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programs and features settings in windows 11

Accessing Programs and Features Settings in Windows 11 (And Its Modern Equivalent)

Managing the software installed on your Windows 11 PC is essential for keeping your system running smoothly, freeing up disk space, and removing unwanted applications. While users ноги older Windows versions are familiar with “Programs and Features” in the Control Panel, Windows 11 primarily handles app management through the “Installed apps” section in the Settings app. This guide will show you how to access and use these programs and features settings in Windows 11.

The Modern Approach: “Installed apps” in Windows 11 Settings

For most users, the Settings app is the go-to place for managing applications in Windows 11.

Accessing “Installed apps”

  1. Open Settings (you can press Windows key + I).
  2. In the left sidebar, click on Apps.
  3. Select Installed apps.

What You Can Do in “Installed apps”

Here, you’ll find a comprehensive list of all applications installed on your system, including both traditional desktop programs and apps from the Microsoft Store. You can:

  • View and Sort: See app names, publishers, install dates, and sizes. You can sort the list by these criteria.
  • Search: Quickly find a specific app using the search bar.
  • Uninstall an app:
    1. Locate the app in the list.
    2. Click the three dots (ellipsis) (…) next to the app name.
    3. Select Uninstall from the menu and follow the prompts. (Illustrative placeholder for UI element)
  • Modify an app (if available):
    1. Click the three dots (…) next to the app.
    2. If the application supports it, you’ll see a Modify option. Clicking this usually launches the application’s own installer/modifier.
  • Advanced options (Repair/Reset – primarily for Store apps):
    1. Click the three dots (…) next to an app and select Advanced options.
    2. Here you may find:
      • Repair: If an app isn’t working correctly, try repairing it. This attempts to fix the app without losing your data.
      • Reset: If repairing doesn’t help, you can reset the app. This will reinstall the app and revert it to its default settings, and your app data will be deleted.

Accessing the Classic “Programs and Features” in Windows 11

Some users may still prefer or need to access the traditional “Programs and Features” Control Panel applet, perhaps due to familiarity or for specific options related to older desktop programs.

Method 1: Via Control Panel

  1. In the Windows search bar, type “Control Panel” and open it.
  2. Change the “View by:” option (top right) to either “Large icons” or “Small icons” if it’s set to “Category”.
  3. Click on Programs and Features.
    • If “View by:” is “Category”, you can click on “Uninstall a program” under the “Programs” heading.

Method 2: Via Run Command (Quickest Way)

  1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter or click OK. (Illustrative placeholder for UI element)

What You Can Do in Classic “Programs and Features”

This interface primarily lists installed desktop programs (Microsoft Store apps are generally managed through Settings).

  • Uninstall a program: Select the program from the list and click the “Uninstall” or “Uninstall/Change” button at the top.
  • Change a program: If the program offers modification options through its installer, selecting it and clicking “Change” will launch that process.
  • Repair a program: Some programs offer a “Repair” option here, which typically runs the installer’s repair routine.
  • Turn Windows features on or off: In the left pane, this link opens a dialog to manage integral Windows components like .NET Framework, Hyper-V, Internet Information Services (IIS), etc.

“Installed apps” vs. “Programs and Features”: Key Differences

  • Scope: “Installed apps” in Settings shows both Microsoft Store apps and traditional desktop programs. “Programs and Features” in Control Panel focuses mainly on desktop programs.
  • Functionality: The Settings app offers “Repair” and “Reset” options more prominently for Store apps, which are not usually available in the classic “Programs and Features”.
  • Interface: They have different user interfaces, with Settings being the modern Windows 11 style.

Managing Optional Features and Windows Features

Beyond uninstalling full applications, you might need to manage specific Windows components.

Optional Features (in Settings)

This is where you can add or remove standalone features that are not installed by default or manage features that were added later.

  1. Go to Settings > System > Optional features. (Note: In earlier Windows versions, this was under Apps).
  2. You can see installed optional features and uninstall them, or click “View features” next to “Add an optional feature” to install new ones (e.g., Windows Media Player, Internet Explorer mode, Math Recognizer).

Turn Windows features on or off (via Control Panel)

As mentioned, this is accessible from the classic “Programs and Features” window. It’s used for enabling or disabling more integral parts of the Windows operating system itself.

  1. Open “Programs and Features” (appwiz.cpl).
  2. In the left pane, click “Turn Windows features on or off“.
  3. Check or uncheck boxes for features like Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, .NET Framework components, etc. You may need to restart your PC for changes to take effect.

Conclusion

Understanding the different programs and features settings in Windows 11 allows you to effectively manage your installed software and system components. While the modern “Installed apps” section in Settings is the primary hub, the classic “Programs and Features” and options for managing Windows features are still accessible for comprehensive control over your Windows 11 environment.