Windows 11 Optional features does not have Add

Henrythesecond · Sep 11, 2025

Hi @WindowsForum AI ,
The Bing AI instructions for adding a Feature, OpenSSH, says to use System-Optional Features and Add. But there isn't an add function that I can find.

WindowsForum AI · Sep 11, 2025

Thanks for the build details—that helps.
On Windows 11, Add-WindowsCapability can look “stuck” while it downloads from Windows Update. Don’t rely on Task Manager for progress. Do this:

Check if it’s already installed or pending

Run (non-admin is fine):
Get-WindowsCapability -Online -Name OpenSSH.Client* | ft Name,State
If State = Installed, you’re done: run ssh -V.
If State = InstallPending, just Restart Windows and test again.

If it shows NotPresent or the install appears hung

Cancel the current PowerShell with Ctrl+C, then Restart.
In an elevated terminal run (shows progress and fixes component store issues):
Code:
```
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
DISM /Online...
```

WindowsForum AI · Sep 11, 2025

Why you don’t see “Add”

That guidance is a bit out of date. In current Windows 11/10, the path is Settings > Apps > Optional features, and the old “Add” button is now labeled “View features.” If OpenSSH Client is already installed, you’ll only see it under Installed features (so no “Add”/“View features” prompt for it).

Add OpenSSH via Settings (GUI)

Open Settings > Apps > Optional features.
Click View features (under “Add an optional feature”).
Search for “OpenSSH” and check:
- OpenSSH Client (recommended)
- OpenSSH Server (only if you need to accept incoming SSH connections)
Click Next > Install, then wait a minute. Verify with: open Windows Terminal and run: ssh -V

If “View features” is missing/greyed out

The feature may already be installed: look under Installed features for “OpenSSH Client/Server.”
Device is managed by policy: you might see “Some settings are managed by your organization.” In that case, use PowerShell below or contact your admin.
No internet/source: Windows may need Windows Update or a local source to add capabilities.

Add via PowerShell (works on Home/Pro/Enterprise)

Run Windows Terminal (Admin) and execute:

Code:

# Client
Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name OpenSSH.Client~~~~0.0.1.0 # Server (optional)
Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name OpenSSH.Server~~~~0.0.1.0 # Start and enable SSH server (only if you installed Server)
Start-Service sshd
Set-Service -Name sshd -StartupType Automatic

Then test with:
ssh -V
What version of Windows are you running, and do you see “View features” on Settings > Apps > Optional features? If not, tell me exactly what you see on that page.

Henrythesecond · Sep 11, 2025

WindowsForum AI said:
Why you don’t see “Add”
That guidance is a bit out of date. In current Windows 11/10, the path is Settings > Apps > Optional features, and the old “Add” button is now labeled “View features.” If OpenSSH Client is already installed, you’ll only see it under Installed features (so no “Add”/“View features” prompt for it).

Add OpenSSH via Settings (GUI)

Open Settings > Apps > Optional features.

Click View features (under “Add an optional feature”).

Search for “OpenSSH” and check:

OpenSSH Client (recommended)

OpenSSH Server (only if you need to accept incoming SSH connections)

Click Next > Install, then wait a minute. Verify with: open Windows Terminal and run: ssh -V

If “View features” is missing/greyed out

The feature may already be installed: look under Installed features for “OpenSSH Client/Server.”

Device is managed by policy: you might see “Some settings are managed by your organization.” In that case, use PowerShell below or contact your admin.

No internet/source: Windows may need Windows Update or a local source to add capabilities.

Add via PowerShell (works on Home/Pro/Enterprise)
Run Windows Terminal (Admin) and execute:

Code:

# Client Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name OpenSSH.Client~~~~0.0.1.0 # Server (optional) Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name OpenSSH.Server~~~~0.0.1.0 # Start and enable SSH server (only if you installed Server) Start-Service sshd Set-Service -Name sshd -StartupType Automatic

Then test with:
ssh -V
What version of Windows are you running, and do you see “View features” on Settings > Apps > Optional features? If not, tell me exactly what you see on that page.

Just quickly in Apps there is no Optional Features listed.

WindowsForum AI · Sep 11, 2025

Let’s jump straight to it

If “Optional features” isn’t visible under Settings > Apps, try the direct link:

Press Win+R, paste: ms-settingsptionalfeatures, and press Enter.
On Windows 10, it may appear as a link inside “Apps & features” (top of the page) labeled “Optional features” or “Manage optional features.”

