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Add and Remove Roles and Features on Windows Server

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This article applies to the following Microsoft® Windows® Server versions: 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019

This article shows how to install and remove Windows Server roles and features by using Server Manager.

Add Windows roles and features

Use the following steps to add Windows roles and features:

  1. To open Server Manager, click the Server Manager icon in the taskbar or select Server Manager in the Start Menu.

  2. Click Manage in the upper right portion of the screen and click Add Roles and Features to open a wizard.

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You cannot add roles and features until Server Manager finishes loading. Wait until Server Manager loads before you add roles and features.

  1. On the Before you begin page, click Next to begin. You can skip this page in the future by checking Skip this page by default box.

  2. On the Select installation type page, choose Role-based or feature-based installation and click Next.

  3. On the Server Selection page, choose the server to which you want to add the role or feature. In most cases, this choice is the server you are logged in to. Click Next.

  4. Select all desired roles on the Server Roles page. When you add roles, the wizard prompts you to add prerequisite roles and features, if any. After you have selected the desired roles, click Next.

  5. Select all desired features on the Features page and click Next.

  6. Complete the configuration of the selected roles and features and click Next on each screen.

  7. After you complete the initial configuration of the chosen features, the Confirmation page displays and lists a summary of the changes. Verify the changes before proceeding. If you want the server to restart automatically after installation completes, check the box labeled Restart the destination server automatically if required.

  8. Click Install to add the chosen roles and features.

Removing Windows roles and features

  1. To open Server Manager, click the Server Manager icon in the taskbar or select Server Manager in the Start Menu.

  2. Click on Manager in the upper right portion of the screen and click Remove Roles and Features to open a wizard.

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You cannot add roles and features until Server Manager finishes loading. Wait until Server Manager loads before you add roles and features.

  1. On the Before you begin page, click Next to begin. You can skip this page in the future by checking Skip this page by default box.

  2. On the Select Destination Server page, choose the server from which you want to remove the role or feature. In most cases, this is the server you are logged in to. Click Next.

  3. Select roles for removal on the Server Roles page. When you remove roles, the wizard prompts you to remove any roles and features that depend on the role you selected for removal. After you have selected
    the desired roles, click Next.

  4. Select any features for removal on the Features page and click Next.

  5. On the Confirmation page, verify the changes before proceeding. If you want the server to restart automatically after installation completes, check the box labeled Restart the destination server automatically if required.

  6. Click Remove to remove the chosen roles and features.

Updated 4 months ago