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
: Developers can author packages that allow features to be "advertised" but not fully installed until the user attempts to use them for the first time. Common Use Cases for Developers Windows Installer
: 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. For managing built-in (like Hyper-V or WSL) rather
: Installing certain features only if specific launch conditions (like a specific OS version) are met. One feature can consist of multiple components, which
: Features are designed from the user's perspective. Users can select which features they want to install via the installer's SelectionTree Control .