> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # How to Install Roles and Features on Windows Server > Install roles and features on Windows Server with the Add Roles and Features Wizard in Server Manager or Install-WindowsFeature in PowerShell, then verify them. To install roles and features on Windows Server, open **Server Manager > Manage > Add Roles and Features**, choose **Role-based or feature-based installation**, tick what you need and select **Install**. In PowerShell, run `Get-WindowsFeature` to find the name, then `Install-WindowsFeature -Name Web-Server -IncludeManagementTools`. Add `-Restart` if the role needs a reboot. This works the same on Windows Server 2019, 2022 and 2025. | Difficulty | Time | Works on | Needs | | - | - | - | - | | Beginner | 5 to 15 minutes | Windows Server 2019 / 2022 / 2025 | Administrator account | ## Before you start * Sign in as an administrator with [Remote Desktop](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-connect-to-windows-server-with-remote-desktop.md). * Only install what you use. Every role adds services and sometimes open ports, which means more to update and secure. * Some roles need a restart. Plan it for a quiet time if the server already runs a website or game. ## What is the difference between a role, a role service and a feature? | Term | Meaning | Examples | | - | - | - | | **Role** | A main job the server does for others | Web Server (IIS), DNS Server, DHCP Server | | **Role service** | A part of a role you can add or leave out | ASP.NET or FTP Server inside IIS | | **Feature** | A supporting tool or component | .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Server Backup | ## How to install roles and features with Server Manager **1. Open the wizard** Open **Server Manager** (it starts at sign-in on Desktop Experience, or type `Server Manager` in **Start**). Select **Manage** in the top-right corner, then **Add Roles and Features**. **2. Before You Begin** Read the page and select **Next**. **3. Installation Type** Choose **Role-based or feature-based installation** and select **Next**. (The other option is only for Remote Desktop Services.) **4. Server Selection** Your server is selected already. Select **Next**. **5. Server Roles** Tick the roles you want. When the wizard asks to add required features, select **Add Features**. Select **Next**. **6. Features** Tick any features you want, or none, and select **Next**. Pages for each role's role services follow; keep the defaults if you're unsure. **7. Confirmation** Review the list. Tick **Restart the destination server automatically if required** if a restart now is fine, then select **Install**. **8. Close** When the installation finishes, select **Close**. If a role needs more setup, Server Manager shows a notification at the top; select it to see what. The wizard installs management tools (consoles and PowerShell modules) by default ([Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/server-manager/add-remove-roles-features)). ## How to install roles and features with PowerShell Open PowerShell as administrator: select **Start**, type `PowerShell`, right-click **Windows PowerShell** and choose **Run as administrator**. On Server Core this is the only way, since there is no Server Manager. **1. Find the exact name** ```powershell theme={null} Get-WindowsFeature Get-WindowsFeature -Name Web-* ``` The **Name** column has the value you install, for example `Web-Server` for **Web Server (IIS)**. The **Install State** column shows what's already installed. **2. Preview the install (optional)** ```powershell theme={null} Install-WindowsFeature -Name Web-Server -IncludeManagementTools -WhatIf ``` `-WhatIf` shows what would be installed without changing anything. **3. Install** ```powershell theme={null} Install-WindowsFeature -Name Web-Server -IncludeManagementTools ``` Unlike the wizard, `Install-WindowsFeature` doesn't add management tools unless you include `-IncludeManagementTools` ([Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/servermanager/install-windowsfeature)). To install several at once, separate the names with commas, for example `-Name DNS,DHCP`. **4. Restart if needed** The result shows `Restart Needed`. If it says `Yes`, restart with `Restart-Computer`, or add `-Restart` to the install command next time so Windows restarts on its own. Expected result: ```text theme={null} Success Restart Needed Exit Code Feature Result ------- -------------- --------- -------------- True No Success {Web Server (IIS), ...} ``` ## How to check what is installed ```powershell theme={null} Get-WindowsFeature | Where-Object Installed ``` This lists only the installed roles, role services and features. ## How to remove a role or feature > [tab] Server Manager > > Select **Manage > Remove Roles and Features**, untick the role or feature on **Server Roles** or **Features**, then select **Remove** on **Confirmation**. > [tab] PowerShell > > ```powershell theme={null} > Uninstall-WindowsFeature -Name Web-Server -IncludeManagementTools > ``` > > Add `-Restart` if a restart is needed to finish. > [!WARNING] > > Removing a role stops what depends on it. Removing **Web Server (IIS)**, for example, takes every website on the server offline. Check what the role is used for first, and take a [backup](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-schedule-and-restore-backups.md). ## What if the install says source files could not be found? Some features, such as **.NET Framework 3.5**, aren't stored on the server. By default Windows downloads the missing files from Windows Update. If that fails, point `Install-WindowsFeature` to the installation media with `-Source` (the `Sources\SxS` folder of a mounted Windows Server ISO, or a WIM file such as `WIM:D:\sources\install.wim:2`), or in the wizard select **Specify an alternate source path** on the **Confirmation** page ([Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/server-manager/add-remove-roles-features)). ```powershell theme={null} Install-WindowsFeature -Name NET-Framework-Core -Source D:\Sources\SxS ``` On a VPS you can [mount a Windows Server ISO](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-mount-custom-isos-and-configure-boot-order.md) for this. On a dedicated server, [open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) if you need installation media attached. ## Frequently asked questions ### Which roles should a typical VPS have? Only what it serves. A web server needs **Web Server (IIS)**. A game server usually needs no extra roles at all. Avoid **Active Directory Domain Services**, **DHCP Server** and **DNS Server** unless you know you need them. ### Can I install roles on Server Core? Yes, with `Install-WindowsFeature`. Some roles that depend on a graphical interface aren't available on Server Core; `Get-WindowsFeature` shows what is. ### Do roles need a licence? Most roles are part of Windows Server. **Remote Desktop Services** is the common exception: multi-user Remote Desktop needs RDS client access licences. See [add a Remote Desktop user](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-add-a-user-to-remote-desktop-on-windows-server.md). ### How do I install IIS specifically? See [install IIS on Windows Server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-install-iis-on-windows-server.md). ## Related guides > [card] [VPS and dedicated server guides](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/vps-and-dedicated-server-guides.md) > > Every guide in this section. > [card] [Install IIS](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-install-iis-on-windows-server.md) > > Host websites on Windows. > [card] [Enable OpenSSH Server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-enable-openssh-server-on-windows.md) > > An optional feature, installed differently. > [card] [PowerShell on Windows Server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-use-powershell-on-windows-server.md) > > The basics behind these commands. > [card] [Back up a Windows server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-back-up-a-windows-server.md) > > Before you add or remove roles. *** > [!NOTE] > > **Checked against Microsoft Learn: [Add or remove roles and features](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/server-manager/add-remove-roles-features), [Install-WindowsFeature](https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/servermanager/install-windowsfeature) and [Get-WindowsFeature](https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/servermanager/get-windowsfeature)** on 4 November 2026. Not tested on a live Windows server for this page. > [!NOTE] > > ### Need Extra Help? > > If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist: > > * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website. > * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) > * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting) > * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com) > [!TIP] > > ### Save on Your Hosting > > Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order! *** **Last Updated:** November 2026 This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.