See Active Directory Users and Computers in Windows
Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) is one of the most useful administrative tools available for managing Windows domain environments. It allows IT administrators and network managers to view user accounts, manage computers, create groups, reset passwords, and organize devices across an organization’s network.
If you’re using Windows 10 or Windows 11, you might have noticed that Active Directory Users and Computers isn’t available in the Start menu by default.
That’s because ADUC is part of the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) package, which is designed for managing Windows Server features from a client computer.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to see Active Directory Users and Computers in Windows, install the necessary tools, and troubleshoot common problems along the way.
See Active Directory Users and Computers in Windows
To see Active Directory Users and Computers in Windows 11 or Windows 10, install the RSAT: Active Directory Domain Services and Lightweight Directory Services Tools feature. Open Settings > System > Optional Features > View Features, search for RSAT, and install it. Once installed, press Windows + R, type dsa.msc, and press Enter to launch Active Directory Users and Computers.
Before getting started, there’s one important thing to understand. Active Directory Users and Computers is not available on every Windows edition. You’ll generally need Windows 10 or Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education. Windows Home doesn’t officially support installing the RSAT tools.
Also, installing ADUC doesn’t automatically connect your computer to an Active Directory domain. You’ll need access to a compatible domain environment and the appropriate permissions to manage its accounts and devices.
Let’s go through the complete process.
1: Check Your Windows Edition
First, check which version and edition of Windows you’re running. This is important because RSAT availability depends on your Windows edition.
To do this, press Windows + I to open the Settings app. From the left sidebar, select System and scroll down until you find the About option.
Click About to open your device information. Under the Windows specifications section, look for the Edition field.
Here, you’ll see whether you’re running Windows Home, Pro, Enterprise, or Education.
If your PC is running Windows 11 Pro or Windows 10 Pro, you can continue with the installation. The same applies to supported Enterprise and Education editions.
If you’re using Windows Home, the RSAT installation option won’t normally be available. You’ll need a supported Windows edition to use Microsoft’s standard RSAT installation method.
You can also check your Windows version on this page. Keeping Windows updated can help prevent compatibility issues when installing optional features.
2: Open Windows Optional Features
Now that you’ve confirmed your Windows edition, it’s time to open the Optional Features section.
Press Windows + I on your keyboard to launch Windows Settings.
If you’re using Windows 11, select System from the left sidebar. Scroll down and click Optional Features.
For Windows 10, open Settings, select Apps, and then click Optional Features.
This section lets you install additional Windows components that aren’t included in your standard installation.
You’ll find different optional tools and features here, depending on your Windows version and installed components.
On Windows 11, look for the View Features button next to Add an optional feature. On Windows 10, select Add a feature.
Click the available option to open the list of additional Windows features.
You can now search for the Active Directory administration tools.
3: Find the RSAT Active Directory Tools
Once you’ve opened the optional features list, use the search box to find the required RSAT package.
Type:
RSAT: Active Directory Domain Services and Lightweight Directory Services Tools
Windows should display the matching feature in the search results.
Select the checkbox next to it. Depending on your Windows version, you may see additional information about the feature and its size.
This package includes the administrative tools needed to work with Active Directory Domain Services and Lightweight Directory Services.
Make sure you’re selecting the correct package. Installing an unrelated RSAT component won’t give you access to Active Directory Users and Computers.
After selecting the feature, click Next and then Add or Install, depending on the Windows version.
Windows will begin downloading and installing the required components.
4: Install Active Directory Users and Computers
After selecting the RSAT package, Windows will take care of the installation process.
You can monitor its progress from the Optional Features page.
The installation might take a few minutes, depending on your internet connection, Windows configuration, and available system resources.
Make sure your PC stays connected to the internet during this process. Windows may need to download the required files from Microsoft’s update infrastructure.
Once the installation is complete, check the Installed Features section.
You should find RSAT: Active Directory Domain Services and Lightweight Directory Services Tools listed there.
If you can see it, the required RSAT component has been installed successfully.
You don’t normally need to restart your computer, but restarting can help if the tool doesn’t appear immediately.
5: Open Active Directory Users and Computers Using Run
Now comes the easiest part. Once RSAT is installed, you can launch Active Directory Users and Computers using the Run dialog.
Press Windows + R on your keyboard.
The Run dialog box will appear on your screen.
In the Open field, type the following command:
dsa.msc
Click OK or press Enter.
Windows will attempt to launch the Active Directory Users and Computers management console.
