How To Install Active Directory Users And Computers On Windows 7/8/10

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Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) is a tool or can be called a Microsoft Management Console snap-in which helps in managing the Active Directory by creating objects, moving objects between OUs, and deleting objects.

It lets you take control of objects like users and computers, Organisational Units (OU), and attributes of each. You can use it only to move objects within a domain and not to other domains.

ADUC is the only tool that lets you move accounts using a GUI. It was introduced first in Windows Server 2000 as the basic Active Directory Management Tool.

Install Active Directory on Windows 7 – Step-by-Step

Active Directory Tools are not available by default in Windows OS. Thus, you need to install it by manually downloading the updated package on the official Microsoft site. 

Steps to Install Active Directory Users and Computers tool on Windows 7

Install and add active directory users and computer tools on windows 7 by following these steps:

Step 1: Go to the official link of Microsoft – https://www.microsoft.com/en-AU/download/details.aspx?id=7887.

Step 2: Click the “Download” button under the “Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 (SP10). 

Step 3: You should know your system type for this step. If you don’t know, then go to Start -> right-click “Computer” tab and then click on “Properties” to find out your system type. Then decide which package to download, x64 (64 bit) or x86 (32 bit).

Step 4: Choose the suitable directory package and click the “Next” button. 

Step 5: It will get downloaded, and after that run the setup that is installed. 

Step 6: Click ‘Yes’ when it asks Are you sure you want to download the package.

Step 7: Click on “I Accept” on the terms and conditions. 

Step 8: Press the “Close” button after complete installation.

Step 9: Turn ON the Features by going to Control Panel -> Programs and Features -> Adjust Computer Settings.

Step 10: Under Windows Features popup, find “Remote Server Administration Tools” and expand it.

Step 11: Go to Role Administration Tools -> AD DS and AD LDS Tools -> AD DS Tools. 

Enable Active Directory Administrative Center

Step 12: Click on the Active Directory Administrative Center

Step 13: Finally, click OK and the system will save your changes.

Step 14: Restart your Windows 7 system again. 

Install RSAT Active Directory Tools on Windows 10/8 1809

In case your system is Windows 10 1809 or higher, RSAT is not supported by the Microsoft installer, because it is already present there. To install RSAT active directory on windows 10 or 8 you simply have to turn on the RSAT Active Directory Tools.

Steps To Install RSAT Active Directory Windows 10

Here are the detailed steps that you can follow to enable RSAT Directory Tools on Windows 10:  

Step 1: Go to the Start Menu in Windows 10 system.

Step 2: Choose “Settings -> apps -> manage optional features -> Add feature.”

Windows 10 Settings then Apps

Windows 10 Apps then optional features

Windows 10 optional features then add feature

Step 3: Look for the option “RSAT: Active Directory Domain Services and Lightweight Directory Tools.”

RSAT- Active Directory Domain Services

Step 4: “Install” it and sometimes this new feature will get updated.

RSAT- Active Directory Domain Services Installing

Step 5: After some time, it will appear on the Start -> Windows Administrative Tools.”

windows administrative tools

Active Directory Users and Computer Tools on Windows 10 / 8 1803 or Earlier Version

Windows 10/8 systems do not support this feature and thus require downloading and installing the Active Directory users and computers tool. Only Windows 10 Professional and Enterprise systems are allowed for Active Directory installation. 

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Install Active Directory Users and Computers Windows 10 – Step-by-Step

Follow steps to install the active directory users and computer tools on windows 10/8 or any earlier version.

Step 1: Go to the official Microsoft link page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=45520 and click on “Download” under “Remote Server Administration Tools” for Windows 10. 

Step 2: Check the system type (32bit/ 64bit) and then tick on the suitable package.

Step 3: On clicking Next, the download will start. 

Step 4: Find the active directory download folder and run the setup.

Step 5: Click “Yes” when it prompts for confirmation of “windows update standalone installer.”

Turn ON the Active Directory Administrative Centre

Step 6: In a similar way, install the packages in your Windows 10/8 system. Then Turn ON the Active Directory Administrative Centre feature. 

Step 7: Then, go to Control Panel -> Programs -> Programs and Features -> Turn Windows features on or off. 

Step 8: Then Expand the Role Administration Tools and check the AD DS Tools.

Step 9: Finally, restart the system. 

No Option for “Remote Server Administration Tools” on Windows 10

Steps if no options for, “Remote Server Administration Tools”, on Windows 10:

Follow these steps if Windows Features does not have the “Remote Server Administration Tools”. 

Step 1: Follow Steps 1 through 9, as explained above.

Step 2: From “Turn Windows Features On or Off”, select “Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services” and click “OK”. 

Step 3: Windows will now get updated for the new changes. 

Step 4: Then, go to Start Menu for “Active Directory” and check “Active Directory Users and Computers.” It will show there which means the package has been successfully installed and switched ON. 

Active Directory Users and Computers Conclusion:

The above steps will be helpful for installing or switching ON the Active Directory Tool. It is clear that ADUC is helpful in administering most of the responsibilities. It lets you manage and reset passwords, FSMO server roles, unlock users, change group memberships, etc.

AD is a directory tool that authorizes and authenticates all users and computers in a Windows domain type network. 

Aishwar Babber

Aishwar Babber is a passionate blogger and digital marketer who has worked in the industry for over six years. He loves to talk and blog about gadget, and latest tech, which motivates him to run GizmoBase. He has a deep understanding of how to create and execute successful marketing campaigns and is an expert in SEO, affiliate marketing, and blogging. Aishwar is also an investor and creator of multiple blogs on various niches. You can find him on Linkedin, Instagram, & Facebook.

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