Contents:
Turn Windows Features on or off Blank Overview
Why is Windows Features Box Empty?
How Do I Fix Windows Features on or off Blank?
Turn Windows Features on or off Blank Overview:
As users reported, upon going to Control Panel > Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or off, after seconds, you just find this Windows Features window presents an empty dialog box. Or some of you get stuck at Windows 10 turn features on or off please wait.
Normally, in this dialog, you are able to enable or disable some optional features as below like .Net Framework service, Hyper-V, Media Features, Internet Information Services (IIS), Microsoft Paint to PDF, etc. Now you can only see a blank or empty dialog.
In order to recover the black Windows features, there is much need for you to move on.
Why is Windows Features Box Empty?
Like what has been discussed before, these features are optional features for games, Internet Explorer service, Internet Information Services (IIS), and some system components, which entails certain Windows-based files.
Based on this fact, while turn on or off Windows features is black or doesn’t appear at all, it implies that some files on your PC may be corrupted or missing. Here with deep research, this blank Windows feature is caused by the corruption in the file in C:\Windows\Servicing\Packages. Or some related service and Windows update are also to blame, such as Windows Module Installer.
How Do I Fix Windows Features on or off Blank?
You need to troubleshoot this problem from different perspectives. Here follow the ways below one by one until turn on or off Windows features list loads and comes up on Windows 10, 8, 7.
Solutions:
1: Fix Turn Windows Features on or off dialog Blank or Empty Automatically
2: Run System File Checker and DISM
3: Delete StoreDirty Value
4: Change Windows Module Installer Service Settings
5: Create a New User Account
6: Use System Update Readiness Tool
Solution 1: Fix Turn Windows Features on or off dialog Blank or Empty Automatically
First off, to save your time, it is worth a shot to use the professional and reliable tool – Advanced System Care to fix Windows features not working automatically. It has been proved useful to take advantage of ASC to resolve Windows Features on or off blank error.
1. Download, install and run Advanced SystemCare.
2. Under Toolbox, and then hit WinFix. ASC will immediately install this toolbox for you automatically.
3. In IObit Win Fix, locate Advanced Fix > Security > Fix ‘Turn Windows Features on or off’ dialog box is blank or empty > Fix.
Upon Advanced SystemCare finished its fixing, check if Windows Feature list will appear now.
Solution 2: Run System File Checker and DISM
Or, you can also make use of the system embedded tools to detect what files are corrupted, causing Windows features not to turn on or off.
Perform SFC:
Use System File Checker to figure out and then fix problematic files.
1. Search Command Prompt in the search box and then right click the result to Run as administrator.
2. In CMD Command-line, input sfc/scannow and then hit Enter to run SFC.
If needed, restart your PC and you can see Windows 10 has corrected the corrupted files. After that, try to turn on or off Windows features to see if it loads properly.
Run DISM:
You can also use Deployment Imaging Servicing Management to repair the erroneous Windows images, which is rather foolproof and useful in dealing with this issue.
In Command Prompt with administrative privileges, run the commands below one by one.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Whatever error it detects out, manage to fix it as soon as possible. You will notice turn on Windows feature on or off gone has been recovered.
Solution 3: Delete StoreDirty Value
Especially for users who hit upon turn on or off Windows features blank on Windows 8, you would better get rid of this StoreDirty value. This registry value may be the culprit for your missing Windows feature list.
In Command Prompt with an administrator account, copy and paste the following command and then press the Enter key to remove the problematic StoreDirty value.
reg delete HKLM\COMPONENTS /v StoreDirty
You can restart your PC to take effect if possible. After logging on again, go to control panel to turn Windows features on or off. This time you may find the Windows Feature window elevated and all the optional features are showing up.
Solution 4: Change Windows Module Installer Service Settings
This Windows Module installer is in charge of enabling the installation, modification, and removal of Windows updates and optional components. Therefore, if you carelessly disabled this service, it is likely that turn Windows features on or off is blank on Windows 7, 8, and 10. You need to start it automatically.
