When authoring an installation package , developers define features in the Feature Table of the MSI database. This allows for:
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
: Features can have a parent-child relationship. If a child feature is selected for installation, its parent feature is automatically included. Windows Installer
: Features are designed from the user's perspective. Users can select which features they want to install via the installer's SelectionTree Control .
: 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. When authoring an installation package , developers define
: Letting users skip unnecessary tools to save disk space.
: 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 If a child feature is selected for installation,
: Reinstalling or repairing specific features rather than the entire application if files become corrupt.