure itself according to your instructions.

How to Add Windows Features and Programs

Adding features to Windows involves the same steps as removing them. The only difference is that you check items instead of unchecking them.

During the installation process, depending on what you selected for installation, Windows might request your permission to download some files from Windows Update. Allow it to do so, in order for the installation to complete successfully.

At times, it can even ask for the Windows installation disc. Insert it into your DVD/Blu-Ray drive and allow it to copy the files it requires from the disc.

Also, depending on what programs and features you installed, you might be requested to restart your computer, in order for the installation to finish successfully.

What’s Different in Windows 8?

The procedures are the same in Windows 8 as in Windows 7. It’s just that in Windows 8, most dialogue windows are bigger than in Windows 7.

The questions, decisions and options available are the same in both operating systems.

Do You Save Hard Disk Space by Removing Windows Features and Programs?

I was really curious to learn if, when removing Windows features and programs, Windows occupies less space on disk. If you are quickly remaining out of space, is it worth removing some Windows features and programs you don’t use? It turns out that the answer is Yes!.

I made some quick measurements on my Windows 7 computer: the "C:" drive where Windows 7 is installed, had 49.8GB occupied space and 3.49GB free space. The Windows folder used 24.8GB, Program Files used 2.94GB while Program Files(x86) used 4.49GB.

I do not use Windows features such as: Internet games, More games, Windows DVD Maker, Windows Media Center, Windows Fax and Scan and the Windows Gadget Platform. Therefore I decided to remove them.

After the removal process, my "C:" drive had 49.5GB occupied space and 3.80GB free space. The Windows folder used 24.7GB, Program Files used 2.81GB while Program Files(x86) used 4.48GB. In total, the main folders used by Windows required approximately 0.24GB (245MB) less space. It is a decent space saving when free disk space is a real problem.

Conclusion

As you can see from this tutorial, adding or removing features to Windows is relatively easy. For more useful tips, don’t hesitate to read the articles we recommend below.