How do I add Active Directory to Windows 10?

Adding Active Directory management tools to Windows 10 allows you to administer Active Directory domains, not to directly "add" your Windows 10 computer to Active Directory. You join a domain through System Properties. This guide focuses on installing the Active Directory management tools.

Here's how to install the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) which contain the Active Directory tools on your Windows 10 machine:

1. Open Settings: Click the Start Menu and select the Settings icon (gear icon).
2. Navigate to Apps: In the Settings window, click on "Apps".
3. Access Optional Features: Click on "Optional features" (or "Apps & features" then "Optional features").
4. Add a Feature: Click the "Add a feature" button.
5. Select RSAT Features: Scroll through the list (or use the search bar) and find "RSAT: Active Directory Domain Services and Lightweight Directory Tools".
6. Install the Tools: Click on the selected feature and then click the "Install" button.

After the installation completes, the Active Directory management tools (like Active Directory Users and Computers, Active Directory Sites and Services, etc.) will be available in the Windows Administrative Tools folder. You can access this folder from the Start Menu or by searching for "Administrative Tools" in the Windows search bar.

Important Considerations:

• RSAT Version: Ensure that you download the RSAT tools that are compatible with your Windows 10 version. Generally, Windows Update will handle acquiring the correct version.
• Permissions: You'll need administrative rights on the Windows 10 machine to install RSAT.
• Domain Membership vs. Management: This installs the tools to manage Active Directory. To join your Windows 10 computer to an Active Directory domain, you need to go to System Properties (search for "system" in the Start Menu) and click "Change settings" next to "Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings". Then, click "Change..." and select "Domain" and enter the domain name. You will be prompted for domain administrator credentials.

By following these steps, you can effectively install the necessary tools to manage your Active Directory environment directly from your Windows 10 machine.