Enable Active Directory Users and Computers on Windows 11
- Windows PRO users met some trouble when trying to enable Active Directory Users and Computers in Windows 11 & 10.
- We have provided below a detailed step-by-step solution on how to install the package.
- ADUC is a powerful administrative feature that companies use since it was released in the old Windows 2000 iteration.
Some of you might have already looked for ADUC on your laptop to realize that it’s not there. Thus, today we will show you how to enable Active Directory Users and Computers in Windows 11 and 10.
It is not included in the normal installation, and the method by which you obtain it will vary depending on your version of Windows. Active Directory Users and Computers is a Microsoft Management Console snap-in that you use to administer Active Directory.
You can manage objects, people, computers, Organizational Units, and properties of each. It is one of the various tools that you can use to administer AD, but since it has been available since Windows 2000, it is one of the most used.
Follow along as we will show you how to enable the service right after we see in more depth, how it works behind the scenes.
How does ADUC work?
When it comes to administration and end-users, Active Directory makes life easier while also increasing security for enterprises.
Administrative privileges and rights management are centralized, and administrators have centralized control over computer and user configurations thanks to the Active Directory Group Policy feature.
After authenticating once, users can access any resources in the domain for which they have been granted access without having to authenticate again (single sign-on).
Furthermore, files are stored in a centralized repository where they can be shared with other users to facilitate collaboration, and they are adequately backed up by IT teams to ensure business continuity and continuity of operations.
The Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) service is the primary Active Directory service, and it is included with the Windows Server operating system.
Domain controllers (DCs) are the servers that are responsible for administering AD DS. Organizations typically have numerous domain controllers, each of which contains a copy of the domain directory for the whole directory.
Changes made to the directory on one domain controller – such as changing a user’s password or deleting a user account – are replicated to the other domain controllers, ensuring that they are all up to date with the latest information.
It’s critical to note that Active Directory is only available for Microsoft systems that are hosted on-premises. Azure Active Directory, which is used by Microsoft environments in the cloud, performs the same functions as its on-premises counterpart.
Although Active Directory and Azure Active Directory are independent, they can function together to a certain extent if your firm has both on-premises and cloud IT systems (a hybrid deployment).
How can I install Active Directory Users and Computers in Windows 11?
Download Additional features
- First you need to open the Settings app. You can do so by pressing the Windows + I keys from your keyboard, then go to Apps from the left menu, followed by Optional features.
- Now click on the View features button and search for RSAT: Active Directory Domain Services and Lightweight Directory Services Tools and click Next in order to continue with the installation process.
How can I enable Active Directory Users and Computers in Windows 10 alone?
On both operating systems, the procedure to install and enable Active Directory Users and Computers is the same as for the other. The only difference will be that instead of the Next button, you will have an Install button.
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Consequently, you can open Settings on Windows 10, then go to Apps followed by Optional features, as we did above, and install the same package named: RSAT: Active Directory Domain Services and Lightweight Directory Services Tools.
ADUC will be downloaded and configured on your computer once the installation process has been completed. To double-check, press the Start button. The Administrative Tools folder will be located on the menu bar, and it should contain Active Directory Users and Computers information.
What’s in the Active Directory database?
This database contains information on the Active Directory objects that are present in the domain. Users, computers, programs, printers, and shared folders are all examples of AD objects that are commonly seen.
A number of objects can contain additional objects (this is why AD is referred to as hierarchical in some places). The categorization of them into organizational units and the streamlining of security by grouping users are two common ways in which companies simplify administration and security.
These organizational units and groups are also objects that are saved in the directory. Attributes are characteristics of objects. Some characteristics are immediately noticeable, while others are more subtle.
For example, a user object typically contains attributes such as the person’s name, password, department, and email address, as well as attributes that are not visible to the general public, such as the user’s unique Globally Unique Identifier (GUID), Security Identifier (SID), and last login time.
When a database is structured, it indicates that there is a design that dictates what sorts of information are stored in the database and how that information is organized.
A schema is a type of design that is used to organize information. It is no exception in the case of Active Directory, whose schema comprises formal definitions of every object class that can be generated in a forest, as well as formal definitions of every attribute.
Important to understand is that it’s adamant to prepare the schema carefully upfront, because of the critical function that Active Directory plays in authentication and authorization. Modifying the schema of the AD database can have a significant impact on your organization.
If you face the An administrator has blocked you from running this app error message on your computer, take a look at the article linked in order to fix it.
Users reported also getting the Windows Server is not operational issue flag and asked us to help them with some solutions. Don’t worry as we have already put together a comprehensive guide linked here.
Another common issue is Windows 11’s Cannot access shared folder error to which we have responded with an article. Make sure to check it out in order to save troubleshooting time!
And lastly, check out our post on Active Directory Users and Computers not responding, in the case that you encounter the same inconvenience.
Was this guide helpful? Do let us know in the comments section below as well as whether you have any other solutions in mind. Thanks for reading!
