Adding and Removing Roles and Features

Summary

This video tutorial guides viewers on managing server roles and features using Server Manager and PowerShell. It explains the difference between a role, which defines the server's primary function, and a feature, which enhances server capabilities. The video demonstrates adding the DNS server role through Server Manager, including the installation process and necessary features. It also covers the removal of roles and features using both the GUI and PowerShell commands, emphasizing the need for administrative permissions and the potential requirement to restart the server post-removal.

Takeaways

• 🛠️ The script discusses managing server roles and features, highlighting the difference between a role (primary function of the server) and a feature (adds additional abilities to roles).
• ⚙️ Two methods for managing roles and features are presented: through Server Manager and PowerShell.
• 🔄 Server Manager allows for adding and removing roles and features, but these actions cannot be done simultaneously.
• 📡 The script provides a step-by-step guide on how to add the DNS server role through Server Manager, including handling additional required features.
• 💾 The installation process for roles and features can be tracked in the notifications area of Server Manager.
• 🔄 PowerShell is used to remove roles and features, with the script demonstrating how to use commands to list, identify, and remove the DNS role.
• 📝 The script emphasizes the need for administrative permissions when managing roles and features in PowerShell.
• 🔍 The 'get-windowsfeature' command in PowerShell is used to display installed roles and features, and to identify specific ones for removal.
• 🛑 The script notes that removing a feature in PowerShell may require a server restart to complete the process.
• 🔁 The script concludes with a demonstration of how to restart the computer to finalize the removal of a role, showcasing the 'restart-computer' command.

Q & A

What is the difference between a role and a feature in the context of server management?

A role is a primary function that the server performs in the network, while a feature is something installed on the server that adds additional abilities or functionalities to the existing roles.

Why can't you add and remove roles and features at the same time in the Server Manager?

The Server Manager interface is designed to handle adding and removing roles and features as separate processes, likely to avoid conflicts and ensure that each operation is performed correctly and independently.

What is the purpose of the 'Remote Desktop Services' installation type?

The 'Remote Desktop Services' installation type is used specifically for setting up a virtual desktop environment and is not typically used for other types of installations.

How does the installation process work when adding a new role like DNS in Server Manager?

The installation process involves selecting the server, choosing the role to be added, and optionally adding required features. The process may prompt for additional configuration options and then initiates the installation, which can be tracked through notifications.

What happens if additional features are required for a role during the installation process?

If additional features are required, the installation wizard may prompt the user to add these features. The user can choose to add them by clicking 'Next' on the prompt, which will then proceed with the installation including these features.

How can you track the progress of a role or feature installation in Server Manager?

The progress of an installation can be tracked in the notifications area of Server Manager, where the user can see the status of the installation until it is completed.

Why is it necessary to restart the server after removing a role using PowerShell?

Restarting the server is often required after removing a role to ensure that all changes take effect and to complete the removal process properly, especially if the role was in use or if system files were modified.

What command is used in PowerShell to display all installed Windows features and roles?

The command 'Get-WindowsFeature' is used in PowerShell to display a list of all installed Windows features and roles.

How can you remove a specific feature like DNS from a server using PowerShell?

To remove a specific feature like DNS, you can use the command 'Get-WindowsFeature DNS | Remove-WindowsFeature' in PowerShell, which will initiate the removal process for that feature.

What are the aliases for the 'Get' and 'Remove' commands when managing Windows features in PowerShell?

The aliases for 'Get-WindowsFeature' and 'Remove-WindowsFeature' are 'Get' and 'Remove', respectively, which are commonly used for managing Windows features in PowerShell.

Outlines

00:00

🛠️ Managing Roles and Features in Server Manager

This paragraph explains the process of adding and removing roles and features on a server using the Server Manager. It distinguishes between a role, which is a primary function of the server in the network, and a feature, which adds additional abilities to the server. The speaker opts to add roles and features first, specifically choosing to add the DNS server role. The installation process is initiated, and the user is informed that progress can be tracked in the notifications area. The speaker also mentions that the installation may prompt for additional required features. The paragraph concludes with the speaker pausing the video to allow the installation to complete.

