How to Install Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) on Windows 10

If you have the full version of Windows 10 Enterprise, Professional, or Education, you can install Microsoft Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT).

RSAT gives system administrators the ability to manage remote servers and PCs. This means you can easily manage user passwords, permissions, and more. Staring in October 2018, Microsoft began including RSAT as one of its Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education “Features on Demand.”

Installing these tools isn’t always self-explanatory. In this article, I will show you how to install RSAT in Windows 10.

What is Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC)?

Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) is a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in that enables administrators to manage users, groups, computers, and organizational groups and their attributes.

If you have ever needed the IT department at work to reset your password, this is the software tool that they probably used to help you. Although the ADUC snap-in has many functions, password resets are the feature most commonly used.

How to Install RSAT on Windows 10

In order to enable these features, you’ll need to install RSAT on your Windows machine.

Installing RSAT on Windows 10 Build 1809 or Later

Starting with the October 2018 update to Windows 10, RSAT is available as a “Feature on Demand” on every Professional, Enterprise, and Education edition of Windows 10.

1. To get RSAT running, tap the Windows key, type Manage optional features in the search box and select Manage Optional Features from the menu.
   
2. The settings app will bring up a list of all the optional features already installed on your Windows 10 desktop.
   
3. Click the + button that says Add a feature and scroll through the list for the RSAT tools you’re looking for and add them.

Installing RSAT Prior to Windows 10 Build 1809

If you’re running an earlier version of Windows 10, you can still install RSAT, but the sequence of steps is different.

If you have an earlier build of Windows 10 (for example, if you have automatic updates turned off), then you will need to install RSAT manually by downloading it from the Microsoft website.

Here’s how to download the RSAT suite:

1. Visit the Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 10 page.
2. Select Download.
3. Open the .msu file once it completes downloading.
4. Let the installation proceed.
5. Type ‘control’ into the Windows Search box to bring up the Control Panel.
6. Select Programs > Programs and Features.
7. Select Turn Windows features on or off.
8. Select Remote Server Administration Tools > Role Administration Tools.
9. Select AD DS and AD LDS Tools.
10. Check the box by AD DS Tools and select OK.

You have now installed and enabled Active Directory Users and Computers in Windows 10. You should now be able to see it in Control Panel.

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Navigate to Administrative Tools.
3. Select Active Directory Users and Computers.

You should now be able to perform most of the usual daily tasks you need to on remote servers.

Install Active Directory Users and Computers Using the Command Line

As with most server-based installations, you can also do the install via the command line.

Just three commands will install RSAT:

1. Open a command-line window as an administrator.
2. Type ‘dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:RSATClient-Roles-AD’ and hit Enter.
3. Type ‘dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:RSATClient-Roles-AD-DS’ and hit Enter.
4. Type ‘dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:RSATClient-Roles-AD-DS-SnapIns’ and hit Enter.

This will install and integrate Active Directory Users and Computers into Windows 10 ready for you to use.

Troubleshooting the RSAT Installation

RSAT installations will usually just run smoothly, but there are occasional problems.

Windows Update

The RSAT installer uses Windows Update to install and integrate RSAT into Windows 10. That means if you have Windows Firewall turned off, it may not work properly.

If you have installed RSAT and it doesn’t show up or won’t install properly, turn on Windows Firewall in Services, perform the install, then turn Windows Firewall off again. This problem plagues many Windows Update-related installations. If you’re having other Windows Update related issues, check here for some common problems and solutions.

Not All Tabs Showing in RSAT

If you installed RSAT but you don’t see all the options, right-click Active Directory Users and Computers in Admin Tools and make sure the Target is set to:

%SystemRoot%system32dsa.msc

If the target is correct, make sure you have the latest Windows Updates and the latest version of Active Directory Users and Computers. If you had a previous install, remove that before reinstalling the newer version. Updates to RSAT are not clean so old files and configurations can remain.

Final Thoughts

These are useful tools but only for people who have multiple computers to administer. By following the steps outlined above you can install RSAT on your Windows 10 computer and get back to work as quickly as possible.

How did enabling RSAT go for you? Do you have any tips or tricks for others trying to install remote admin tools? If so, we’d love to hear from you in the comments below!