When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As a result, it's recommended to back up any important data before proceeding. If youre using Windows 10 Home, youll only have some of these features. To launch the Control Panel, right-clickthe Start button or press Windows+X on your keyboard, then select Control Panel from the menu that pops up. On the other hand, "Disks & volumes" is the new experience designed to replace the Disk Management console. You can always restore the data after the process. GPT (GUID Partition Table) (recommended). Enabling these features on an individual machine is pointless. Important:Storage Sense works on your system drive only, which contains the Windows operating system and is usually referred to asC:. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. However, the process will erase everything on the drive. The best antivirus deals offer you great protection for your devices in a nice and simple-to-use package. Items in the Recycle Bin will be deleted based on how long they have been in the Recycle Bin. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. If you see a feature with a black square, instead of a check mark, then it means that only part of the feature is enabled. You should ensure that you truly do not want the apps you are eliminating, but youll see that ridding your storage space of unused apps, games, and large files will make a huge difference in performance and free up room for the software you will use. Whatever the reason, Windows 11 includes many ways to manage storage devices, including the Disks & volumes settings and Disk Management. The list here shows all of your Installed features. You will receive a verification email shortly. Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge. To delete a drive volume and its data on Windows 11, use these steps: Once you complete the steps, the data will be erased, and the volume deleted from the hard drive. If you have a hard drive with multiple terabytes of storage and don't store any files, you may not benefit from this feature. In fact, the operating system is continually updated to add new ones. In fact, some features are designed specifically for use in business or education where an administrator needs greater control over the computer network. Cookie Notice When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. You can use the power of ChatGPT in Google Slides now, Google Chromes latest update solves the browsers biggest problem, Best Antivirus Deals: Protect your PC or Mac from just $25. . Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, You can also change the file system from NTFS to FAT32, but the process will delete everything on the storage. how to check what edition of Windows you have, Windows Hello is Windows 10's biometric login, the best features available in the newest Windows 10 update, How AI Was Surprisingly Absent at MWC 2023, MakeUseOf MWC Awards 2023: The Best Tech in Show, No, There Isn't a ChatGPT Windows ClientIt's Malware. You can also press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog, type "optionalfeatures . Select any of these to bring up a detailed list of what is taking up space on your hard drive and wheres its located. If you turn on Storage Sense, the default settings will run when your device is low on disk space. Optional features are precisely that: functionality that you can choose to enable if you wish. Getting beyond a joke now. Click OKand Windows will applywhatever changes you made. Under the "Local Disk (C:)" section, see what's taking up space on Windows 11. To manage optional features using the Settings app on Windows 10, do the following: You can also click the Add a feature button to add a number of fonts for different languages. Confirm drive information, such as drive ID, manufacturer, model, serial number, media type, etc. 200+ vehicle storage units. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Check out the map feature to pinpoint a car storage space just down the street, or scroll through the available . To access Windows 10 optional features in Control Panel, do a system search for Turn Windows features on or off and select the relevant result. For all usages except mirror boot volumes (using a mirror volume to host the operating system), dynamic disks are deprecated. Which version are you on? UnderTemporary files ,choose when files from yourRecycleBin or Downloads folder aredeleted. As a result, it's recommended to back up any data before proceeding. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Apps & Features typically contain the lions share of dead weight, making it a good place to start if you want to clear out disk space. You'll notice that lots of the features on this list are language packs. Storage reimagined. Navigate to the location of the removable media, then select Paste . The NTFS file system available on Windows 11 also includes a lightweight compression feature, which allows you to reduce the size of files and save space while retaining normal access without manual decompression. What the heck is a Tiny-in-One? Restart your computer as indicated by the wizard to complete the task. To do so, open the Start menu, type optionalfeatures, and press Enter. Open File Explorer from the taskbar and find the files you want to move. Confirm disk number, type, status, partition style, capacity, and more. Open Settings on Windows 11. If you don't use a feature and want to clear up a bit of storage space, you can select it on the list and click Uninstall. Open the Optional Features page in Windows 10. We'll be covering Windows 10 Pro. Open up Server Manager.By default Server Manager starts when logging into Windows Server. In that case, it might be that your hard drive is full of little-used programs and years-old files, taking up