If you need Active Directory Users and Computers on your Windows Server, you need to install Active Directory Administration Tools.
The walk through below will also install other AD Administration Tools like DNS configuration and optional if you want to install Group Policy Management.
Tutorial below have been tested in Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019 and Amazon Workspaces Windows 10.
I learned the steps below when I was configuring Amazon Workspaces Windows 10 to do Active Directory Administration. I was avoiding to RDP to the AD Domain Controller to lessen the impact when I make adjustments that is why I needed the Active Directory Management Tools inside my Amazon Workspace.
Note: It is best if your Windows Server is already joined to an Active Directory Domain.
Step-by-step Instruction to Install Active Directory Administration Tools
Click on Start Menu and click Server Manager.
On Server Manager click Add roles and features.
Add Roles and Features Wizard window will open. On Before you begin, click on Next.
On Select installation type, click Next.
On Select destination server, click Next.
On Select server roles, do not select anything. Click Next.
On Select features, expand Remote Server Administration Tools. Expand again Role Administration Tools.
Select the following.
- AD DS and AD LDS Tools
- DNS Server Tools
Optional: If you need to edit Group Policies, select also Group Policy Management. This is on the same level as Remote Server Administration Tools.
Click Next.
On Confirm installation selections, click Install. No need to check Restart destination server automatically if required.
Wait for the installation to finish.
Once finished, click Close.
Verification
Click on Start Menu.
Expand Windows Administrative Tools folder.
Verify if the following exist.
- Active Directory Administrative Center
- Active Directory Domains and Trusts
- Active Directory Module for Windows Powershell
- Active Directory Sites and Services
- Active Directory Users and Computers
- ADSI Edit
- DNS
If the above exists, we have verified that installation of Active Directory Administration Tools is a success.
I hope the above steps helped you. If you encounter an error or something to improve the post let me know in the comments below.