How To Add Active Directory To Windows 11 May 2026

First, a critical distinction: You cannot install a full Active Directory (the server that stores the directory database) on Windows 11. Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) is a server role that requires a Windows Server operating system.

Get-WindowsCapability -Name "Rsat*" -Online | Add-WindowsCapability -Online To install only the AD tools: how to add active directory to windows 11

Use Windows 11 with RSAT to manage an existing Active Directory environment. If you need a domain controller, deploy Windows Server in a virtual machine on your Windows 11 PC or on separate hardware. First, a critical distinction: You cannot install a