space and slowing down Windows 11s performance while contributing nothing.You won't find a shortcut to Disk Management in your Windows Start menu or Apps screen because it's not a program in the same sense that most other software on your computer is.Issues addressed in this tutorial: windows storage management appwindows storage management featureswindows storage management windows 11windows storage management features windows 11windows 11 storage managementThis tutorial will apply for computers, laptops, desktops, and tablets running the Windows 11 operating system (Home, Professional, Enterprise, Education) from all supported hardware manufactures, like Dell, HP, Acer, Asus, Toshiba, Lenovo, and Samsung. Select the feature, and then select Uninstall. Note:If you do not see an entry for Previous Windows Installation(s), you do not have a previous installation of Windows to uninstall. Notepad. Chrome has a reputation for its speed, security, and feature drops, as well as a penchant for hanging on to your precious RAM like an episode of Hoarders. Designed to be a hub connecting all your data management features, the Windows 10 Storage menu has many features allowing you to review and alter files quickly and programs to reorganize and open up additional space. Privacy Policy. Can Storage Sense runifIm not signed in? Heresmore info on how it works and how to set it up to meet your needs. Please refresh the page and try again. However, there are some Windows legacy tools that are now classed as optional. Storage subsystem manufacturers can support Windows-based storage management for their products by implementing a Storage Management Provider (SMP). If you want to get rid of an app, click on it to bring up an instant Uninstall button, which works for all apps on your computer, not just those downloaded from the Windows Store. To format a drive with a new volume and file system with the Disks & volumes settings, use these steps: After you complete the steps, the data will be erased, and the volume will be formatted with a new file system, drive letter, and label. The Quick Assist Feature on Demand is no longer available. Select the disk from the list (if applicable). Saving this for future reference. You can also press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog, type optionalfeatures, and press Enter. Click the Storage page on the right side. RELATED: How to Install and Use the Linux Bash Shell on Windows 10. Cloud files can exist locally on the disk or be available online only. Confirm details like device type, manufacturer, and location. To convert a secondary drive from MBR to GPT on Windows 11, use these steps: Once you complete the steps, the partition type will convert to GPT. Manage Optional Features in Settings. If you ever dont have a feature you think you should, its a good place to check. Look Lenovo's way to find out. Have you run your antivirus software to ensure that your machine is clean of malware? To change the size of a volume on Windows 11, use these steps: After you complete the steps, the volume will appear with the new size on the system. If the box has a black fill, that means only part of the feature is . The Windows Storage Management provider can be used to manage a wide range of storage configurations, from single-disk desktops to external storage arrays. On the right, click on the link Manage optional features. How To Install Windows Storage Management In Windows 11 [Tutorial]You'll need to open the Disk Management tool if you want to partition a hard drive, format . What the heck is a Tiny-in-One? Sample . These are extensions and plugins used in software all over your computer that you may not need. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Heres how it works. We select and review products independently. These cmdlets use the Windows Storage Management API (SMAPI) to manage local storage, such as disk, partition, and volume objects. Open the Start menu and select Settings > Apps > Apps & features.Open Apps & features settings. Select the available volume and click the. To change the drive letter from the Settings app on Windows 11, use these steps: After you complete the steps, the new letter will apply to the drive. Although it's possible to format, review details, and change various settings from within File Explorer, the Disks & volumes settings and the Disk Management console offer the most options to manage storage drives on Windows 11. Since we launched in 2006, our articles have been read billions of times. The app works as a Google Workspace plug-in, which you can install and then access from the Extensions option within a Google Slides presentation. Windows Central is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Click Programs in the list and then select Turn Windows features on or off under Programs and Features. To choosethe conditionsfor when inactive files are made online only, underContent will become online-only if notopenedfor more than:choose your preferred amount of time. The GPT style overcomes the limitations for drives up to 9.4ZB and supports 128 primary partitions, and it's the style required for devices using Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). Car Storage near Norco, California. You can always enable sub-features by expanding and checking the ones you want to enable. You'll also notice that some features have multiple features under them. Similar to the new Disks & volumes experience, Disk Management has the tools to set up new volumes, including formatting, changing labels and letters, enabling compression, and changing volume size. