This one goes out to you help desk or administrators that would typically use the Active Directory administrative console to add/remove users and computer accounts, reset passwords, or any other administrative function that is performed via Active Directory.

Those of you might be accustomed to using this admin tool from a Windows XP computer that essentially ‘remotely’ connects to the domain controller. Why you ask? Well, you don’t want an administrator at this level logging directly into the domain controller when performing simple admin functions. Mistakes happen…the server could get accidentally rebooted during core hours…dumber things have happened…either way only certain individuals should be perusing around on a server of this importance anyways.

So how do you get this adminpak.msi installed on the workstation at your desk? Remember from Windows NT to Windows 2003 server, the administration tool to manage users/groups are typically located somewhere on a server deep into a Windows directory.<it did not HAVE to be a domain controller> This is normally the location where you can find the installation file for adminpak.msi: Look in this directory of a server c$\WINDOWS\system32\adminpak.msi

Now if your client workstation is Vista or above, it doesn’t work the same way. You must first install this .exe file (KB941314 from this location)

After installing this patch, you must go into Start-control panel.

Then double-click Programs and features.

Click Turn windows features on or off on the left-hand column to get here:

<Typically you will have to enter your administrator credentials before getting here>

Expand remote server administration tools

Expand role admin tools and it looks like this:

Check active directory domain services tools and active directory lightweight directory services tools

Click ok and let the installation run:

You will not receive a 'install successful' or anything like that when it's complete.

You can verify the admin tools installed by going to this location and verifying this short cut exists:

*You are now ready to administer Active Directory from your workstation that is post Windows XP OS i.e. Windows Vista and beyond. Be careful!

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