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Please note: Because this is a self-answered question, there is no solution attempt in the question itself.

In my PowerShell scripts I'm using the ActiveDirectory module, which contains the various *-AD* cmdlets such as Get-ADUser.

How can I automate (script) the installation of the ActiveDirectory module on Windows 11?

The answer isn't straightforward, for the reasons detailed in the next section:

Note:

  • This question is on-topic for this site, because it meets 2 of the 3 criteria (whereas meeting only 1 is sufficient): It is about "software tools commonly used by programmers" and it is also about "a specific programming problem" namely how to perform installation of a specific software tool of interest programmatically.

The ActiveDirectory module does not ship with PowerShell, but - unlike most publicly available modules - its on-demand installation can not be scripted via the usual cmdlets, Install-Module or its successor, Install-PSResource, from their (default) repository, the PowerShell Gallery, because the module isn't available there.

Instead, the module is part of the larger, non-PowerShell-specific set of RSAT tools, which comprise many additional components.
(How these tools must be installed has changed over time; there are many older question relating to previous Windows versions that no longer apply; similarly, questions relating to server versions of Windows do not apply, as the installation method differs; there's no question specifically about scripting the installation that I am a aware of.)

The ActiveDirectory PowerShell module documentation as of this writing only provides an abstract pointer (emphasis added):

Starting with Windows 10 October 2018 Update, RSAT is included as a set of Features on Demand right from Windows 10 [and therefore also in Windows 11]. Now, instead of downloading an RSAT package you can just go to Manage optional features in Settings and click Add a feature to see the list of available RSAT tools. Select and install the specific RSAT tools you need.

  • That is, it only mentions a GUI installation and method and even for that it doesn't actually state which tool(s), specifically, you need to select to install the PowerShell module (only).
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  • The question is about installation of a component required for software development (PowerShell scripting) and therefore on-topic for this site. This site is filled with similar questions that aren't closed. It should therefore be reopened. Commented 21 hours ago

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Note:

  • Both installation methods require elevation, i.e. running with administrative privileges, and should work in (the now out-of-support) Windows 10 as well as in Windows 11.

    • If neither method works, the implication is that you're either running a pre-Windows 10 desktop edition of Windows, or a desktop edition that doesn't come with the RSAT tools.

  • Server editions of Windows require a different installation method, which is (also) covered in this helpful woshub.com article.

Programmatic (scripted) installation:

The installation can be scripted via the cmdlets of the Dism module:

#Requires -RunAsAdministrator
Get-WindowsCapability -Name Rsat.ActiveDirectory.DS-LDS.Tools* -Online |
  Add-WindowsCapability -Online

Note:

  • The use of wildcard expression Rsat.ActiveDirectory* to match the component of interest avoids the need to spell the exact name out in full, which would require hard-coding a version number, which you can alternatively do; e.g.:

    Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name Rsat.ActiveDirectory.DS-LDS.Tools~~~~0.0.1.0

  • The -Online switch specifies that the operation should be performed on the currently running operating system (as opposed to an offline operating-system image); it is unrelated to downloading from the internet.

For the sake of completeness:

GUI-based installation:

Note: The name of the relevant feature was gleaned from the RSAT tools documentation.

  • Open the Start Menu and search for Optional Features; the first hit should take you directly to the relevant page in the Settings app.

  • Click on the View Features button - this will trigger a UAC authorization prompt (prompting for elevation)

  • Click on the See available features link.

  • Scroll down to the RSAT: Active Directory Domain Services and Lightweight Directory Services item or type the name (or a distinctive substring thereof) into the search textbox to locate it, then click the entry's checkbox and click Add (1).

    • Here's a screenshot from this helpful woshub.com article; while it is slightly outdated relative to the current Windows 11 experience, it is similar enough:

      • Active Directory module installation
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