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Or, instead of using the entire drive to store files, you may want to resize the volume to create additional volumes to store different types of files. Of if you're a developer working on Windows and Linux, and you need a command-line tool like the Bash shell on Ubuntu. Note that there several sections here, including Apps & Features, Documents, Pictures, Temporary files, and Other. Confirm details like storage usage, file system, and type. By submitting your email, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can also use the same instructions to convert the drive to MBR. You can use Storage Spaces to group two or more drives together in a storage pool and then use capacity from that pool to create virtual drives called storage spaces. These optional features can't be entirely removed from your device, and they'll continue to use space on your hard drive, but depending on the functionalities required, you can enable or disable them as needed. It also requires you to have an OpenAI account, because you will need to have an API key to keep track of your usage. These may be pre-installed, acquired on demand by the system, or installed manually by you. Neighbor offers an easier, safer, cheaper and more convenient RV storage option in Norco, California. Note:Low free disk space will vary depending on disk size and minimum operational thresholds. Youll have to use the old Windows Features dialog, available in the Control Panel, to manage features. Files can bemadelocally available again if there is free disk space and network connectivity. Click Manage and select Add Roles and Features to start the Add Roles and Features Wizard. Purpose. The Windows Storage Management API supersedes the Virtual Disk Service API beginning with the Windows8 and Windows Server2012 operating systems. While reserved storage can't be removed, Microsoft classes it as an 'optional feature', which can be viewed in Settings > Apps > Apps & features > Manage optional features. We're going to explore the different places where you can enable optional Windows 10 features and explain what they do. To create a new data volume with Disk Management, use these steps: After you complete the steps, you will end up with a new volume that will appear in File Explorer with a file system, drive letter, and label you specified. The default is to never delete these files unless you specify. To enable file compression at the drive level on Windows 11, use these steps: After you complete the steps, files and folders that you store on the drive will use compression to reduce the space usage. Select the files, go to the Home tab,then select Move to and select Chooselocation. If you plan to upgrade to Windows 11, you can convert an MBR drive to GPT with these instructions. How to manage drives with Disks & volumes settings on Windows 11, How to manage drives with Disk Management on Windows 11, Windows 11 on Windows Central All you need to know, Windows 10 on Windows Central All you need to know, Lenovo's Surface-like IdeaPad Duet 3i packs the Intel N-series CPU but you won't find it in the US, Lenovo's new ThinkPad Z13 features a woven Flax cover made from plant fibers, Lenovo ditches old haptic touchpad tech for Sensels FusionUX stack heres why its a big deal. To manage storage space in Windows 10 for your Windows 10 device, open the "Settings" window and click the "System" button in the middle of the screen to display system settings for your device. Select the drive letter with the "Drive letter" drop-down menu. (Optional) Confirm the size of the volume if you plan to create multiple volumes. To create a new volume on Windows 11, use these steps: Once you complete the steps, the wizard will create a new volume that will appear in File Explorer with a file system, drive letter, and label. These suggestions are listed in order, so start with the first one, see if that helps, and then continue to the next one if it doesn't. To check the total disk space left on your Windows 11 device, select File Explorer from the taskbar, and then select This PC on the left. Optional features. Did you know that Windows 10 has lots of optional features that you can enable? Learn about Windows 10 storage first (dont worry, its easier than it looks). Other features include the ability to delete files from within CCleaner and organize data by file type to determine which extensions are bloating your hard drive, and new software updates are frequently released. You can generate a key from your account in the View API keys section. Or when you want to set up an FTP server to create your private cloud and share files without restrictions. Otherwise, register and sign in. If you are saying 99.9% of Windows Central readers then may be. Click on Programs. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. XPS Viewer , in the list under Add a feature. If a feature has a checkmark next to it, its enabled. Google Chrome is one of the best browsers around, but it's always had a big problem with memory usage. Note:Anysettingsyou choose will apply onlyforyou. UnderDelete files in my recycle bin if they have been there for over: and Delete files in my Downloads folder if they haven't been opened for more than:,choose when files from yourRecycleBin or Downloads folder aredeleted. To initialize a hard drive on Windows 11, use these steps: After you complete the steps, the hard drive will initialize, allowing the system to connect with the storage to manage partitions and data. Click the Turn Windows features on or off link. For more info about locally available content, see What do the OneDrive icons mean? Confirm the volume properties, such as label, letter, type, file system, status, and more. Typically, when you connect an internal or external hard drive, it comes already formatted with the necessary settings to make it plug-and-play. In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to optional features turn on and off, and we'll provide details on what they are. However, it's still recommended to create a backup of data before proceeding. Chris has written for. To find out what the latest is, here are the best features available in the newest Windows 10 update. . If you are not receiving newsletters, please check your spam folder. Note:To delete unnecessary files manually instead, scroll down and underFree up space now, select Clean now. Specify the new size (in megabytes) to shrink or expand the space of the volume. The MBR is the legacy style required for the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) and supports up to 2TB of storage and four partitions. Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more. On Windows Server 2003, coexistence with Logical Disk Manager (LDM) is not supported. Open Storage settings. $53 . Small $17. Add feature packages, also known as optional components, to Windows PE (WinPE). The list of available Windows features appears. Additionally, this software will send this list to your PC so that you can inspect and deliberate on which items should stay or go. These may be pre-installed, acquired on demand by the system, or installed manually by you. Heres an explanation ofwhat each feature is for, and how to turn them on or off. Storage Sense can automatically free up drive space for you by getting rid of items that youdon'tneed, like temporary files and items inyourRecycleBin. Confirm the drive health, including estimated remaining life and temperature. If youre using Windows 10 Enterprise or Education, youll have even more features available. To format a hard drive with a new volume and file system on Windows 11, use these steps: Once you complete the steps, the tool will wipe out the drive, and it will create a new volume formatted with a new file system, drive letter, and label you specified. For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources: Get the best of Windows Central in your inbox, every day! Although Windows 10 includes the Settings app, you still need to use Control Panel to manage optional features on your computer, if you want to create virtual machines using Hyper-V, use Internet Information Services (IIS) to set up an FTP server, or add the Linux Bash command-line tool. . Alternatively, press Windows key + R to open Run, input optionalfeatures, and click OK. To enable a feature, tick the box next to it. When you're ready, click Install. To add an optional feature, click Add a feature. The exact features available to you here depend on the editionof Windows 10 youre using. Is your computer sluggish, taking ages to respond to a simple request? Settings app -> Apps -> Optional Features -> Add a Feature -> "Windows Storage Management - 12.1 MB". 2 Click/tap on Apps & features on the left side, and click/tap on the Optional features link on the right side. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community. Most Windows users will never need to visit this window and actively manage these features. You don't need to bring it online or initialize the drive using this interface. He has a Business degree and over a decade of professional writing and editing experience. Get started today for free and join the millions . Cortana and the search menu are happy to help and take you directly there if you search for storage. If you prefer a more traditional way, head over to Settings > System > Storage. Please refresh the page and try again. Reserved Storage will take around 7GB of your device's disk space so Windows can update. While it can be good to have a basic understanding of these optional features and how to manage them, for the most part, regular users don't have to worry about them. Windows 10 version 2004 is making the following features optional and you can uninstall/disable them from the Settings app: Paint. These include the likes of Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, and WordPad. When an optional feature is installed, Windows will increase the amount of reserved storage to ensure there is space to maintain this feature on your device when updates are installed. Joe is a Deputy Editor at MUO. If you use Home, not all the optional features will be available to you. Click the plus icon to expand the feature, wherein you can enable and disable specific elements. GUID Partition Table (GPT) and Master Boot Record (MBR) are partition styles that define how data is stored on drives. On Windows 11, you can also mount a drive as a folder instead of using a drive letter to reduce the number of system drives. If you have important data, it's recommended to export the files to an alternate location, format the drive with the new file system, and restore the files. To choosethe conditionsfor when inactive files are made online only, underContent will become online-only if notopenedfor more than:choose your preferred amount of time. Windows 10 will automatically install features programs require, when necessary, though for certain features, its handy to know where you can turn them on or off. This is a non-destructive process, which means that you should be able to convert the drive without worrying about the data. However, sometimes there are particular scenarios where you may need to turn on or off an optional feature manually. If a feature doesnt have a checkmark, its disabled. Indoor RV Storage near Norco, California. on Windows 10 build 2004: Settings app -> Apps -> Optional Features -> Add a Feature -> "Windows Storage Management - 12.1 MB" has anyone tried it? Select your removable media from the location list, and then select Move. Select the files, then select Cut on the ribbon. When you have to add or remove functionality to your computer, this guide can help you manage Windows 10's "optional features.". ; Navigate to the Features step of the wizard. Should You Disable Windows Services