Unable to install optional feature

Question

Hello, In our enterprise, we deploy windows updates through SCCM for our Windows 10 computers. It's working fine. To be able to install optionnal feature, we have a GPO that enable this parameter "Download repair content and optional features directly from windows update instead of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)". It's working fine but now, it's not working at all. I don't know how long it hasn't worked. I deploy a new VM in Windows 10 1903, it's working. I upgrade it to 20H2, it doesn't work ! We have the same problem with Windows 11 computers. Do you have an idea ? Many thanks. Have a nice day. Best regards

Answer 1

Hello,

For your information, with the last version of SCCM and this configuration

it's working for Windows 11, but not Windows 10.

Best regards

Answer 2

Hello, If you’re unable to install optional features on Windows 10 or 11, here are some steps you can try: Ensure Windows is Updated: Before you try anything else, make sure your system is up to date. You can do this by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and clicking on ‘Check for updates’. Use Windows Troubleshooter: Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can help resolve issues with installing optional features. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Update and run the troubleshooter. Check Internet Connection: Sometimes, your internet connection can cause issues with downloading and installing optional features. Make sure you’re connected to a stable network. Check if any error happened when install option feature. Reset Windows Update Components: Resetting the Windows Update components can often resolve issues with installing optional features. You can do this by stopping the Windows Update service, renaming the SoftwareDistribution folder, and then restarting the service. Best Regards, Hania Lian

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Answer 3

My SCCM environment has the same issue with installing Optional Features. I love your idea to modifying your policy to pull "Other Updates" from Windows Update instead of the local WSUS server, but I don't have access to make those changes for my domain.

Here's how I was able to modify individual machines, through the registry:
(use carefully and at your own risk)

#Create Windows Update Folder, necessary since 24H2:
New-Item -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows" -Name "WindowsUpdate"

#Modify Default Local Windows Update Policy to retrieve updates from Windows Update
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" -Name "SetPolicyDrivenUpdateSourceForQualityUpdates" -Value 0

#Install your desired optional feature, uncomment to use examples 
#--RSAT Components (like ADUC, GPMC and the BitLocker Key Recovery Tool)
#"ActiveDirectory","GroupPolicy","BitLocker" | % {Get-WindowsCapability -Name "RSAT*$_*" -Online | Add-WindowsCapability -Online}

#--or .Net 3.5:
#Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName "NetFx3"

#The Restore default value
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" -Name "SetPolicyDrivenUpdateSourceForQualityUpdates" -Value 1

Contributing Source --Note: this code requires an elevated powershell window.--

As you mention, Windows 10 v1903 had a "Download repair content and optional features directly from windows update instead of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)" setting in Local Group Policy, but since these entries are no longer present in recent versions, the above code should have the same effect.

Answer 4

To complete, in the CBS log and in the dism log, we see the error 0x800f0594 that tell us that it try to go on the WSUS even if the "Download repair content and optional features directly from windows update instead of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)" is enable.