1. Type in Services in the search box and then hit Enter.
2. In Services, scroll down to find out Windows Module Installer and right click it to open its Properties.
3. Under Startup type, set Windows Module Installer startup type as Automatic and Service status Start.
4. Click Apply and OK to save changes.
With this critical service enabled, there is a high probability that Windows 10 optional features blank won’t come to you.
Solution 5: Create a New User Account
In case any account corruption resulting in turn Windows features on or off not loading on Windows 10, 8, 7, you are supposed to create a new user account and then sign in again.
For some clients, the new account will not bring forth optional features empty to your PC.
Solution 6: Use System Update Readiness Tool
For some users, perhaps SFC failed to fix the file issue so as to make the Windows feature not load so far. Here the System Update Readiness Tool from Microsoft may be helpful as it will regain the corrupted file in C:\Windows\Servicing\Packages.
1. Navigate to Microsoft Support.
2. Scroll down to Download the right System Update Readiness Tool fit for your system like Windows 7 32 bit.
3. Hit Open or Run to directly install this Microsoft tool.
4. In the popup of Windows Update Standalone Installer, hit Yes.
5. Then this tool will Download and Install Updates with the files necessary for optional features.
Open Windows Features window and check if Turn on or off Windows features will load correctly.
All in all, all the solutions in this post are powerful in fixing turn Windows features on or off blank or empty on Windows 7, 8, 10. Be patient to deal with Windows features gone effectively.
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If you are trying to enable or disable the optional features that come with Windows, through the «Turn Windows features on or off» option in Programs and Features in Control Panel and the Windows Features list «box» is empty (blank) then you are in the right place to fix this problem.
Windows comes with a set of additional features that you can enable or disable, if you want (or not) to use them. Some of these optional features, like the Hyper-V or the Internet Information Services is designed to be used in business networks and some other is designed for every user, such as the Windows Media Player application or the Games. But, in several cases the Windows features list, is not displayed on the screen (features list box is empty).
In this tutorial you ‘ll find detailed instructions on how to resolve the Windows Features box is Empty issue (Windows 10, 8, 7 or Vista)
How to FIX: «Windows Features List box is Blank (Empty)» issue on Windows 10, 8, 7 or Vista.
Method 1. Make sure that the Windows Modules Installer Service is running.
1. Press Windows + R keys to open the run command box.
2. Type: services.msc and press Enter.
- (Accept the UAC warning if appears).
3. In Services control panel double click to open the Windows Modules Installer service’s properties.
4. Change the Startup Type to Automatic and click OK.
5. Restart your computer.
Method 2. Scan and Repair Windows System Files.
Use the SFC command, to repair Windows System files.
1. Open an elevated command prompt. (with administrative privileges)
2. In the command prompt window, type sfc /scannow and press Enter:
3. Now wait until the System File Checker repairs the Windows System Files.
4. When this done, restart your computer.
Method 3. FIX the Windows Features list blank problem with the System Update Readiness (DISM) tool.
The last method to fix the Windows Features «empty box», is to repair corruptions that can happen, during Windows updates.
1. Run the System Update Readiness tool (DISM) according to your Windows version.
For Windows 10 or Windows 8:
- Open an command prompt as Administrator.
- Type DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth and press Enter
For Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008.
- Download the System Update Readiness tool, according your Windows Version.
- Install the System Update Readiness tool.
2. When the operation is completed, restart your computer and then launch the Windows Features to see if the problem persists.
That’s all folks! Did it work for you?
Please leave a comment in the comment section below or even better: like and share this blog post in the social networks to help spread the word about this solution.
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Konstantinos is the founder and administrator of Repairwin.com. Since 1995 he works and provides IT support as a computer and network expert to individuals and large companies. He is specialized in solving problems related to Windows or other Microsoft products (Windows Server, Office, Microsoft 365, etc.).
