[Azure] Installing windows feature on Windows Server 2025 takes longer time

Question

[Azure] Installing windows feature on Windows Server 2025 takes longer time

Rushikesh Gaidhani 161

Hello,

I am trying to install Windows features on a Azure VM with a Windows 2025 Datacenter Azure marketplace image. The install of the feature takes longer time than compare to the previous Windows 2022 Datacenter Azure marketplace image (Please note that I've not made any modifications to the image).

Has there been a change in the new Windows 2025 Datacenter Azure image that could be causing this delay?

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Vamsi Ram Annepu 640 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-04-29T01:18:13.84+00:00

Hi Rushikesh Gaidhani,
As Windows 2025 Datacenter Azure marketplace image has high size, newer version and due to some internet connectivity issue the installation of the feature might have taken longer time than compared to the previous Windows 2022 Datacenter Azure marketplace image.
To verify this you can also check "Activity Logs" and "Windows Update Logs".

Feel free to reach out if you have any further queries.
If you found the information useful, please click "Upvote" on the post to let us know.
Rushikesh Gaidhani 161 Reputation points

2025-04-29T02:25:39.0066667+00:00

Hello Vamsi Ram Annepu, I hit the same issue every time I try to install a feature on multiple instances with 2025 image. I don't think it is some internet connectivity issue.
Mounika Reddy Anumandla 4,385 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-04-30T05:12:48.7466667+00:00

Hi Rushikesh Gaidhani,

Similar issue is reported here https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/issues/24500 and one user confirmed that he could solve the problem by using this PowerShell command as administrator, it will take a while again: Remove-WindowsFeature -Name WindowsAdminCenterSetup

This will remove the Windows Admin Center setup, which is not required on most systems. After removal, the Get-WindowsFeature works normally again!

Hope this helps!

Let me know if you have any further queries!
Rushikesh Gaidhani 161 Reputation points

2025-04-30T14:47:09.89+00:00

Hello Mounika Reddy Anumandla, Removing the AdminCenterSetup still doesn't help, it still takes the same amount of time.
Vamsi Ram Annepu 640 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-05-03T12:51:12.23+00:00

Hi Rushikesh Gaidhani,
Could you share the RAM, Hard drive space of the VM, logical processors on the device (CTRL+SHIFT+ESC > Performance tab > number of logical processors).
Wagner Silva 0 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2025-05-03T13:50:31.41+00:00
The error 0x80073701 (ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING) indicates that a referenced assembly is missing, commonly due to corrupted or incomplete system components. This often happens when installing features like IIS on Windows Server in Azure.

Recommended Troubleshooting Steps:

1. Run System File Checker and DISM

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run the following:

sfc /scannow

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

These commands will scan for and fix corrupted system files.

2. Check for Pending Updates

Run:

dism /online /get-packages /format:table | findstr Pending

If there are pending updates, restart the server.

If issues persist, you can rename C:\Windows\WinSxS\Pending.xml to Pending.xml.old and restart.

3. Review CBS.log for Details

Examine the log at C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log for related error entries like:

ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING

Failed to pin deployment

Identify the missing KB or package and manually install it using:

DISM /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:C:\Path\To\KBxxxxxx.cab

4. Check Language Packs

Make sure the system language matches the installed language packs. Mismatches can cause feature installation issues.

5. In-place Upgrade (if needed)

As a last resort, perform an in-place upgrade by:

Mounting the correct Windows Server ISO

Running setup.exe

Choosing the option to keep files and applications This can repair the system without data loss.

6. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Go to:

Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Update

Run the troubleshooter to fix update-related problems.

If the issue persists, consider deploying a new Azure VM with the required features and migrating workloads if feasible.

1 answer

Your answer

Vamsi Ram Annepu 640 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-04-29T01:18:13.84+00:00

Hi Rushikesh Gaidhani,
As Windows 2025 Datacenter Azure marketplace image has high size, newer version and due to some internet connectivity issue the installation of the feature might have taken longer time than compared to the previous Windows 2022 Datacenter Azure marketplace image.
To verify this you can also check "Activity Logs" and "Windows Update Logs".

Feel free to reach out if you have any further queries.
If you found the information useful, please click "Upvote" on the post to let us know.
Rushikesh Gaidhani 161 Reputation points

2025-04-29T02:25:39.0066667+00:00

Hello Vamsi Ram Annepu, I hit the same issue every time I try to install a feature on multiple instances with 2025 image. I don't think it is some internet connectivity issue.
Mounika Reddy Anumandla 4,385 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-04-30T05:12:48.7466667+00:00

Hi Rushikesh Gaidhani,

Similar issue is reported here https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/issues/24500 and one user confirmed that he could solve the problem by using this PowerShell command as administrator, it will take a while again: Remove-WindowsFeature -Name WindowsAdminCenterSetup

This will remove the Windows Admin Center setup, which is not required on most systems. After removal, the Get-WindowsFeature works normally again!

Hope this helps!

Let me know if you have any further queries!
Rushikesh Gaidhani 161 Reputation points

2025-04-30T14:47:09.89+00:00

Hello Mounika Reddy Anumandla, Removing the AdminCenterSetup still doesn't help, it still takes the same amount of time.
Vamsi Ram Annepu 640 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-05-03T12:51:12.23+00:00

Hi Rushikesh Gaidhani,
Could you share the RAM, Hard drive space of the VM, logical processors on the device (CTRL+SHIFT+ESC > Performance tab > number of logical processors).
Wagner Silva 0 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2025-05-03T13:50:31.41+00:00

The error 0x80073701 (ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING) indicates that a referenced assembly is missing, commonly due to corrupted or incomplete system components. This often happens when installing features like IIS on Windows Server in Azure.

Recommended Troubleshooting Steps:

1. Run System File Checker and DISM

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run the following:

sfc /scannow

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

These commands will scan for and fix corrupted system files.

2. Check for Pending Updates

Run:

dism /online /get-packages /format:table | findstr Pending

If there are pending updates, restart the server.

If issues persist, you can rename C:\Windows\WinSxS\Pending.xml to Pending.xml.old and restart.

3. Review CBS.log for Details

Examine the log at C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log for related error entries like:

ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING

Failed to pin deployment

Identify the missing KB or package and manually install it using:

DISM /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:C:\Path\To\KBxxxxxx.cab

4. Check Language Packs

Make sure the system language matches the installed language packs. Mismatches can cause feature installation issues.

5. In-place Upgrade (if needed)

As a last resort, perform an in-place upgrade by:

Mounting the correct Windows Server ISO

Running setup.exe

Choosing the option to keep files and applications This can repair the system without data loss.

6. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Go to:

Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Update

Run the troubleshooter to fix update-related problems.

If the issue persists, consider deploying a new Azure VM with the required features and migrating workloads if feasible.

Answer 1

Hi,

1. Repair the System Image with DISM

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run the following commands:

dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

These commands check and fix the integrity of system files. After completion, restart the server and try to install the feature again.

2. Run the System File Checker (SFC)

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

sfc /scannow

This command checks and repairs corrupted system files. After completion, restart the server and try to install the feature again.

3. Check and Fix Language Packs

If the server was installed with an incorrect language pack or if there are additional installed language packs, this may cause issues with installing features. Run the following command to check and remove unwanted language packs:

lpksetup /u <Package_ID>

Replace <Package_ID> with the identifier of the language pack you want to remove. After removal, restart the server and try to install the feature again.

4. Install Pending Updates

Check for pending updates in Windows Update and install them. Some updates may fix issues related to feature installation. After installing updates, restart the server and try installing the feature again.

5. Perform a Repair Installation

If the above solutions don’t resolve the issue, consider performing a repair installation of Windows Server. To do this, mount the Windows Server 2019 installation media with the correct language pack and run setup.exe as administrator. Choose the option to keep existing files and applications. This operation reinstalls the operating system without affecting existing data.

f the problem persists after trying these solutions, it is recommended to contact Microsoft support for further assistance.

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[Azure] Installing windows feature on Windows Server 2025 takes longer time

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