How to Install Windows Server Roles and Features with PowerShell
Applies to: Windows Server 2019, 2022 and 2025.
ServerManager cmdlets provide repeatable role installation and report whether a restart is required. Install only the approved workload.
Work from console access or a tested recovery path. Changes to remote access, licensing or domain membership can lock out administrators if prerequisites are wrong. Managed Windows VPS options are available at networkmanager.info.
Prerequisites
- Identify exact feature names on the target release.
- Confirm Server Core or Desktop Experience compatibility.
- Take a backup and schedule any restart.
- Record dependencies and management tools.
Step-by-step procedure
Step 1: List roles
Query names and installation state.
Get-WindowsFeatureStep 2: Inspect the target
This example examines File Server.
Get-WindowsFeature -Name FS-FileServerStep 3: Install the role
Add management tools when administrators require them.
Install-WindowsFeature -Name FS-FileServer -IncludeManagementToolsStep 4: Review the result
Read Success and RestartNeeded returned by the cmdlet.
Step 5: Restart when necessary
Use Restart-Computer only inside the approved maintenance window.
Verification
The selected feature should report Installed.
Get-WindowsFeature -Name FS-FileServer
Get-WindowsFeature | Where InstallState -eq 'Installed'Rollback
Use Uninstall-WindowsFeature for the role that was added, after evaluating dependent features and workload data.
Version and operational notes
Role availability differs by release and installation option; always query Get-WindowsFeature on the actual server.
Official references
For managed deployment and support, visit https://networkmanager.info/.