05:03

💻 Adding and Removing Windows Features via PowerShell

In this paragraph, the focus shifts to managing roles and features using PowerShell. The speaker explains that in PowerShell, roles and features are referred to as Windows features. The 'Get-WindowsFeature' command is used to display all installed and available features. The speaker demonstrates how to remove the DNS feature using the 'Remove-WindowsFeature' command and emphasizes that by default, admin tools are not removed. The paragraph concludes with the speaker restarting the computer to finalize the removal process, showcasing the use of the 'Restart-Computer' command.

Keywords

💡Server Manager

Server Manager is a tool used in Windows Server operating systems to manage roles and features of the server. It provides a graphical interface for system administrators to configure and maintain server roles and features. In the video's context, Server Manager is used to add or remove roles and features, which are essential for defining the server's functions and capabilities.

💡Roles

In the context of Windows Server, a role refers to a primary function that the server performs within a network. Roles define the server's purpose and the services it provides to the network. For example, a DNS server role is mentioned in the script, which is responsible for managing Domain Name System services within the network.

💡Features

Features in Windows Server are additional software components that provide extra capabilities to the server beyond its primary roles. They enhance the functionality of the server without defining its core purpose. The script mentions that features can be added to a role to increase its capabilities, such as adding the Cluster feature to a server.

💡Add Roles and Features

This is a process in Server Manager where administrators can install new roles or features to a server. The script explains that you cannot add and remove roles and features simultaneously; they are separate processes. Adding roles and features allows the server to take on new responsibilities or improve existing services.

💡Remove Roles and Features

Similar to adding roles and features, this is a process where administrators can uninstall roles or features from a server. The script mentions that this can be done through Server Manager or PowerShell, providing flexibility in management. Removing roles or features can be necessary to free up resources or to repurpose the server for different tasks.

💡Installation Type

The script refers to 'installation type' when discussing the method of adding roles or features. There are two types mentioned: role-based and feature-based installation. The choice of installation type depends on the server's configuration and the specific needs of the environment, such as a virtual desktop environment requiring a different approach.

💡Remote Desktop Services

Remote Desktop Services is a feature mentioned in the script that is used for creating a virtual desktop environment. It allows users to access desktops and applications remotely. The script specifies that this feature is only used if the server is set up for a virtual desktop environment, indicating its specialized use case.

💡PowerShell

PowerShell is a command-line interface and scripting language used for automating system administration tasks in Windows environments. The script demonstrates how to use PowerShell to add and remove roles and features, showcasing its power for server management tasks. It is an alternative to the graphical interface of Server Manager.

💡Get-WindowsFeature

Get-WindowsFeature is a PowerShell cmdlet used to display information about roles and features installed on a Windows Server. The script uses this cmdlet to identify the DNS feature before removing it, demonstrating how PowerShell can be used to query and manage server configurations.

💡Remove-WindowsFeature

Remove-WindowsFeature is a PowerShell cmdlet that is used to uninstall roles and features from a Windows Server. The script shows how this cmdlet can be used to remove the DNS feature, including a discussion on the removal process and the need for a server restart to complete the operation.

💡Restart-Computer

Restart-Computer is a PowerShell cmdlet used to restart a computer. In the script, it is used after removing a role to ensure that the changes take effect properly. This is an example of how PowerShell can be used to perform routine maintenance tasks on a server.

Highlights

Explains the difference between roles and features in server management.

Demonstrates how to add roles and features from the Server Manager interface.

Clarifies that roles are primary functions of the server, while features add additional abilities.

Mentions that DNS is a role because it's a network function, unlike Cluster Server which is a feature.

Discusses the two installation types: role-based and feature-based.

Indicates that Remote Desktop Services is used for virtual desktop environments.

Guides through the process of selecting a server to add roles or features to.

Shows how to add the DNS server role and handle additional required features.

Notes that the installation process can be tracked in the notifications area.

Demonstrates the successful installation of the DNS role and its appearance in the tools list.

Describes the process of removing roles and features from Server Manager.

Switches to PowerShell for role removal, emphasizing the need for administrative permissions.

Lists all Windows features and roles using the 'Get-WindowsFeature' command in PowerShell.

Shows how to identify and remove the DNS feature specifically using PowerShell.

Explains that by default, 'Remove-WindowsFeature' does not remove admin tools.