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Problem description: Windows Features list is blank (empty) – «Turn Windows features on or off» items list is not displayed – in Windows 10 or Windows 8 OS.
The «Turn Windows features on or off» setting(s), in Control Panel, gives the user the ability to turn on or off, some additional Windows features, that cannot be installed or removed through «Programs and Features».
In «Windows features» list, the user can enable or disable some optional Windows components that are may useful to everyone (such as the «Microsoft Print to PDF», «the Windows Media Player», etc) or some other services that are needed by business networks such as the «Internet Information Services» (IIS), the «Services for NFS», the «Telnet Client», etc..
The «Turn Windows features on or off» blank list issue may happen on a Windows 10, 8.1 or 8 based computer, after the installation of a Windows update or a program or due to system’s file corruption.
If the «Turn Windows features on or off» list is empty (blank) then follow the methods below to fix the issue.
How to fix «Windows Features» list is blank (empty) on Windows 10, 8.1 & 8.
Method 1. Set the Windows Modules Installer Service to Auto.
Method 2. Use System File Checker to repair damaged Windows files.
Method 3: Fix Windows Corruptions using DISM.
Method 4. Perform a Windows 10 Repair Install.
Method 1. Set the Windows Modules Installer Service to Auto.
1. Simultaneously press the Windows + R keys to open run command box.
2. In run command box, type: services.msc and press Enter.
3. In the list of services double click at «Windows Modules Installer» service.
![image_thumb[5]](https://www.wintips.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/image_thumb5_thumb.png "image_thumb[5]")
4.Set the startup type to Auto and click OK
5. Restart your computer.
6. After the restart, check if the «Turn Windows Features on or off» displays all features.
Method 2. Use System File Checker to repair damaged Windows files.
Step 1. Boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode
1. Press Windows + R keys on your keyboard to load the Run dialog box.
2. Type msconfig and press Enter.
3a. Click the Boot tab and then check the Safe Boot option.
3b. Click OK and restart your computer.
Note: In order to boot Windows in “Normal Mode” again, you have to uncheck the “Safe Boot” option by using the same procedure.
Step 2. Scan and Repair System Files using SFC /SCANNOW.
Run the System File Checker (SFC) tool to fix Windows’ corrupted files and services. To do that:
1. Open an elevated command prompt window: Right click at Windows icon (Start button) and select Command Prompt (Admin)
2. In the command window, type the following command and press Enter.
- SFC /SCANNOW
3. Wait and do not use your computer until SFC tool checks and fixes the corrupted system files or services.
4. When SFC tool finishes, reboot your computer and check if «Windows Features» are displayed.
Method 3: Fix Windows Corruptions using DISM.
The next method to fix «Turn Windows Features on or off» blank issue is to use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool to fix Windows Corruptions.
1. Right click at Windows start button and select Command Prompt (Admin).
2. At the command prompt window, type the following command & press Enter:
- Dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth
3. Be patient until DISM repairs component store.
4. When the operation is completed, you should be informed that the component store corruption was repaired.
5. Close command prompt window and restart your computer.
6. After the restart, check if the «Turn Windows Features on or off» list is still blank (empty).
Method 4. Perform a Windows 10 Repair Install.
The last method to fix the «Turn Windows Features on or off» blank issue, is to perform a repair installation of Windows 10. Detailed instructions on how you can do that, can be found on this article: How to repair Windows 10 with in-place upgrade.
That’s it! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
If this article was useful for you, please consider supporting us by making a donation. Even $1 can a make a huge difference for us in our effort to continue to help others while keeping this site free:
- Author
- Recent Posts
Konstantinos is the founder and administrator of Wintips.org. Since 1995 he works and provides IT support as a computer and network expert to individuals and large companies. He is specialized in solving problems related to Windows or other Microsoft products (Windows Server, Office, Microsoft 365, etc.).
Problem:
I am finding Windows Optional feature is empty.
Resolution:
- You may try a System Restore. Select any earlier restore point when there was no such issue.
