How to install the Group Policy Management Console Tools (GPMC) on a Windows Server 2012

Group Policy Management Background

Over the past versions of Windows Server the tools used to manage Group Policy have matured and the names have changed over time. Originally Group Policy was managed with the Active Directory Tools. Next a dedicated Group Policy Management Tool called the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) was released, this tools replaced the functionality in the Active Directory Tools. In Windows Server 2012 the Group Policy Management Tools are simply named Group Policy Management in the Windows Features though what is installed is the Windows Server 2012 version of the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC).

Prerequisites for installing Group Policy Management Console (GPMC)

You will require a Windows Server 2012 computer with the “Graphical Management Tools and Infrastructure” installed to install the Active Directory Management Tools using the Server Manager graphical user interface.

Instructions for installing Group Policy Management

To install Group Policy Management Tools (GPMC) on Windows Server 2012 please follow these instructions.

1. Open the Windows Server 2012 Server Manager Dashboard. If Server Manager does not start by default press the “Windows + R” keys, Type “ServerManager” in the “Open” field and press “Enter” or click the OK button.
2. In the Server Manager main windows, click “Add roles and features”.
3. In the “Add Roles and Features Wizard” under “Installation Type” check the “Role-based or feature-based installation” radio button and click “Next”
4. In the “Add Roles and Features Wizard” under “Server Selection” check the “Select a server from the server pool” radio button, select the server you want to install the Group Policy Management Console Tools (GPMC) on and click “Next”
5. In the “Add Roles and Features Wizard” under “Server Roles” click “Next”
6. In the “Add Roles and Features Wizard” under “Features” scroll down and check “Group Policy Management”. Click “Next” If prompted to install any supporting roles accept the defaults and continue.
7. In the “Add Roles and Features Wizard” at the “Confirmation” page click “Install” to begin the installation of the Group Policy Management Console Tools (GPMC)
8. The installation of the Group Policy Management Console Tools (GPMC) will begin and the progress will be displayed. You may be required to restart the server after the installation is complete.