How To Install Active Directory Users And Computers (ADUC)?

Many people struggle with installing Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC), often feeling lost in the technical details and worried about the impact of potential mistakes. It’s a common concern that the setup might be too complex or that one error could jeopardize the whole network.

This blog post is here to ease those fears. We’ll provide you with a straightforward, step-by-step guide to installing ADUC, ensuring you can handle the setup confidently and correctly. Let’s simplify this technical task together, making it accessible for everyone.

What Is Active Directory Users And Computers (ADUC)?

Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) is a tool included in the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT), specifically designed for managing users, computers, groups, and organizational units within a Windows Active Directory environment. Administrators use ADUC to perform various tasks like creating user accounts, managing group memberships, assigning permissions, and configuring policies for computers and users.

ADUC provides a user-friendly interface, allowing IT administrators to manage access controls, ensuring that each user or system has the right level of access to the network’s resources. In a networked environment, administrators rely on ADUC to add new users, reset passwords, disable accounts, and control the overall structure of the Active Directory.

By accessing ADUC, network administrators can apply security policies across the organization, enforce compliance, and organize network resources. It’s particularly helpful in large organizations where central control of user accounts, computers, and group policies becomes necessary. ADUC is part of the broader Active Directory management framework, helping IT professionals organize and manage the network’s infrastructure, keeping resources and user roles in sync.

Note: RSAT can be installed only on computers that are running the Professional or Enterprise versions of Windows.

How To Install Active Directory Users And Computers (ADUC)?

Installing Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) is a necessary step if you need to manage users, computers, and groups in a Windows network environment. The process involves enabling the RSAT (Remote Server Administration Tools) feature, which includes ADUC, on your system. Whether you’re using Windows 10 or Windows 11, you can follow these steps to get ADUC up and running.

Install ADUC On Windows 10 Pro 1809+ And Above Versions

In Windows 10 Pro (version 1809 and above), you can install Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) by using either the graphical user interface (GUI) or PowerShell. The process is quite efficient, and both methods are fairly simple. You can choose whichever method suits your preference.

Below are step-by-step instructions for both methods.

Using PowerShell:

PowerShell offers a quick and efficient way to install ADUC on Windows 10 Pro 1809+ versions.

• Open PowerShell As Admin: Click on the “Start” button and search for “Windows PowerShell (Admin)”. Then Right click on it and select “Run as administrator”.
• Check For RSAT Capabilities: Run the following command to list the available RSAT features:

Get-WindowsCapability -Name RSAT* -Online | Select-Object -Property DisplayName, Name, State

• This command will return a list of RSAT versions available for your system.
• Choose The RSAT Version: From the list, find the RSAT: Active Directory Domain Services and Lightweight Directory Tools and note the name of the feature.
• Install ADUC via PowerShell: Run the following command to install the ADUC feature:

Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name Rsat.ActiveDirectory.DS-LDS.Tools~~~~0.0.1.0

• The installation will begin, and once complete, you’ll see a success message.
• Verify Installation: After installation, type Active Directory Users and Computers in the Windows search bar to confirm that ADUC is installed.

Without PowerShell:

If you prefer not to use PowerShell, you can install ADUC using the standard Windows Settings app.

• Open Settings: Click the “Start” menu and select “Settings.”
• Search For Optional Features: In the Settings window, type “Optional Features” in the search bar and select it from the list.
• Add RSAT Feature: Click on “Add a feature.” In the search bar, type “RSAT” to display the list of available tools.

• Select And Install ADUC: From the list, select “RSAT: Active Directory Domain Services and Lightweight Directory Tools.”

• Then click “Install.”

• Confirm Installation: Once the installation is complete, type Active Directory Users and Computers in the search bar to access ADUC.

Install ADUC On Windows 10 Version 1803 And Below Versions

For Windows 10 versions 1803 and below, the installation process for Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) is different from later versions. These versions require you to manually download the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT), as they aren’t included as an optional feature in the system settings.

Here’s how you can install ADUC on Windows 10 version 1803 or earlier:

• Download RSAT From Microsoft: Go to the Microsoft Download Center and search for the correct version of RSAT that matches your Windows version. Ensure you select the package specific to Windows 10 version 1803 or below.
• Run The Installer Package: Once you have downloaded the RSAT installer, open the file and follow the on-screen instructions to begin the installation. The setup process is straightforward, and you’ll need to follow each prompt to complete it.
• Enable ADUC Through Windows Features: After the installation is complete, you will need to enable ADUC manually:
  • Click the “Start” button and go to the “Control Panel.”

• • Navigate to “Programs > Programs and Features,” then select “Turn Windows features on or off.”