- Open Command Prompt as Admin and type the following command followed by hitting the Enter key:
sfc /scannow
Again open Command Prompt as Admin and type the following command followed by hitting the Enter key:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Open the Run menu by using Win + R keys.
- Type services.msc and press Enter.
- Locate the service named Windows Modules Installer.
- Right-click on it and select Restart.
If your Windows version has Group Policy:
- In Run menu type gpedit.msc. Press Enter.
- Go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Programs.
- Look for a policy named Hide “Windows Features”.
- If the policy is set to Enabled, double-click it and select Disabled. Click Apply and OK.
- Restart your computer.
If you try to access the Windows Features or the Turn Windows Features On or Off, though, the Control Panel or by simply typing optionalfeatures.exe in your start search box, the following dialogue box is expected to open. But if the Turn Windows Features on or off feature is not working, or if optionalfeatures.exe is blank or empty in Windows 11/10, this post will help you troubleshoot the issue.
Windows throws up funny errors sometimes. You click open Control Panel, click open Program & Features, and go on to turn Windows features on or off. While on a normal day, you will see options to turn on or off, Windows features like Hyper-V, IIS, Media features, .NET Framework, etc, I am sure you will be surprised if you were to find the window blank or empty!
While this could happen on very rare occasions, you should know how to fix it if you or your friend’s computer were to ever face this problem.
We have seen what to do if the Windows Update page is blank or the Control Panel is blank. In this post, let’s see the potential solutions to this problem.
The Windows Features or the Turn Windows Features On or Off box of the Control panel, lets you turn off or turn on several features of the Windows operating system. Turning off a feature does not uninstall the feature – nor does it free up disk space. It only disables the feature.
If the Turn Windows Features on or off feature is not working, or it is blank or empty in Windows 11/10, these suggestions are sure to help you resolve the issue:
- Run System Restore
- Run System File Checker
- Create a new administrator account
- Check Windows Modules Installer Service status
- Delete this Registry key
- Run DISM
Let us see these in detail.
1] Run System Restore
See if a System Restore helps you. Going back to a prior good point is the easiest way.
2] Run System File Checker
Run sfc /scannow or System File Checker to replace corrupted Windows 11/10 system files.
3] Create a new administrator account
Create a new administrator account and see if it resolves the issue.
4] Check Windows Modules Installer Service status
Make sure the Windows Modules Installer service Startup status is set to Automatic and it is currently running. To do this, type services.msc in Run box and hit Enter to open the Services Manager. Look for Windows Modules Installer and check its status. Double-click on it to change its Properties if required. This Windows Service enables installation, modification, and removal of Windows updates and optional components. If this service is disabled, install or uninstall of Windows updates might fail for this computer.
Related: Turn Windows features on or off stuck on Please wait
5] Delete this Registry key
Open an elevated command prompt, type the following and hit Enter:
reg delete HKLM\COMPONENTS /v StoreDirty
But this may or may not work for all.
6] Run DISM
If this Turn Windows Features On or Off box appears completely blank, it is quite possible that the Component Store that contains information about Windows components has been corrupted – so see if fixing this corruption helps you.
While one can use the CheckSUR tool to resolve this issue, in earlier Windows versions, you now have to use the DISM Tool in Windows 11/10.
To repair the Component Store corruption open an elevated command prompt and run the following command, and restart your computer:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
If things work for you, you will be able to see the Turn Windows features on or off populated with the options.
If nothing helps, you may have to Repair Install Windows 7 or Refresh Windows 8 or use the Refresh Tool for Windows 10.
Hope something helps!
Why can’t I turn on Windows Features?
You will be unable to turn on Windows Features if the Windows Modules Installer service is disabled. So make sure the Windows Modules Installer service Startup status is set to Automatic and it is currently running.
Why is Turn Windows features on or off blank?
If the optionalfeatures.exe file has become corrupted, then Turn Windows features on or off can be blank or empty. Follow the instructions in this post to resolve the issue.