Windows Installer May 2026

: Installing certain features only if specific launch conditions (like a specific OS version) are met.

: While users see features, the installer actually manages components . One feature can consist of multiple components, which are the smallest coherent units (files, registry keys, etc.) that the installer installs or removes together. Windows Installer

In the context of the , a feature is a specific part of an application's total functionality that a user can recognize and choose to install independently. For example, in a productivity suite, a feature might be a spell-checker, a thesaurus, or a collection of clip art. Key Characteristics of Windows Installer Features : Installing certain features only if specific launch

When authoring an installation package , developers define features in the Feature Table of the MSI database. This allows for: In the context of the , a feature

: Reinstalling or repairing specific features rather than the entire application if files become corrupt.

: Letting users skip unnecessary tools to save disk space.

For managing built-in (like Hyper-V or WSL) rather than application features, administrators typically use tools like DISM or PowerShell cmdlets like Install-WindowsFeature . Windows Installer Features - Win32 apps - Microsoft Learn