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To manage a workgroup server in Server Manager, enable remote management on the target, add its name to TrustedHosts on the computer running Server Manager, check WinRM firewall and network access, and connect with an account that has the necessary rights. Keep the trust entry and firewall scope limited to the computers you intend to manage: a TrustedHosts entry does not authenticate the remote computer.
Before you begin
Microsoft lists Server Manager applicability for Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025. Older versions may need additional updates or version-specific steps. Confirm the target version and that you can sign in with an account permitted to configure it.
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This procedure is for workgroup or otherwise untrusted servers where NTLM/workgroup authentication applies. Domain-joined servers using Kerberos have a different trust context; do not assume the workgroup TrustedHosts step is required for them. Server Manager communicates through WinRM for the relevant settings, not every remote-management component: its remote-management configuration does not change components that use DCOM.
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Remote management must be enabled on the server you want to manage. On that target, choose either the Server Manager interface or an elevated command prompt.
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Use the Server Manager interface
- Open Server Manager on the target server.
- Select Local Server.
- Select the Remote management property and enable remote management.
Use the command line
In an elevated command prompt on the target, run:
Configure-SMremoting.exe -enable
To inspect or disable this setting later, use Configure-SMremoting.exe -get or Configure-SMremoting.exe -disable, respectively.
Add the workgroup server to TrustedHosts
On the computer running Server Manager, open an elevated PowerShell session and append the target’s name to the client-side TrustedHosts list. Microsoft’s documented example is:
Set-Item wsman:localhostClientTrustedHosts Server01 -Concatenate -Force
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Replace Server01 with the target server’s name. The -Concatenate option preserves existing entries; avoid replacing the list with a single host unless that is intentional.
TrustedHosts is not mutual authentication. Microsoft warns: “The computers in the trusted hosts list aren’t authenticated. The client might send credential information to those computers.” Add only the hostnames or addresses needed for the task, and use a broad wildcard such as * only if you have a deliberate, controlled reason.
Check firewall, network, credentials, and WinRM
Confirm the target’s network and firewall conditions
Check whether the management computer and target are on the same subnet or whether the target uses a Private network profile. If neither condition applies, Microsoft’s guidance is to explicitly permit the relevant remote computers in the target’s inbound Windows Remote Management (HTTP-In) firewall rule. Limit the allowed sources to intended management clients where practical.
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Use an account with rights on the target
Connect with credentials that are valid on the remote server and have sufficient permissions. Microsoft’s workgroup troubleshooting guidance identifies membership in the target’s local Administrators group and, for some scenarios, the Remote Management Users group. The required rights depend on the management operation.
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Server Manager expects default WinRM listener settings. Microsoft documents HTTP port 5985 and HTTPS port 5986 as the WinRM defaults. A changed listener port or default authentication mechanism can prevent communication, so verify the target’s actual listener, authentication, firewall, and policy configuration rather than assuming defaults.
Add the server and verify manageability
- In Server Manager on the management computer, add the target server to the server pool using its name or address.
- Supply credentials appropriate to the target if prompted.
- Open All Servers and refresh the view.
- Inspect the server’s manageability status and confirm Server Manager can collect data.
Troubleshoot “Credentials not valid” or failed data collection
If Server Manager reports Credentials not valid or cannot collect data, work through the settings that govern the connection rather than repeatedly retrying the same credentials.
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- Confirm remote management is enabled on the target.
- For workgroup/NTLM access, confirm the target is in the management computer’s TrustedHosts list.
- Check the target’s firewall rule, source restrictions, network profile, and subnet relationship.
- Verify the account format, password, and membership in the target groups needed for the attempted operation.
- Confirm the WinRM listener, authentication method, and port match the environment’s configuration.
- Refresh All Servers and recheck manageability status after correcting a setting.
What Server Manager can manage
Server Manager can add remote servers to a managed pool, organize them into custom server groups, manage supported roles and features, and launch tools such as PowerShell and MMC snap-ins. Some operations are administrator-only; Microsoft also documents ways to grant standard users access to selected inventory and event, service, or performance data.
Windows Admin Center is a related, more modern evolution of in-box tools such as Server Manager and MMC, but it is not required for this Server Manager setup.
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