Last Updated on April 24, 2026
Managing Windows servers usually means bouncing around between different remote connections all day. Instead of opening multiple Remote Desktop sessions, you can install the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) directly on your Windows 11 computer to manage your network from a single dashboard.
Here is the fastest way to get it set up:
- Open your Windows 11 Settings.
- Go to System and click on Optional Features.
- Click the View features button next to Add an optional feature.
- Type RSAT in the search box.
- Check the box for RSAT: Server Manager and click Next.
- Click Add to finish the installation.
Finding RSAT in Windows 11 Settings
To see this process in more detail, start by heading into your main Windows settings menu. Under the System tab, you will find the Optional Features section. This is where Microsoft hides extra administrative tools that regular home users do not need. Click the View features button to get started.
Once the optional features window opens, simply type rsat into the search bar at the top. This filters out the rest of the list and shows you only the remote administration packages. Locate RSAT: Server Manager, check the box next to it, and click Next.
On the confirmation screen, review what is going to be installed and click the Add button to trigger the download. You can expect the installation process to take a few minutes depending on your internet connection speed.
Once the installation progress bar finishes, the tools are ready to use. You can easily find them by opening your Start Menu and typing Server Manager in the search box.
When you open the Server Manager application, you can immediately begin connecting to your remote servers and adding them to your main dashboard. Just keep in mind you will need the appropriate administrative access rights for your user account to actually manage those remote machines.
What to Do If RSAT Fails to Install
Sometimes Windows 11 gets incredibly stubborn when trying to install optional features. The most common issue IT admins run into is an installation that hangs at the halfway mark or throws an error code like 0x800f0954.
This almost always happens if your computer is connected to a corporate network that uses a WSUS server for Windows updates. The WSUS server blocks the download because it tries to pull the files locally instead of from Microsoft directly.
To get around this, you have to temporarily bypass your local update server. You can do this by opening your Registry Editor and navigating to your WindowsUpdate policy folder. Look for a key named UseWUServer and change its value from a one to a zero.
After restarting the Windows Update service, go back and try installing RSAT again. It should download perfectly. Remember to change that registry key back to a one when you are done so your PC gets its normal security patches.
Which RSAT Tools Should You Add?
The Server Manager is the core dashboard, but you might notice a lot of other RSAT options in that Optional Features list. You do not need to install all of them. Adding everything just wastes hard drive space and clutters your start menu.
Most system administrators only need a handful of specific modules. Active Directory Domain Services is the big one. You need this to unlock the Active Directory Users and Computers console so you can reset passwords and manage user groups.
Group Policy Management Tools is the second most important package, allowing you to edit policies right from your desk. Add those two alongside your Server Manager and you will have everything you need for daily helpdesk tickets.
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