to Speed Up Your PC? Help Become a host. How to Disable SMBv1 and Protect Your Windows PC From Attack, Windows 10s New Sandbox Feature is Everything Weve Always Wanted, How to Enable Intel VT-x in Your Computers BIOS or UEFI Firmware, How to Install and Use the Linux Bash Shell on Windows 10, 2023 LifeSavvy Media. If your PC runs into low disk space and you have not interacted with Storage Sense in the past, we may turn on Storage Sense to manage selecttemporary files, then notify you. To change the display name of the drive on Windows 11, use these steps: After you complete the steps, the label will appear on the hard drive. LastPass reveals how it got hacked and its not good news, The best free parental control software for PC, Mac, iOS, and Android, Microsoft is already expanding Bing Chat to Skype and phones, New Windows 11 update adds ChatGPT-powered Bing AI to the taskbar, A beginners guide to Tor: How to navigate the underground internet, This devious scam app proves that Macs arent bulletproof, This major Apple bug could let hackers steal your photos and wipe your device, Microsofts Bing Chat: how to join the waitlist now. You should ensure that you truly do not want the apps you are eliminating, but youll see that ridding your storage space of unused apps, games, and large files will make a huge difference in performance and free up room for the software you will use. You're in a low disk state when the capacity bar in Start > Settings > System > Storage turns red. Here's how to turn on or off optional features on Windows 10 using Control Panel: Open Control Panel. However, it's recommended to back up any data as changing partition styles will completely erase the drive. Items in your Downloads folder will be deleted based on how long they have been unopened. Important:Storage Sense works on your system drive only, which contains the Windows operating system and is usually referred to asC:. To change the size of a volume on Windows 11, use these steps: Open Settings. Neighbor offers an easier, safer, cheaper and more convenient car storage option in Norco, California. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community. Sleeker, more powerful, and redesigned check out the new Lenovo ThinkPad X13 and X13 Yoga. Use Group Policy or MDM to hide Windows Features Storage Sense is off by default. If you prefer, you can choose to turn Storage Sense off right away or after the low disk state is resolved. Click the Show more categories option. Please provide a valid email address to continue. NortonLifeLock 360 Deluxe -- $25, was $90. Windows 11 can also monitor the health of solid-state drives (SSDs) and report any problems before a critical error occurs to give you enough time to back up your data before it's too late. Go toStart >Settings >System >Storage . If you must change partition styles, you can perform this task from the drive settings. Starting with Windows 11 Insider Preview build 22572, Quick Assist is a preinstalled app which is updated through the Microsoft Store. Although the partition style should already be GPT, you may still come across volumes partitioned using the legacy MBR. Sorry, an error occurred during subscription. ; Scroll down in the list of Features and check the Windows Standards-Based Storage Management feature. there's literally no information on the Internet or Reddit about this Optional Feature. But did you know that Windows 10 contains some optional features that you can enable? How do I deleteWindows.oldor Previous Windows Installation(s)? Windows 11 still includes Disk Management, which is the legacy interface to manage primary, secondary, and removable drives connected to your computer. Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support. Select Configure Storage Sense or run it now, and under Temporary Files, select when you want each type of files deleted. On the right, click on the link Manage optional features. Up to 35% Off. For more info, see Windows Storage Management API . Go to Apps > Apps & features. These are extensions and plugins used in software all over your computer that you may not need. This Feature on Demand is preinstalled, but not available on the Languages and Optional Features ISO. If any of the following optional features are installed, However, the reset from cloud will not work if any of these optional features are installed: . Print Management Console: This is used for . Today's tech news, curated and condensed for your inbox. Join 425,000 subscribers and get a daily digest of news, geek trivia, and our feature articles. The list of features we mentioned in this guide covers all the ones included with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, but remember that they can change in future releases. Read on while we guide you through the best options and explain why you should consider them. If Storage Sense is turned on with the default settings, it will run when your device is low on disk space and will clean up unnecessary temporary files. is an excellent freemium option for the average PC owner. Reserve today! RIP Listener? Choose your preferences for deleting temporary files. When an optional feature is installed, Windows will increase the amount of reserved storage to ensure there is space to maintain this feature on your device when updates are installed. However, you can check the estimated remaining life, spare information, and temperature at any time. Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge. How-To Geek is where you turn when you want experts to explain technology. and our Is it worth it to make a switch from i7 to pentium? It's only a place to manage particular modern Windows 10 features, such as Windows Developer Mode, Contact Support, and Microsoft Quick Assist. Select the drive to change the file system on Windows 11.