How to Get Active Directory on Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’ve ever needed to manage users, groups, or computers in a networked environment, you’ve likely heard of Active Directory (AD). But when you’re using a Windows 10 PC, you might wonder — can I get Active Directory on Windows 10?

Yes, you can!

While Windows 10 doesn’t include a full Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) feature like Windows Server, it does allow you to access, connect, and even install management tools for Active Directory.

In this complete step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to get Active Directory on Windows 10, how to install the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT), and how to use AD tools to manage your network.

Table of Contents

🔍 What Is Active Directory?

Active Directory (AD) is Microsoft’s centralized directory service that helps network administrators manage:

User accounts
Computers
Groups
Printers
Security policies

Think of it as a digital phone book for your entire organization — it stores and organizes information so that Windows can recognize users and devices easily.

Active Directory is most commonly used in business environments where multiple computers are connected to a domain network.

🧭 What Does Active Directory Do?

Here’s what makes AD so powerful:

Feature	Description
Centralized Management	Manage all users and devices from one console.
User Authentication	Verify user credentials when logging in.
Group Policy	Apply rules and restrictions across multiple computers.
Resource Management	Control access to files, printers, and shared folders.
Security & Permissions	Set who can do what within the organization.

💡 Why You Might Want Active Directory on Windows 10

You might want Active Directory access on Windows 10 if you:

Need to connect your computer to a company domain.
Want to manage users or groups on a business network.
Are an IT administrator testing domain configurations.
Need Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) to manage AD remotely.

Windows 10 allows you to join domains and install tools to manage AD — but the domain controller itself must run on a Windows Server, not Windows 10.

🧩 Two Main Ways to Use Active Directory on Windows 10

Purpose	Method	Description
Access AD	Join a domain	Connect your Windows 10 PC to an existing AD domain
Manage AD	Install RSAT tools	Use Remote Server Administration Tools to manage AD remotely

Let’s go step-by-step through both.

⚙️ Method 1: Join an Active Directory Domain on Windows 10

If your organization has an Active Directory domain, you can join it directly from Windows 10.

✅ Requirements

A Windows Server domain controller must already exist.
You must have network access to that domain.
You’ll need domain credentials (e.g., username and password).

🪜 Steps to Join a Domain

Open System Settings
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Click Accounts → Access work or school.
Connect to the Domain
- Click Connect.
- In the window that appears, select Join this device to a local Active Directory domain.
Enter the Domain Name
- Type your domain name, such as company.local or corp.example.com.
- Click Next.
Enter Domain Credentials
- Enter the username and password provided by your system administrator.
- Click OK.
Restart Your Computer
- Once joined successfully, you’ll be prompted to restart.
- After rebooting, you can sign in using your domain account.

💬 How to Verify Domain Connection

Open Control Panel → System and Security → System.
Under Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings, check that your PC is listed under the correct domain.

⚙️ Method 2: Install Active Directory Tools on Windows 10 (RSAT)

If you’re an IT admin or want to manage Active Directory remotely, you need the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) package.

RSAT allows you to use tools like:

Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC)
Active Directory Domains and Trusts
Active Directory Sites and Services
Group Policy Management Console (GPMC)

🧠 What Is RSAT?

Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) lets you manage server roles and features directly from your Windows 10 PC — no need to log in to a Windows Server.

RSAT was previously a downloadable package, but in Windows 10 version 1809 and later, it’s available as an optional feature.

🪜 Steps to Install RSAT in Windows 10

✅ Step 1: Open Windows Settings

Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
Navigate to Apps → Optional features.

✅ Step 2: Add a Feature

Click Add a feature at the top.

✅ Step 3: Search for RSAT Tools

In the search bar, type RSAT.
You’ll see a list of available tools, including:
- RSAT: Active Directory Domain Services and Lightweight Directory Tools
- RSAT: Group Policy Management Tools
- RSAT: DNS Server Tools
- RSAT: DHCP Server Tools

✅ Step 4: Install AD DS Tools

Select RSAT: Active Directory Domain Services and Lightweight Directory Tools.
Click Install.

✅ Step 5: Wait for Installation

It may take a few minutes depending on your internet connection.

⚙️ Step 6: Verify RSAT Installation

After installation completes:

Press Windows + S and type Windows Administrative Tools.
Check if you see Active Directory Users and Computers, AD Domains and Trusts, or AD Sites and Services listed.

⚙️ Step 7: Launch Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC)

Press Windows + S → search for Active Directory Users and Computers.
Open it — you can now view and manage:
- Users
- Groups
- Organizational Units (OUs)
- Computers

💡 Pro Tip: You must be logged in with domain admin privileges to make changes.

⚙️ Step 8: Connect to a Domain Controller

If your computer isn’t automatically connected:

In ADUC, right-click Active Directory Users and Computers (root).
Select Connect to Domain.
Enter your domain name and credentials.
You can now fully manage users, groups, and computers remotely.

🧭 Alternate Way: Install RSAT Using Command Prompt or PowerShell

For tech-savvy users, PowerShell or Command Prompt can install RSAT tools faster.

✅ Using PowerShell

Run PowerShell as Administrator.
Type the following command:

This installs all RSAT components, including AD tools.

Or install just the AD DS tools:

✅ Check Installation Status

🧰 Tools Included with RSAT (Windows 10)

Tool Name	Description
ADUC (Active Directory Users and Computers)	Manage users, computers, and groups.
AD Administrative Center (ADAC)	Modern interface for AD management.
AD Sites and Services	Manage replication between domain controllers.
AD Domains and Trusts	Configure domain relationships and hierarchies.
Group Policy Management Console (GPMC)	Manage Group Policies across domains.

🧩 Method 3: Enable RSAT Using Windows Features (Legacy Versions)

If you’re running an older version of Windows 10 (before 1809), you’ll need to download RSAT manually from Microsoft’s website.

✅ Steps:

Visit the official Microsoft RSAT download page.
Download the version that matches your Windows 10 edition (e.g., 64-bit).
Install it like a regular program.
Restart your computer.
Open the tools via Control Panel → Administrative Tools.

🧠 Note: Starting from Windows 10 version 1809, RSAT is built-in and no longer requires manual download.

⚠️ Common RSAT Installation Issues and Fixes

Problem	Possible Cause	Solution
RSAT not listed under Optional Features	Outdated Windows version	Update Windows to 1809 or later
Installation stuck at 0%	Windows Update service disabled	Enable Windows Update
Tools not appearing after install	Missing restart	Restart the computer
ADUC not opening	Not joined to domain	Connect to domain first
Permissions denied	Local account used	Sign in with domain admin account

🔧 How to Uninstall RSAT (Optional)

If you no longer need Active Directory tools:

✅ From Settings:

Go to Settings → Apps → Optional features.
Locate RSAT: Active Directory….
Click Uninstall.

✅ Using PowerShell:

💬 How to Use Active Directory Once Installed

Once RSAT is active, you can:

Create and manage user accounts
Reset passwords
Organize computers into OUs
Apply and edit Group Policies
Check replication and trust relationships

💡 You can even connect to multiple domains if you have administrative rights.

🔍 Comparison: AD Access vs. AD Management

Feature	Join Domain	RSAT Tools
Access network resources	✅	✅
Manage users and groups	❌	✅
Change group policies	❌	✅
Requires Windows Server	✅	✅ (for backend)
Available in Windows 10	✅	✅

🧠 Pro Tips for Active Directory on Windows 10

Keep Windows updated — RSAT depends on the latest build.
Use PowerShell for faster management tasks.
Enable Group Policy editing for custom configurations.
Always run as administrator when using AD tools.
Use ADAC for a modern, GUI-based AD experience.

📘 Conclusion

Getting Active Directory on Windows 10 is easier than ever. While Windows 10 isn’t a domain controller, you can:

Join existing AD domains
Install RSAT tools to manage users, computers, and policies
Control and configure your network like a pro

Whether you’re a system admin or a student learning IT, these steps will help you confidently manage Active Directory from your Windows 10 device.

🔑 Key Takeaways

Windows 10 can’t host Active Directory, but it can access and manage it.
Use RSAT tools to manage AD remotely.
You can join a domain directly via Settings → Accounts → Access work or school.
PowerShell commands simplify installation and automation.
Always use domain admin credentials for management access.

❓ FAQs About Getting Active Directory on Windows 10

1. Can I install Active Directory on Windows 10 Home?

No. RSAT tools are available only on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

2. Can Windows 10 act as a domain controller?

No. Only Windows Server can host Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS).

3. How do I know if RSAT is installed?

Open Settings → Apps → Optional Features and look for RSAT: Active Directory Domain Services Tools.

4. Why is the RSAT option missing from my system?

You’re likely using Windows 10 Home or an older version. Upgrade to Windows 10 Pro 1809+.

5. Can I manage Active Directory from PowerShell?

Yes. You can use cmdlets like Get-ADUser or New-ADGroup once RSAT is installed.

✅ In summary:
With RSAT tools and the right configuration, you can easily get and use Active Directory on Windows 10 to manage your domain, users, and policies — just like a system administrator.

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