If everything is installed correctly, the ADUC window should open.
You’ll usually see your domain listed in the left navigation panel if your computer is connected to an Active Directory environment.
You can expand the domain to view its organizational units, users, groups, and computers, depending on your permissions.
If you receive an error stating that Windows cannot find dsa.msc, check whether the RSAT installation was completed successfully.
6: Open Active Directory Users and Computers From Windows Search
Don’t want to use the Run dialog every time? You can also try opening ADUC through Windows Search.
Click the Search icon on your Windows taskbar.
Type Active Directory Users and Computers in the search box.
Wait for Windows to display the matching application.
If the tool is installed and registered correctly, you should see it in the search results.
Click the application to launch it.
This is particularly useful if you frequently work with Active Directory and don’t want to remember the Run command.
If Windows Search doesn’t display the application, don’t worry. You can still launch it using dsa.msc.
Create a Desktop Shortcut for ADUC
If you regularly manage domain users and computers, creating a desktop shortcut can save you time.
Right-click an empty area of your Windows desktop.
Select New and then click Shortcut.
Windows will open the Create Shortcut wizard.
In the location field, enter:
%SystemRoot%\System32\dsa.msc
Click Next to continue.
Now, enter a name for your shortcut. For example, you can use Active Directory Users and Computers.
Click Finish to create the shortcut.
You’ll now see an ADUC shortcut on your desktop.
Whenever you need to access the management console, simply double-click this shortcut.
Keep in mind that launching the console doesn’t automatically provide administrative permissions. If you need to perform administrative tasks, use an account that has the required domain privileges.
Connect to Your Active Directory Domain
After opening ADUC, you might notice that no domain is displayed or that the console can’t connect to a domain.
This usually happens when your computer isn’t connected to an Active Directory domain or can’t communicate with a domain controller.
If you’re using a workplace computer, contact your IT administrator to confirm that your device has access to the organization’s domain network.
You can also check your domain connection by opening Settings and navigating to System > About.
Look for the domain or workgroup information under ‘Related Device’ or Domain settings, depending on your Windows version.
If your PC is already connected to a domain but ADUC isn’t displaying it, check your network connection and make sure you’re connected to the organization’s network or VPN.
You can also open ADUC, right-click the Active Directory Users and Computers node, and select Change Domain to connect to another accessible domain.
Enter the domain name and click OK.
Once the connection is established, you should be able to browse the available Active Directory objects based on your account permissions.
FAQs
1. Is Active Directory Users and Computers available in Windows 11?
Yes, Active Directory Users and Computers is available in Windows 11 through Microsoft’s RSAT package. However, you must install the required RSAT component before accessing the management console.
2. How do I open Active Directory Users and Computers in Windows?
Press Windows + R, type dsa.msc, and press Enter. This command opens Active Directory Users and Computers if the required RSAT tools are installed.
3. Why can’t I find Active Directory Users and Computers on my PC?
The most common reason is that the RSAT Active Directory tools aren’t installed. Your Windows edition may also be unsupported. Check your Windows edition and install the appropriate RSAT feature.
4. Can I use Active Directory Users and Computers on Windows Home?
Microsoft’s standard RSAT installation method doesn’t support Windows Home editions. You’ll generally need Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Education to install and use RSAT.
5. Do I need an internet connection to use Active Directory Users and Computers?
You typically need an internet connection or access to an appropriate Windows update source to download RSAT. Once installed, you need network connectivity to reach the Active Directory domain controller you’re managing.
6. Can I manage users without administrator permissions?
You can open ADUC using a standard domain account, but the actions you can perform depend on your assigned permissions. For example, viewing certain directory information may be allowed, while resetting passwords or creating users may require delegated administrative rights.
7. What is the command to open Active Directory Users and Computers?
The command is dsa.msc. You can enter it in the Run dialog, Windows Terminal, or Command Prompt to launch the management console.
Summary
Active Directory Users and Computers is an important Windows administration tool that makes managing domain users, groups, and computers much easier.
Although it isn’t installed by default on most Windows client PCs, you can access it by installing the RSAT: Active Directory Domain Services and Lightweight Directory Services Tools optional feature.
Once installed, simply run the dsa.msc command to open the console. You can also access it through Windows Search or create a desktop shortcut for quicker access.
If you’re new to Windows administration, start by exploring the available organizational units, user accounts, and computer objects.
Just remember that managing an Active Directory environment requires the appropriate domain connectivity and permissions.