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How to Add Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) to Your Windows System
Active Directory Users and Computers — commonly abbreviated as ADUC — is a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in used to manage users, groups, computers, and other objects within an Active Directory (AD) domain. If you're setting up a new workstation or managing a Windows Server environment, knowing how to install and access ADUC is a foundational IT skill.
What Is Active Directory Users and Computers?
ADUC is an administrative tool that lets you:
- Create and manage user accounts and security groups
- Join or remove computer objects from a domain
- Set organizational units (OUs) for policy delegation
- Reset passwords, disable accounts, and manage permissions
It lives inside the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) package on client machines, or it's available natively on Windows Server installations. The tool itself doesn't run on a server — it communicates with a domain controller over the network.
Where ADUC Lives Depends on Your System
This is the first variable most people run into. Where you install or access ADUC depends entirely on what OS you're running:
| Environment | How ADUC Is Accessed |
|---|---|
| Windows Server (2016, 2019, 2022) | Available after installing AD DS role or RSAT |
| Windows 11 / 10 Pro or Enterprise | Installed via RSAT optional features |
| Windows 11 / 10 Home | Not supported — RSAT is unavailable |
| Windows 8.1 / older | Requires manual RSAT download from Microsoft |
Windows Home editions cannot run RSAT tools at all. If you're on a Home edition and need ADUC access, the path forward typically involves upgrading the OS edition or managing AD from a different machine.
How to Add ADUC on Windows 10 or Windows 11 (Pro/Enterprise) 🖥️
On modern Windows client machines, ADUC is installed as part of the RSAT feature set through Windows Settings:
- Open Settings → Apps → Optional Features
- Click Add a feature (or View features in Windows 11)
- Search for "RSAT: Active Directory Domain Services and Lightweight Directory Tools"
- Select it and click Install
- Once installed, open the Start menu and search for "Active Directory Users and Computers"
No reboot is typically required. The tool will appear under Windows Administrative Tools in the Start menu.
Alternatively, you can install it via PowerShell with elevated privileges: