Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Windows Admin Center for Server Management

  • Thread Author
Managing servers and clusters can be a Herculean task, especially when you're doing it all manually. Enter Windows Admin Center (WAC), a powerful tool developed to alleviate the administrative burden by providing a graphical user interface (GUI) for managing servers and clusters. Whether you're tasked with monitoring performance, logging events, or managing configurations, WAC makes your life a lot easier. Today, we'll break down how to install and configure this indispensable tool so you can manage your Windows infrastructure with confidence.

What is Windows Admin Center?​

Windows Admin Center, formerly known as Microsoft Project Honolulu, is designed for management efficiency. It is compatible with Windows Server 2012 and newer versions, Azure VMs, and Windows 10 and 11 PCs. Beyond server management, WAC is extensible, meaning third-party developers can enhance its capabilities to suit various server roles and applications. You can manage both physical and virtual machines from a centralized console, whether they're in on-premises data centers or the cloud.

Steps to Install and Configure Windows Admin Center​

To get started, you'll want to follow these three key steps: downloading the utility, accessing the web console, and adding target hosts. Here’s how to do each step:

1. Download and Install the Windows Admin Center Utility​

Most Windows devices do not have WAC preinstalled, so it’s time to download the installation media:
  • Download WAC: Open your web browser and navigate to the Microsoft site. Click on the Download now button related to Windows Admin Center.
  • Installation Steps:
    1. Go to your Downloads folder and double-click the installation media.
    2. A setup window will appear. Tick the box agreeing to the terms and click Next.
    3. You might wish to enable Required and optional diagnostic data—this helps Microsoft improve the application.
    4. Ensure that “Use Microsoft Update when I check for updates” is checked and proceed to the Configure Gateway Endpoint.
    5. Choose a port for WAC; typically, the default is 6516.
    6. Click Install. A User Account Control (UAC) prompt will appear; click Yes to continue.
    7. Wait for the installation to complete and then launch the Admin Center.

2. Access the Web Admin Console​

When you start the Admin Console, you’ll be prompted to select a certificate for authentication. If your organization uses its own certificates, select that; otherwise, choose the standard Windows Admin Center Client:
  • Setting Up:
    1. Select your certificate and click OK.
    2. Allow a few moments for configuration, at which point a welcome screen will appear. You can close this window.
    3. A prompt may appear asking you to update outdated extensions; click Yes and confirm any UAC prompts.
    4. Upon successful installation of updates, confirm with OK.

3. Add Another Target Host​

The Admin Center will initially add your local computer as the default host. To manage other servers, you’ll need to add them:
  • Adding Hosts:
    1. In the Windows Admin Center, click the + Add icon.
    2. In the wizard, select the type of resource you wish to add and click on Add.
    3. Fill in the required details for the server and click Add again.
    4. Finally, refresh the page to register this new host.
With these steps, you have successfully installed and configured Windows Admin Center, making it easier to manage your Windows Server or client machine efficiently.

Additional Resources​

To enhance your understanding and mastery over Windows Server management, consider delving into guides on related topics:
  • Learn How to Configure Data Deduplication on Windows Server to save disk space.
  • Explore How to Connect Windows Server to Azure for hybrid cloud management.
  • Familiarize yourself with Basic Installation Procedures for Windows for a more robust setup of your operating environment.

Conclusion​

Installing and configuring Windows Admin Center is a straightforward process that arms you with a powerful tool for managing your Windows infrastructure. Feeling overwhelmed is a thing of the past as you embrace a more visual and organized means of server management. With WAC in your toolkit, you can focus on optimizing your systems instead of wrestling with command lines. So go ahead, set up your Admin Center, and enjoy a slice of administrative bliss!
This powerful tool transforms your server management experience—allowing more time for what really matters: optimizing and securing your IT environment. Now, who’s ready to dive right in?
Source: The Windows Club How to install and configure Windows Admin Center
 


Back
Top