How to Activate Active Directory in Windows 10

2025 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2025-01-24 13:28

This article shows you how to install the Active Directory feature on a computer running the Windows 10 operating system. You must use the Professional or Enterprise version of Windows 10 to perform this procedure.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Install the Remote Server Administration Tools Program

Enable Active Directory in Windows 10 Step 1

Step 1. Use your preferred internet browser to access the following URL:

www.microsoft.com/it-it/download/details.aspx?id=45520. By default, the Active Directory Administration Tool is not integrated into Windows 10 and must be downloaded and installed from Microsoft's website.

If you are not using the Professional or Enterprise version of Windows 10, the installation will fail

Enable Active Directory in Windows 10 Step 2

Step 2. Press the red Download button

You may have to scroll down the pages to find it.

Enable Active Directory in Windows 10 Step 3

Step 3. Select the "File Name" checkbox

In this way all the files in the list will be automatically selected.

Enable Active Directory in Windows 10 Step 4

Step 4. Press the Next button

Enable Active Directory in Windows 10 Step 5

Step 5. All the files present (there should be 6) will be downloaded to your computer

To install the indicated Microsoft product you need to download more than one file, so press the "Save" button for each of the files you need to download.

Enable Active Directory in Windows 10 Step 6

Step 6. Go to the "Downloads" folder

Open a "File Explorer" window and select the entry This PC. Alternatively, view the desktop directly.

Enable Active Directory in Windows 10 Step 7

Step 7. Install all downloaded files

Double-click the first item, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. Repeat this step for all the files you downloaded.

Part 2 of 2: Enable the Windows Active Directory Feature

Enable Active Directory in Windows 10 Step 8

Step 1. Go to the Windows "Control Panel"

Type the keywords control panel into the search bar or "Start" menu, then select the "Control Panel" icon from the results list.

Enable Active Directory in Windows 10 Step 9

Step 2. Select the Programs category

Enable Active Directory in Windows 10 Step 10

Step 3. Click the Turn Windows features on or off link

A new dialog will appear.

Enable Active Directory in Windows 10 Step 11

Step 4. Scroll through the list to locate and select the + icon next to "Remote Server Administration Tools"

A list of options will be displayed.

Enable Active Directory in Windows 10 Step 12

Step 5. Click the + icon next to "Role Administration Tools"

Enable Active Directory in Windows 10 Step 13

Step 6. Select the "AD and AD Domain Service Tools" checkbox

Windows will install all the necessary files, after which it will ask you to restart your computer.

Enable Active Directory in Windows 10 Step 14

Step 7. Press the Restart Now button

Your computer will restart automatically. As soon as you have access to the desktop again, the Active Directory will be available within the section Administrative tools Windows from the "Start" menu.

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