• Activate AD DS Tools: In the Windows Features window:
  • Scroll down and expand the “Remote Server Administration Tools” section.
  • Expand “Role Administration Tools.”
  • Further expand the section labeled “AD DS and AD LDS Tools.”

• • Check the box for “AD DS Tools” and click “OK” to confirm.

By following these steps, you’ll successfully install and enable ADUC on Windows 10 version 1803 or earlier.

How To Use Active Directory Users And Computers?

Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) is a central tool used by IT administrators to manage network resources like users, computers, and groups within an organization. Below, we’ll go through how to use ADUC for some of the most common tasks, such as creating users, managing groups, and resetting passwords.

1. Opening Active Directory Users And Computers

Before you can start managing your network, you need to access ADUC. It’s easy to locate, and once open, you’ll have a view of all the users, computers, and organizational units (OUs) in your domain.

• Go to the Windows search bar and type Active Directory Users and Computers.
• Select it from the search results to open the console.
• The left pane of the console shows your domain structure, including folders like Users, Computers, and OUs.

2. Creating A New User

Creating user accounts is one of the most frequent tasks in ADUC. New accounts give employees access to network resources and services.

• In ADUC, navigate to the Users container or any OU where you want to create the new account.
• Right-click the container, then select New > User.
• A wizard will guide you through entering the user’s details like first name, last name, and logon name.
• Set a password for the user and configure options like whether the user needs to change their password upon first logon.
• Click Next and then Finish to complete the user creation.

3. Creating A New Organizational Unit (OU)

An Organizational Unit (OU) helps group resources like users or computers for easier management. OUs are useful for applying policies and managing permissions on specific sections of your network.

• In ADUC, right-click your domain or an existing OU and select New > Organizational Unit.
• Name the new OU based on its purpose (e.g., “Sales” or “IT Department”).
• Click OK to create the OU. You can now move users, computers, or groups into this OU for better organization and management.

4. Managing User Properties

You may need to update or change details for existing user accounts, such as group memberships, logon restrictions, or contact information.

• In the ADUC console, navigate to the Users container or OU where the user is located.
• Right-click the user account and select Properties.
• The Properties window allows you to modify various details, including:
• General Information (name, description)
• Group Membership (which groups the user belongs to)
• Account Settings (logon restrictions, password settings)
• Once changes are made, click OK to save them.

5. Resetting User Passwords

When a user forgets their password, you can easily reset it through ADUC, allowing them to regain access to their account.

• Locate the user account in ADUC.
• Right-click on the user account and choose Reset Password.
• Enter the new password, confirm it, and choose whether the user must change their password upon next login.
• Click OK to reset the password.

6. Managing Computers

ADUC isn’t just for managing users; you can also add and manage computers in your network. This ensures that all devices are properly tracked and managed within your organization.

• In ADUC, navigate to the Computers container or an OU where you want to add a new computer.
• Right-click the container, then select New > Computer.
• Enter a name for the computer and click Next.
• Click Finish to complete the process. The computer is now part of the Active Directory.

7. Deleting Users Or Computers

When users leave the organization or computers are no longer in use, it’s important to remove them from Active Directory to maintain an organized and secure network.

• Navigate to the Users or Computers container, or find the object in its OU.
• Right-click on the user or computer you want to remove and select Delete.
• Confirm the deletion when prompted. The object is permanently removed from Active Directory.

8. Group Management

Groups help simplify the management of access permissions by allowing you to assign roles or permissions to multiple users at once.

• In ADUC, right-click on a container or OU and select New > Group.
• Name the group, choose the group scope (Global, Domain Local, or Universal), and select the group type (Security or Distribution).
• Click OK to create the group.
• To add users to the group, right-click on the group, select Properties, go to the Members tab, and click Add to include the relevant users.

By using ADUC effectively, network administrators can manage user accounts, computers, and permissions in an organized and secure manner. Each of these tasks plays a key role in maintaining a well-structured and efficient network environment.

Other Tools In RSAT Package

The Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) package includes a variety of tools that provide administrators with the ability to manage different aspects of Windows Server environments. Along with Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC), many other useful tools are included in RSAT. Below are some key tools that help streamline network and system administration:

