Solved Why is openssh an optional feature and takes ages to install (add optional feature)


jimbo45

jimbo45

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Hi folks

many people want to simply ssh into windows from remote clients -- but this needs openssh to be up and running on the target machine. It can be added via add optional feature but that takes ages (goodness knows why) and you have to enable the openssh server to start automatically in services after installing the feature.

On a fast machine it's taken 9 minutes to get to this point -- nothing else running !!!!

Skjámynd 2025-06-21 114220.webp

What's even more bonkers it's the sme problem with Windows 2025 LTSC server -- you'd think a server should surely have this enabled in its core features !!!.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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Why the delay? OpenSSH is an optional FOD package which isn't integrated in the install image. If it was already on-disk, DISM /Add-Capability would only take a minute or two. MS could bundle OpenSSH, but half of you folks would loudly complain Windows is too bloated.

Downloading the 2-3 MB OpenSSH feature doesn't take that long. But since it's not an on-disk feature, Windows has to first install the package and re-apply the current Monthly Update on top of it (in case the same feature was patched by the CU). This takes the bulk of your time waiting.

The Windows servicing model always delivers the same base FOD package, you can't get a Dec 2024 or May 2025 updated version. So the CU must always be checked and applied over it to bring the FOD up to date. Not to mention any installed Language Packs. That's why you're sitting there for 10 min. to install a 2-3 MB feature.

PS - 24H2 CU does patch the OpenSSH files...
 

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Wow, I would have never guessed that. Fantastic info, garlin.
 

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Same reason Language Packs take forever to install on a live system. Windows Settings is secretly re-applying the CU, because patches have to be applied in order (base package first, update last). Otherwise you will have an inconsistent install image.

When you do DISM updates to an offline image, doing it in the correct order is YOUR PROBLEM. And a common mistake is to apply LP's after the CU. Otherwise you get the common problem of "I get the wrong translations".
 

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I'm guessing it must be the same for the old .NET. Two days I installed it on an old machine that needs it for its hotkey utility. It took about 15 minutes to install.
 

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    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime Z590-A MB
    Memory
    64GB (Waiting for warranty replacement of another 64GB for 128GB total)
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP Envy 32
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1 x 1TB NVMe SSD
    1 x 2TB NVMe SSD
    1 x 4TB NVMe SSD
    3 x 512GB 2.5" SSD
    1 x 4TB 2.5" SSD
    5 x 8TB Seagate Barracuda HDD
    PSU
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    Case
    Corsair iCUE RGB 5000X mid tower case
    Cooling
    Noctua NF-S12A chromax.black.swap case fans (Qty. 7) & Home Computer Specifications, Configuration, and Usage Notes General Specifications ASUS Prime Z590-A motherboard, serial number M1M0KC222467ARP Intel Core i7-11700K CPU (11th Gen Rocket Lake / LGA 1200 Socket) 128GB Crucial Ballistix RGB DDR4 3200 MHz DRAM (4 x 32GB) Corsair iCUE RGB 5000X mid tower case Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black CPU cooler Noctua NF-S12A chromax.black.swap case fans (Qty. 7) & Corsair LL-120 RGB Fans (Qty. 3)
    Keyboard
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    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
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    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    The five 8TB drives and three 512GB SSDs are part of a DrivePool using StableBit DrivePool software. The three SSDs are devoted purely to caching for the 8TB drives. All of the important data is stored in triplicate so that I can withstand simultaneous failure of 2 disks.

    Networking: 2.5Gbps Ethernet and WiFi 6e
  • Operating System
    Win11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
garlin said:
Why the delay? OpenSSH is an optional FOD package which isn't integrated in the install image. If it was already on-disk, DISM /Add-Capability would only take a minute or two. MS could bundle OpenSSH, but half of you folks would loudly complain Windows is too bloated.

Downloading the 2-3 MB OpenSSH feature doesn't take that long. But since it's not an on-disk feature, Windows has to first install the package and re-apply the current Monthly Update on top of it (in case the same feature was patched by the CU). This takes the bulk of your time waiting.

The Windows servicing model always delivers the same base FOD package, you can't get a Dec 2024 or May 2025 updated version. So the CU must always be checked and applied over it to bring the FOD up to date. Not to mention any installed Language Packs. That's why you're sitting there for 10 min. to install a 2-3 MB feature.

PS - 24H2 CU does patch the OpenSSH files...
Click to expand...
Thanks -- it's great to get info --- intuitively you can see why a small package makes one wonder why it takes that long to install it. The same thing happens if you add things like the extra pan european fonts / chinese / hebrew etc.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

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  • OS
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    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
    Screen Resolution
    4KUHD X 2
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