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So, today we’ll show you how to Enable Active Directory on Windows 11/10. Active Directory is a container or directory service that saves data objects on your local network. In a hierarchical way, the service keeps track of information about users, devices, apps, groups, and devices.
It is not part of the normal download, and how you get it depends on which version of Windows you have. Active Directory Users and Computers is a snap-in for the Microsoft Management Console that lets you manage Active Directory. You can also go to the official Microsoft support site to know more information about this.
Ways to Enable Active Directory on Windows 11/10
Install RSAT for Versions 1803 and Lower
On an older version of Windows 11/10, it takes a little bit more time to install RSAT and turn on Active Directory. Keep in mind that you can only use the Enterprise and Professional versions. Let’s look at how to turn on Active Directory on versions 1803 and lower.
- Launch your computer’s browser.
- Navigate to Microsoft’s Download Center and locate the Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 11/10
- Click the “Download” button.
- Pick the latest version to ensure maximum compatibility.
- Click the “Next” button and wait for the download to complete.
- Next, press the “Win” key on your keyboard.
- Search for Control Panel.
- In the Control Panel, click on the “Programs” tab.
- Next, select “Programs and Features” option.
- Click on “Turn Windows Features on or off”.
- Expand the “Remote Server Administration Tools” portion of the menu.
- Next, select “Role Administration Tools“.
- Select “AD LDS and AD DS Tools”.
- Hit the “OK” button.
Install RSAT for Versions 1809 and Higher
- Right-click the “Windows” icon at the lower-left corner of the screen.
- Select the “Settings” option from the menu that pops up.
- When the Settings window opens, you should select the “Apps” tab from the list.
- Next, click on the link “Manage Optional Features” on the right side of the Settings window. It is located in the “Apps & Features” section.
- Click on the “+ Add a feature” icon.
- Windows will show a list of available additions. Scroll down and pick the “RSAT: Active Directory Domain Services and Lightweight Directory Tools” add-on from the list.
- Click the “install” button.
- When the installation finishes, RSAT should be visible in the Administrative Tools section of the Start menu.
What is Active Directory in Windows?
Active Directory Users and Computer is mostly used to handle objects, people, computers, organization units, and all of their properties. It helps IT managers in organizations centralize storage repositories, which can then be shared with other users of the company, giving them different levels of access to content based on their permissions.
Using Active Directory Group Policy, you can centralize more than just storage. You can also centralize rights management, administrative powers, and even user configurations. One of the best things about an Active Directory is that it lets you sign in just once. This means that the user doesn’t have to log in every time they want to see the information.
Also, it’s important to know that the Active Directory service is only available on Microsoft computers and only in the professional or server versions of the Windows operating system. You can turn on Active Directory services on your device in a few different ways. You can use the Settings app’s graphical user interface (GUI), the PowerShell, or the Command Prompt.