• Active Directory Administrative Center (ADAC): ADAC offers a modern, user-friendly interface for managing users, groups, and computers within the Active Directory environment. It includes advanced features like fine-grained password policies and the Active Directory Recycle Bin, which allows for the recovery of deleted objects.
• Active Directory Module For Windows PowerShell: This module enables administrators to manage Active Directory through PowerShell. It allows for automation of tasks like user creation, group management, and configuring policies via scripts. Administrators can run PowerShell cmdlets to perform bulk operations, making the management of large networks more efficient.
• Active Directory Sites And Services: This tool is used to manage site topology within an Active Directory environment. It allows administrators to configure replication between domain controllers in different physical locations, ensuring that data is synchronized across all sites efficiently. It’s especially important for large organizations with geographically distributed offices.
• DNS Manager: This tool allows for the management of Domain Name System (DNS) settings. It helps administrators create, configure, and maintain DNS zones and records, and troubleshoot name resolution issues. DNS is critical for mapping domain names to IP addresses, ensuring network stability and performance.
• DHCP Manager: With Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Manager, administrators can manage DHCP servers to configure IP address scopes, reservations, and settings for devices in the network. This tool ensures that all devices receive the correct IP configurations automatically.
• File Services Tools: These tools allow for the management of file servers, enabling administrators to configure shared folders, storage quotas, and Distributed File System (DFS) namespaces. They help maintain control over file access and resource sharing across the network.
• Group Policy Management Console (GPMC): GPMC is used to create, manage, and apply Group Policy Objects (GPOs). Administrators can enforce security settings, configure software installations, and apply system configurations network-wide, ensuring uniformity and compliance across all devices.
• Hyper-V Manager: This tool is essential for managing virtual machines (VMs) on Hyper-V hosts. It allows administrators to create, configure, and monitor virtual environments, making it a critical tool for virtualized infrastructure.
• Windows Server Update Services (WSUS): WSUS tools help manage software updates across Windows Server environments. Administrators can approve or decline updates, schedule installations, and generate reports on update compliance to ensure that systems are patched and secure.
• Failover Cluster Manager: This tool is used to manage failover clusters in Windows Server environments. It allows administrators to monitor cluster nodes, configure high-availability services, and ensure continuous uptime by providing redundancy in case of server failure.
• IP Address Management (IPAM): IPAM helps administrators monitor and manage IP address spaces, DHCP server configurations, and DNS settings across the network. It’s especially useful for large networks with a complex address structure.
• Certificate Authority Management Tools: These tools help manage Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), allowing administrators to issue, manage, and revoke digital certificates, which are critical for securing communication in a network.

Each tool included in RSAT plays a significant role in the day-to-day management and maintenance of network infrastructure. Having access to these tools makes it easier to perform tasks like monitoring servers, managing resources, and enforcing policies across the network.

Tips To Manage ADUC Effectively

Managing Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) can become complex, especially in larger environments. However, there are strategies and best practices that can simplify this process and help ensure the network runs smoothly. Below are some tips to manage ADUC more efficiently, making your administrative tasks easier and more organized.

• Use Organizational Units (OUs) For Structure: Organize users, computers, and groups into OUs based on department, location, or role. This simplifies management and allows for easy application of Group Policies.
• Leverage Group Policies: Apply Group Policy Objects (GPOs) at the OU level to enforce security settings, manage software deployments, and configure system settings across multiple users or computers.
• Implement Naming Conventions: Use clear, consistent naming conventions for users, computers, and OUs. This makes it easier to search, organize, and manage Active Directory objects.
• Set Password Expiration Policies: Regularly enforce password changes by setting expiration policies through ADUC. This ensures stronger security and reduces the risk of compromised accounts.
• Use Security Groups For Access Control: Assign users to Security Groups to manage access permissions efficiently. Rather than assigning permissions individually, you can grant access to resources based on group membership.
• Audit And Clean Up Unused Accounts: Periodically review and disable inactive user and computer accounts. This reduces clutter in the Active Directory and prevents security risks from unused or outdated accounts.
• Delegate Administrative Tasks: Delegate specific administrative responsibilities to other users, such as resetting passwords or managing specific OUs, using Delegate Control in ADUC. This reduces the workload for primary administrators and improves efficiency.
• Enable Account Lockout Policies: Set policies that lock out user accounts after a certain number of failed login attempts. This helps to prevent brute-force attacks on user credentials.
• Monitor Group Membership Changes: Regularly review changes in group membership to ensure that users have the correct level of access. This helps prevent unauthorized access to sensitive resources.
• Use Logon Hours For Enhanced Security: Set logon hours for users who should only have access to the network during specific times. This adds an extra layer of security by limiting when users can log in.

Following these tips can significantly enhance the way you manage your Active Directory environment, ensuring both efficiency and security.

FAQs:

Conclusion

We hope this guide has made the process of installing Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) clearer and more manageable for you. By breaking down each step, our goal was to help you navigate the setup with confidence, ensuring your network runs smoothly. Did you find the instructions helpful? Let us know if there are any additional details you’d like us to cover or if there’s anything else we can assist you with!