If that page won’t open or is hidden by policy, install OpenSSH without the GUI:

Open Windows Terminal (Admin) and run:
Code:
```
Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name OpenSSH.Client~~~~0.0.1.0
# (Optional server)
# Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name OpenSSH.Server~~~~0.0.1.0
```
Then verify with:
ssh -V
Tip: On most Windows 11 systems the OpenSSH Client is already present at C:\Windows\System32\OpenSSH\ssh.exe.

Can you confirm your exact Windows version (run winver) and whether ms-settings

ptionalfeatures opens for you? If it doesn’t, is this a work-managed PC that might hide Settings pages?

Henrythesecond · Sep 11, 2025

I started
Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name OpenSSH.Client~~~~0.0.1.0<br>
but it looks like it is stalled, I don't any movement in the Task Manager

Edition Windows 11 Home
Version 24H2
Installed on ‎19/‎03/‎2025
OS build 26100.6584
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.234.0

WindowsForum AI · Sep 11, 2025

Thanks for the build details—that helps.
On Windows 11, Add-WindowsCapability can look “stuck” while it downloads from Windows Update. Don’t rely on Task Manager for progress. Do this:

Check if it’s already installed or pending

Run (non-admin is fine):
Get-WindowsCapability -Online -Name OpenSSH.Client* | ft Name,State
If State = Installed, you’re done: run ssh -V.
If State = InstallPending, just Restart Windows and test again.

If it shows NotPresent or the install appears hung

Cancel the current PowerShell with Ctrl+C, then Restart.

In an elevated terminal run (shows progress and fixes component store issues):

Code:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:OpenSSH.Client~~~~0.0.1.0

Make sure required services are running:

Code:

Get-Service wuauserv,bits,TrustedInstaller | ft Name,Status
# If any are Stopped:
Start-Service wuauserv; Start-Service bits; Start-Service TrustedInstaller

Ensure the connection isn’t metered (metered can block capability downloads):
Settings > Network & internet > your network > turn off Metered connection.
Or check:
Get-NetConnectionProfile | ft Name,IsMetered

If it still won’t progress (no percentage after a few minutes)

Install from local media (no internet needed). Mount the Windows 11 24H2 “Features on Demand” ISO that matches your build 26100, note the drive letter (e.g., D, then:
DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:OpenSSH.Client~~~~0.0.1.0 /Source:D:\ /LimitAccess

Verify
Code:
```
where ssh
ssh -V
```
If it errors instead of hanging, please share the exact State from Get-WindowsCapability and any DISM error code/percent you see.

Henrythesecond · Sep 11, 2025

Ok that took a really long time. I was trying your other suggestions in another terminal, but then noticed some progress.
Path :
Online : True
RestartNeeded : False
OpenSSH_for_Windows_9.5p2, LibreSSL 3.8.2

Looks good, so how do I get the GUI?

WindowsForum AI · Sep 11, 2025

Do you want the Settings “Optional features” page or an SSH app UI?

You’ve got OpenSSH installed. There are two “GUIs” you might be after:
1) The Windows Optional features GUI (to view/remove OpenSSH)

Open it directly: press Win+R and run: ms-settingsptionalfeatures
Or go to Settings > Apps > Optional features > Installed features, then find “OpenSSH Client”.
If “Optional features” still doesn’t appear, check if a policy is hiding Settings pages:
- Run: reg query HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer /v SettingsPageVisibility
- If a value exists that hides optionalfeatures/apps, tell me what it shows and I’ll help clear it.

2) A GUI for using SSH (instead of the ssh command)

PuTTY (lightweight), MobaXterm (tabbed SSH + built‑in SFTP), Termius/Tabby (modern UI), or WinSCP for drag‑and‑drop SFTP.
You can also make a one‑click SSH profile in Windows Terminal:
- Windows Terminal > Settings (Ctrl+,) > Add new profile > Command line:
  C:\Windows\System32\OpenSSH\ssh.exe user@host -p 22
- Name it, pick an icon, Save. Now it opens directly into that SSH session.

Which of those are you looking for—the Settings page, or a GUI client for SSH?

Henrythesecond · Sep 11, 2025

Open it directly: press Win+R and run: ms-settingsptionalfeatures worked going to Viw features.
But OnenSSH Client checkbox is only for removing.

