• ADUC is a tool for managing a computer network by creating, deleting, and modifying user accounts, computers, and groups.
  • You can only install ADUC on a Windows Professional or Enterprise editions.
  • Go to Settings > Apps > Optional Features > View Features, and search & install “RSAT: Active Directory Domain…”

What Is Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) on Windows

Simply put, think about a big address book for a company’s computer network and everything that is a part of it. ADUC is the tool you use to look up and manage entries and activities in that address book.

  • You can create, delete, and modify user accounts. These accounts are used by people to log in to the network and access resources like files and printers .
  • You can manage these accounts, that represent the computers connected to the network.
  • You can organize users and computers into groups, making it easier to manage permissions and access to resources.
  • You can create organizational units to structure and organize your network.
  • You can set permissions and policies for different users and computers. This allows you to control who can do what on the network.

Note : You can install Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows only on the full release of Windows Professional or Windows Enterprise. Otherwise, you will receive a “This update does not qualify for your computer.” message when you try to install it.

Install Active Directory Users and Computers on Windows 11 and 10 Version 1809 and Higher

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your Windows PC.

Step 2: Click on Apps in the side panel and select Optional features.

On Windows 10 , select Manage optional feature > Add feature .

Apps and Optional features - 1

Step 3: Tap on View Features next to ‘Add an Optional Feature’.

View features 1 - 2

Step 4: Search for RSAT .

Step 5: Select RSAT: Active Directory Domain Services and Lightweight Directory Services Tools and click on Next .

Select RSAT - 3

Step 6: Click on Install and wait for the process to be completed.

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Also Read : How to back up the local Group Policy Editor on Windows 11

Install Active Directory Users and Computers on Windows 8 and Windows 10 Version 1803 or Lower

Here’s how to install Active Directory Users and Computers on Windows 8 and Windows 10 version 1803 or lower.

Step 1: You must download and install Remote Server Administration Tools on your Windows PC. Download and install it for Windows 10 , Windows 8.1 , or Windows 8 .

Step 2: Open the Control Panel and select Programs .

Select Programs - 5

Step 4: Under Programs and Features, Select Turn Windows Features on or off .

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Step 4: Scroll down and expand the Remote Server Administration Tools section.

Step 5: Expand Role Administration Tools .

Step 6: Expand AD DS and AD LDS Tools . Ensure that “AD DS Tools” is checked and select OK .

AD DS and LDS - 7

Once you install ADUC on Windows, you can see it as an option under Start > Windows Administrative Tools .

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  • Set the connected printer as default from Windows Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Set as default, and retry printing your file.
  • Rollback the recently installed Windows Update from Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates.

Basic Fixes

  • Reconnect printer : If you’re using a wired printer, its loose USB connection to your PC may result in ‘Printer not activated (Error Code 30)’. Replug the printer and replace its cable if it is worn out.
  • Update the USB drivers : Obsolete USB drivers can create printer connectivity issues. Head to the Device Manager app, expand ‘Universal Serial Bus controllers’, right-click the buggy USB port, and select Update driver.
  • Use the HP Smart app to connect the printer : If your Windows 11 PC doesn’t detect your HP printer , install the HP Smart app from the Microsoft Store, and use it to configure printer settings.
  • Update Windows : Press the Windows + I shortcut to open Settings, select Windows Update from the left sidebar, and install available system updates.

Fix 1: Set the Connected Printer as Default

If your preferred printer isn’t set as default, you may run into the ‘Printer not activated, error code-30’ issue on Windows. Ensure your printer has adequate paper and ink and use the following steps to set it as a default printer:

Step 1: Open Windows Settings using the Windows + I shortcut, select Bluetooth & devices from the left sidebar, and click Printers & scanners .

1 open printers and scanners settings - 8

Step 2: Select your preferred office or home printer.

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Step 3: Ensure the Printer status isn’t Offline and click Set as default to assign it as a default printer for all printing operations.

Tip: If the Printer status is labeled ‘Offline’, check its power source and try reconnecting it to your PC.

3 click set as default - 10

Fix 2: Reinstall Printer Drivers

Corrupt printer drivers can cause unusual printing errors. To fix this, first remove the printer from Windows Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, and re-plug the printer. Then, reinstall the printer drivers using the Device Manager app to restore normalcy.

Step 1: Press the Windows + X shortcut to open the Power User Menu, and select Device Manager .

4 open device manager 1 - 11

Step 2: Expand Software devices , right-click your printer, and select Uninstall device . Restart your PC and let Windows 11 automatically install compatible printer drivers.

5 uninstall the printer driver - 12

Fix 3: Run the Printer Troubleshooter

Do you still face the ‘Printer not activated (Error Code 30)’ message while printing a PDF on Windows 11? Running the in-built printer troubleshooter should fix it in no time.

Step 1: Select Printers & scanners under Windows settings (check the above steps), and click your connected printer.

6 select your printer - 13

Step 2: Select Run the troubleshooter and wait a few seconds to let it resolve the issue.

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Fix 4: Tweak Permission Settings on a Program

If you face the ‘Printer not activated, error code-30’ in a specific app, give it full control over your PC to print files and documents seamlessly.

Step 1: Right-click the app icon and select Show more options .

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Step 2: Select Properties from the right-click context menu to open it.

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Step 3: Open the Security tab and click Edit .

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Step 4: Enable the Allow checkmark beside Full control and click Apply followed by OK to save changes.

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Fix 5: Rollback the Recent Windows Update

Lastly, a buggy Windows Update can malfunction your connected printer showing the ‘Printer not activated (Error Code 30)’ message while initiating a new print. To fix it, rollback the recent Windows Update using these easy steps:

Step 1: Press the Windows key, search Uninstall updates , and click it to open the system settings.

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Step 2: Locate the recently installed Windows Update using the ‘Installed on’ timestamp, and click Uninstall to remove it. Select Uninstall when prompted to confirm the action.

13 roll back the windows update - 20

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