Server Manager isn’t included in Windows 10 by default. To open it, first install RSAT: Server Manager: go to Settings > Apps > Optional features > Add a feature, search for RSAT, check RSAT: Server Manager, and click Install. After it installs, click Start, type Server Manager, and open it. You can also press Windows + R and type ServerManager.
Server Manager on Windows 10 is for managing remote Windows Servers from your PC. It needs Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, version 1809 or later. Here’s how to set it up and connect to your servers.
Step 1: Install RSAT: Server Manager
- Press Windows + I and click Apps.
- Click Optional features, then Add a feature.
- Type RSAT in the search box.
- Check RSAT: Server Manager and click Install.
- Wait for the installation to finish. You can watch progress under Optional features.
Or install it with PowerShell as administrator: Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name Rsat.ServerManager.Tools~~~~0.0.1.0
Step 2: Open Server Manager
- Click Start, type Server Manager, and press Enter.
- Or press Windows + R, type ServerManager, and press Enter.
- Or find it under Start > Windows Administrative Tools.
Step 3: Add servers to manage
- In Server Manager, click Manage > Add Servers.
- Search by name in Active Directory, or use the DNS tab to enter a server’s name or IP address.
- Select the server, click the arrow to add it, and click OK.
If your PC isn’t on the same domain, you may need to add the server to your PC’s TrustedHosts list and use Manage As with an account that has admin rights on the server.
What you can do with Server Manager
- See the health, events, and services of several servers in one dashboard.
- Start other remote tools, like Computer Management and PowerShell, for a selected server.
- Add roles and features to remote servers (some tasks require the server itself to run Windows Server 2012 or later).
Troubleshooting
- RSAT isn’t listed: Check that you have Pro, Enterprise, or Education and version 1809 or later in Settings > System > About. RSAT isn’t available for Windows 10 Home.
- Install fails: Work PCs managed with WSUS may block optional features. Ask your IT department.
- “WinRM negotiate authentication error” or servers show Offline: Make sure remote management is enabled on the server and that firewalls allow WinRM.
Frequently asked questions
Can I run Server Manager on Windows 10 Home?
No. RSAT requires Pro, Enterprise, or Education.
Is Windows Admin Center an alternative?
Yes. Microsoft’s Windows Admin Center is a browser-based tool for managing servers, and it’s often recommended for newer environments.
Does this work on Windows 11?
Yes. In Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Optional features > View features and add RSAT: Server Manager.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.