How to install Telnet via the command line and GUI in Windows 10 and Windows Server

Telnet, developed in 1969, is a protocol that provides a command line interface for communication with a remote device or server, sometimes employed for remote management but also for initial device setup like network hardware. Telnet stands for Teletype Network, but it can also be used as a verb; ‘to telnet’ is to establish a connection using the Telnet protocol

Command Line: The easiest and fastest way to install telnet to a Windows Server is from a command line.

Via Command Prompt (CMD) run the following command below

dism /online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:TelnetClient

Via PowerShell: run the following command below to install Tenet via PowerShell. Running the command below, the success state is True because Telnet has been installed previously.

Install-WindowsFeature -name Telnet-Client

Control Panel: This process is a-bit completed. I will recommend installed telnet via the command line.
– Launch the Control Panel windows as shown below
– Navigate to Program
– Click on Turn Windows Features on or off

On Window 10, This will open up the Windows Feature, 
- Select Telnet client and 
- Click on Ok

Note: On a Server, you will be prompted with the Add Roles and Features wizard as shown below if you launch control panel in Windows Server.

Via Server Manager: This can also be achieved from Server Manager
– Click on Manage
– Click on Add Roles and Features

– Click on Next
– Select Role-based or feature-based installation

On the server selection, you will have to select the server you want to install Telnet on. Since I have only one server, I will click on continue.
– Click on Next

Under the server role, do not select anything as we are only interested in installing a feature.
– Click on Next

Click on Telnet and
– Click on Install and Click on Finish on the result window to complete the Telnet installation.

Note: Because I have had already telnet installed, The install button is grayed out.

To test if Telnet works correctly, see the image below
– Type Telnet and
– Click on Enter on your keyboard