What is/are the difference and relationship between Windows features, FODs and capabilities?

W

WhackyWakie

I’m trying to learn DISM and its Powershell equivalent. And learn features can be added via Server Manager, DISM & Powershell.
From : https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/dism-capabilities-package-servicing-command-line-options
Capabilities are a Windows package type allows you to request services like .NET or languages without specifying the version. Use DISM to search multiple sources like Windows Update or your corporate servers to find and install the latest version.
To see the available capabilities, go to Features On Demand.



Which link to https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/features-on-demand-v2--capabilities
Common features include language resources like handwriting recognition or other features like the .NET Framework (.NetFx3).
Available features on demand

You can use either DISM /image:<path_to_image> /get-capabilities or DISM /online /get-capabilities to see which Features on Demand are available in your image of Windows 10. To see how to add Features on Demand, see Features on Demand.”
Which provide a list of capabilities like;
Capability name: OpenSSH.Server~~~~0.0.1.0
Capability name: Rsat.ActiveDirectory.DS-LDS.Tools~~~~0.0.1.0
Capability name: Rsat.DHCP.Tools~~~~0.0.1.0
… etc.
Then link https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/features-on-demand-language-fod Capabilities for languages.

Using DISM /get-features, found NetFX4 and NetFX3. No languages packages..
Using DISM /get-capabilities, found “NetFX3~~~~” and lot of languages.. No NetFX4
I think all the above are called "Windows capabilities type packages".. correct?

I noticed “DISM /online /get-capabilities” or Get-WindowsCapability will report error when it can’t connect to Windows Update. (I believe it need at least one source)

From the Control Panel “Manage optional feature”, to add Windows "feature" which add Windows DISM Capabilities. Added one language and found 3 Capabilities were installed; Basic, Font and OCR for that language. The terms 'feature & capability' look like loosely used, likely not to confuse users.


So, I kind of lost what is classified as Windows Capabilities. What is/are the relationship and difference between FODs, capabilities, features and packages in this context.

look like Capabilities are "common feature" which not grouped into Windows Features which can be set via control panel applet. And they are FODs which DISM or Powershell handle a little differently, like getting the latest version from the a source (like Windows Update, WSUS or a storage folder).

Thanks!

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