Details the use of 'Get-Help' to understand options for removing features completely.

Highlights the necessity of restarting the server to complete the removal process.

Summarizes the commands for managing roles and features in PowerShell.

Concludes by demonstrating the restart command to finalize the role removal.

Transcripts

so let's talk about adding and removing

roles and features we'll do that from

server manager well it's one of the two

ways we can do it so I'm going to come

down to manage and here we have add

roles and features and remove roles and

features and notice they're different

that I can't add and remove at the same

time I have to do one in the other so

I'm going to go to add roles and

features first now a difference between

a role in a feature a role is a primary

function that your server is going to do

in your network a feature is something

that's installed on the server that adds

additional abilities or features to your

existing roles so for example cluster

server is not a role it is a feature DNS

is a role because that's a function that

it does in the network for the network

so installation type we have two

different types role or feature-based

installation Remote Desktop Services now

this one the second one you are only

going to use if you are doing a virtual

desktop environment other than that

everything is going to be rolling

feature-based installation so we'll do

that we'll pick the server and if we're

managing multiple servers we will have

multiple servers down here that we can

select which one we want to add our

roles or features to so we've just got

the one so we're gonna go with that

let's add the DNS server role and you

may have something pop-up that has says

you know here are some additional things

you will need for it now in this case

I've done this a couple of times as I've

been working with the server so those

things are already here but you may have

it pop up and say hey do you want to add

these required features as well just

click Next on that box so we'll go next

and we're not going to add any specific

features we do have some notes here on

our DNS server and sometimes for some of

the features you'll have additional

things pop up here additional pages

you'll go through with more

configuration options for the specific

roles and then we are going to install

and this will start our install process

now at this point I can actually in just

a second here now again I can close this

and I will be able to track progress up

here in the notifications area where you

can see our future installation and

you stay there was that one notification

even when it's completed then I'll just

be able to come in here and see that the

installation was successfully completed

so I'm gonna go ahead and pause this

video while while this installation

finishes and then we'll pick it back up

after it's done

okay so we've finished our installation

progress bar comes all the way over

installation succeeded go ahead and

close that we still have our

notification up here which then we can

dismiss this notification right there

and that gets rid of it all right and

now I have DNS and we see DNS pop up

here and here and we see our DNS tool

pop up over here okay so we just added

the feature or the it's not the feature

it's role so this is one way to do it so

I can add and remove from server manager

and to remove I'd go to manage remove

roles and features similar thing and

then I just uncheck I actually don't

want to remove it I want to remove it

from PowerShell so I'm gonna right click

and go to Windows PowerShell admin now

in PowerShell you got to make sure that

you do the admin one so you have

administrative permissions in PowerShell

so in PowerShell it's not referred to as

a role or feature it's referred to as a

Windows feature so I'm going to issue

the command get - windows feature and

this is gonna show me all of my windows

features and roles and you see we're

gonna have an X buy everything here

that's selected now I want to identify

the DNS one specifically I scroll all

the way up here I see DNS has selected I

see the name DNS and it is currently

installed a bunch of other stuff is

listed is available but not installed so

I want to get just that one so I'm going

to do get Windows feature

DNS and that's gonna show me just that

one now I can also take that and pipe

that to remove windows feature and that

will take that one feature and remove it

off of my system and you see here our

progress indicator

named davis starting removal now remove

windows feature by default it doesn't

take out the admin tools and some of

those other features but it does take

out the role and you can do remove

windows feature if you do get help on a

remove windows feature you'll see the

options and will let you take out all of

the tools for it as well but this is how

we can remove a feature from powershell

now i tells us here we have to restart

the server in order to finish the

removal process that's fine by the way

before we do the restart let me do a get

command for the noun windows feature and

that's going to show you all the things

we can do get windows feature add and

remove windows features are normally

what we're gonna do install and install

our the actual command a--let's

but add and remove are the aliases for

them and those are the ones we typically

use okay so now i need to restart my

computer so i'm going to issue the

command restart

- computer and that's gonna restart it

for me so I have removed my role in

PowerShell and restarted the computer to

finish the installation so we have now

seen how we can add and remove roles and

features in both powershell and in

server manager