WindowsForum AI · Sep 11, 2025

That “remove” option means it’s already installed

What you’re seeing is expected. In Optional features:

“Installed features” shows OpenSSH Client with only one action: Uninstall (i.e., remove).
“View features” (Add an optional feature) only lists items not already installed, so OpenSSH Client won’t appear there once it’s installed.

What do you want to do next?

Reinstall the client via GUI:
1) Settings > Apps > Optional features > Installed features > OpenSSH Client > Uninstall.
2) Wait a minute, click View features, search “OpenSSH Client,” check it, Next > Install.
Add the server (if you need inbound SSH):
1) View features > search “OpenSSH Server” > Install.
2) Then enable the service: open Services (services.msc) > sshd > Start, and set Startup type to Automatic.
Use a GUI for SSH sessions (instead of the ssh command): install PuTTY, MobaXterm, or create a profile in Windows Terminal pointing to C:\Windows\System32\OpenSSH\ssh.exe user@host.

If you tell me whether you want to reinstall, add the server, or use a GUI client, I’ll give exact steps for that path.

Henrythesecond · Sep 11, 2025

So it looks like ssh is available:
PS C:\Users\henle> ssh -V
OpenSSH_for_Windows_9.5p2, LibreSSL 3.8.2

But it is still not accepting my password.

WindowsForum AI · Sep 11, 2025

Got it—SSH works. If you’re seeing a password prompt, that’s controlled by the server you’re connecting to. You have two options:

Client-only (just for your sessions): Refuse password from the client so it will only try keys.
- One time: ssh -o PasswordAuthentication=no user@host
- Permanent for a host: create %USERPROFILE%.ssh\config with:
  Host myserver
  HostName host.example.com
  User youruser
  PasswordAuthentication no
Server-side (actually disable password logins for everyone):
- If the server is THIS Windows PC (OpenSSH Server installed):
  1) Put your public key in C:\Users\YourUser.ssh\authorized_keys (create the .ssh folder if needed).
  Permissions (important):
  PowerShell (Admin):
  icacls "$env:USERPROFILE.ssh" /inheritance:r
  icacls "$env:USERPROFILE.ssh" /grant "$env:USERNAMEF)"
  icacls "$env:USERPROFILE.ssh\authorized_keys" /inheritance:r
  icacls "$env:USERPROFILE.ssh\authorized_keys" /grant "$env:USERNAMEF)"
  2) Edit C:\ProgramData\ssh\sshd_config (run Notepad as admin) and set:
  PubkeyAuthentication yes
  PasswordAuthentication no
  KbdInteractiveAuthentication no
  
  Optional: require keys only
  AuthenticationMethods publickey
  3) Restart the service:
  Restart-Service sshd
  4) Test from another window before closing your current session:
  ssh -o PasswordAuthentication=no -v youruser@localhost
- If the server is Linux/Unix: edit /etc/ssh/sshd_config with the same lines (PasswordAuthentication no, PubkeyAuthentication yes, optionally KbdInteractiveAuthentication no / AuthenticationMethods publickey), then sudo systemctl restart sshd and test.

Quick question to confirm: are you connecting to a remote server, or is your Windows 11 PC running OpenSSH Server and you want to lock it down?

Windows 11 Optional features does not have Add

New Member

AI

Why you don’t see “Add”​

Add OpenSSH via Settings (GUI)​

If “View features” is missing/greyed out​

Add via PowerShell (works on Home/Pro/Enterprise)​

New Member

Why you don’t see “Add”​

Add OpenSSH via Settings (GUI)​

If “View features” is missing/greyed out​

Add via PowerShell (works on Home/Pro/Enterprise)​

AI

Let’s jump straight to it​

New Member

AI

New Member

AI

Do you want the Settings “Optional features” page or an SSH app UI?​

New Member

AI

That “remove” option means it’s already installed​

What do you want to do next?​

New Member

AI

Optional: require keys only​

Update details

Why you don’t see “Add”

Add OpenSSH via Settings (GUI)

If “View features” is missing/greyed out

Add via PowerShell (works on Home/Pro/Enterprise)

Why you don’t see “Add”

Add OpenSSH via Settings (GUI)

If “View features” is missing/greyed out

Add via PowerShell (works on Home/Pro/Enterprise)

Let’s jump straight to it

Do you want the Settings “Optional features” page or an SSH app UI?

That “remove” option means it’s already installed

What do you want to do next?

Optional: require keys only