A Complete Guide to Managing Windows Server Users and Groups

Effective server administration hinges on controlling access and permissions. Properly configuring Windows Server users and groups is not just a best practice; it's a critical security measure that ensures the integrity and stability of your network environment. Whether you're a seasoned system administrator or new to server management, understanding how to handle user accounts is a fundamental skill.

This guide will walk you through the importance of user management, demonstrate the built-in methods for handling local users and groups on Windows Server 2019, and introduce a powerful third-party tool that simplifies the entire process.

Why need to set Windows Server users and groups?

This section explores the fundamental reasons why meticulous user and group management is non-negotiable for a healthy and secure server environment.

Setting up distinct users and groups on a Windows Server is about implementing a robust security and organizational framework. It allows you to enforce the Principle of Least Privilege, a core security concept stating that users should only have access to the information and resources necessary to perform their jobs.

Enhanced Security: By creating standard user accounts and assigning them to specific groups, you limit their ability to install unauthorized software or make system-wide changes. This drastically reduces the server's attack surface and contains the potential damage from a compromised account.

Simplified Administration: Instead of assigning permissions to dozens or hundreds of individual users, you can assign permissions to a group. When a new employee joins, you simply add them to the appropriate group (e.g., "Sales," "Developers," "Marketing"), and they automatically inherit all the necessary permissions. This saves time and reduces the risk of human error.

Clear Auditing and Accountability: When every user has a unique account, their actions can be logged and traced. This is essential for troubleshooting issues, conducting security audits, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.

How to enable Windows Server users and groups

This part of the article will demonstrate the practical, step-by-step methods for creating and managing user accounts and groups on your Windows Server.

Windows Server provides several powerful, built-in utilities for managing user accounts. For administrators who prefer a graphical interface or the power of the command line, there is a native solution available.

Method 1: Using the Local Users and Groups (lusrmgr.msc) Snap-in

This is the most common and straightforward graphical method for managing local users and groups Windows Server 2019.

Step 1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2. Type lusrmgr.msc and press Enter.

Step 3. The Local Users and Groups console will open.

Step 4. In the left pane, you can select the Users or Groups folder.

To add a new user, right-click on the Users folder and select New User.... Fill in the required details like username and password, and set password policies.

To create a group, right-click the Groups folder and select New Group.... Give it a name and add members.

Method 2: Using PowerShell for Scripting and Automation

For administrators who need to manage users in bulk or automate repetitive tasks, PowerShell is the tool of choice.

Step 1. Open PowerShell as an Administrator.

Step 2. To create a new local user, use the cmdlet: $Password = Read-Host -AsSecureString followed by New-LocalUser -Name "Username" -Password $Password -FullName "Full Name" -Description "User Description".

To add a user to a group (e.g., the Remote Desktop Users group), use: Add-LocalGroupMember -Group "Remote Desktop Users" -Member "Username".

While incredibly powerful, PowerShell has a steeper learning curve and isn't as visually intuitive as a GUI-based tool.

Method 3: A Streamlined Solution with AOMEI Partition Assistant Server

This section introduces a professional, all-in-one software that provides an intuitive interface for user management alongside a host of other server optimization features.

While the built-in tools are effective, they can feel dated or overly complex. For a modern, efficient, and user-friendly experience, a specialized server management tool is invaluable. AOMEI Partition Assistant Server is a comprehensive server disk management toolkit that has now integrated a powerful new function for managing Windows Server users and groups.

This feature is designed to provide a seamless and intuitive alternative to the native Windows tools. It consolidates all essential user and group management tasks into a single, clean interface, making it perfect for administrators who value efficiency and clarity.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. Click the "Tools" main tab and select "Users and Groups". 

Step 2. Click the "Users" tab and then click the "New User" button to create a new user account. You can also click the "Refresh" button to refresh the user list.

Step 3. Then, type the appropriate information in the dialog box. You can enter the name and description and set a password for the new user. And, you can select or clear the check boxes for: User must change password at next logon, Account is disabled, User cannot change password, Password never expires.

Step 4. After all is set, click "Create" to create the new user.

Step 5. Finally, you can see the user is created successfully in Windows Local Users and Groups. And, you can also easily manage the new user account.

Beyond this fantastic user management feature, AOMEI Partition Assistant Server offers other essential functions for server administrators, including:

Migrate OS to SSD/HDD: Seamlessly move your server's operating system to a new drive without reinstallation.

Disk Partition Management: Extend, shrink, merge, and split partitions without data loss to optimize disk space.

RAID Recovery: Rebuild and recover data from broken RAID arrays.

Convert Disk Style: Convert disks between MBR and GPT without deleting partitions.

To sum up

Managing Windows Server users and groups effectively is a blend of using the right tool for the job. The classic lusrmgr.msc offers reliable GUI control, while PowerShell provides unmatched power for automation and bulk operations. However, for those seeking a modern, all-in-one solution that simplifies user management and provides a wealth of other critical server maintenance tools, AOMEI Partition Assistant Server presents a compelling and highly efficient alternative.