The Ultimate Guide to Enabling and Using WinRM

Windows Remote Management (WinRM) is a flexible tool that gives IT professionals the ability to execute commands and access devices within their network remotely. 

For managed service providers (MSPs) and IT department employees, using adequate software/tools that keep up with your needs is crucial in running day-to-day operations. An IT professional is only as good as their infrastructure allows them to be, and it’s difficult to maintain efficiency and quick customer support resolution without the proper IT management tools. 

And WinRM is one of these useful IT tools. WinRM gives IT professionals a secure and efficient way to access client devices (usually) without additional software downloads, making it a necessity for an efficient IT support setup.

And combining WinRM with an all-encompassing RMM software like Atera enhances its use with a comprehensive suite of features that seamlessly integrate with WinRM. In this extensive guide, you’ll learn the ins and outs of enabling and using WinRM to streamline IT operations within your organization.

How to enable WinRM

Enabling WinRM is an easy process, but it can be a little bit different depending on which Windows version your target device is on. Here’s your easy-to-follow guide on how to enable WinRM. Just make sure you confirm the right version of Windows.

How to enable WinRM on Windows 10 or 11

• Open up the Command Prompt using the Administrator profile: Right-click the Start menu (Windows icon ⊞ in the toolbar) and select “Command Prompt (Administrator)”, “Terminal (Administrator)”, or “Windows PowerShell (Administrator)”, depending on what options you see.

• Run the Command: 

winrm quickconfig

This command initiates the WinRM service and sets it up with default settings within the system. It will also create a listener to accept requests on any IP address and configure your Windows Firewall to permit any WinRM traffic on the device.

How to enable WinRM on Windows Server 2019

• Open up PowerShell as Administrator by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting “Windows PowerShell (Administrator)”.
• Run the Command:

Enable-PSRemoting -Force 

This command will essentially do the same thing as “winrm quickconfig” does on Windows 10. 

Enabling WinRM on other Windows versions

For Windows 8, Windows 7, and older Windows Server versions, you’ll need to follow a similar process:

• Open Command Prompt or PowerShell as Administrator via the start menu. For some older versions of Windows, you’ll need to use the Windows key (⊞) + x to access the shortcuts Start menu.
• Run the command: 

winrm quickconfig 

This command will configure and setup WinRM on your computer with the default settings.

Troubleshooting common issues

Firewall issues

If you’re having trouble trying to enable WinRM on your Windows computer, it’s possible that your firewall could be blocking WinRM traffic. Check the firewall settings and create an exception to allow WinRM traffic, if necessary.

Service start issues

If the WinRM service fails to start, check the service status and event logs for specific error messages. Restart the service if needed.

Listener configuration

You could also be having issues with the listener, so you’ll want to double-check that the listener was correctly configured. Run this command to verify it’s been set up correctly:

winrm enumerate winrm/config/listener

With these easy-to-follow steps, you’ll be up and running with WinRM in a jiffy. And if you manage a large network of devices, you may want to consider using a remote monitoring and management system so you can do it all from one central place.

How to start WinRM service

If you want to utilize WinRM remotely on your network devices, you’ll need to know how to start WinRM across different devices. Luckily there are a few different ways to do this, using both the Services Manager and PowerShell commands.

How to start WinRM service using the Service Manager

To start the WinRM service, follow these steps:

• Open Services Manager:
• Press the Windows key (⊞) + r, and paste the following to pull up the Service Manager.

services.msc

In the Services window, find and run “Windows Remote Management (WS-Management)”.

• Start the Service:

Right-click on “Windows Remote Management (WS-Management)” and select “Start”.

We also recommend that you set the service to start automatically by right-clicking it, then going to Properties, and setting the Startup type to Automatic.

How to Start WinRM Service Using PowerShell

Another quick and easy way to start WinRM is using PowerShell. Just follow along with these steps:

How to check if WinRM is enabled

Need to confirm that your WinRm remote management capabilities are functioning correctly? You can do that by verifying thatWindows Remote Management (WinRM) is enabled on your system. Let’s walk through the steps to check if WinRM is enabled on a Windows device.

How to check if WinRM is enabled or not with Command Prompt

To determine whether or not WinRM is enabled, you can use either Command Prompt or PowerShell. First, we’ll look at how to check if WinRM is enabled with Command Prompt. Here is the process in a few simple steps… 

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

Right-click the Start menu and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”.

• Run the Command. 

Type the following command and press Enter:

winrm enumerate winrm/config/listener

After entering the command, if WinRM is enabled, you will then see a list of listeners configured on your system.

How to check if WinRM is enabled with PowerShell

In addition to Command Prompt, you can also use PowerShell to verify that WinRM is enabled and ready to use. Here is a step-by-step process to check WinRM status in Windows:

• Open PowerShell as Administrator.

Right-click the Start menu (the Windows icon ⊞ in the toolbar) and select “Windows PowerShell (Administrator)”.

• Run the following command:

Get-Service -Name WinRM

If WinRM is enabled, you should see the status listed as Running.

By following these steps using either PowerShell or Command Prompt, you can easily verify that WinRM is running and enabled on your Windows devices. When you use WinRM with Atera, our real-time alerts will also come in handy here. Atera’s alerts help IT users monitor the status of WinRM and other critical tools, ensuring that your IT infrastructure remains efficient and secure.

How to enable WinRM using PowerShell

Enabling Windows Remote Management (WinRM) using PowerShell is a quick and efficient way to get up and running, especially for all of the IT professionals and managed service providers (MSPs) who are tasked with managing multiple devices. For PowerShell pros and novices alike, here are step-by-step instructions to enable WinRM by using PowerShell. Plus, we’ll share some solutions to common PowerShell-related problems that can occur.

How to enable WinRM PowerShell

How to address common PowerShell-related issues

Although enabling WinRM with the help of PowerShell is generally a user-friendly process, it is always possible that you may encounter some issues. Here are common problems plus the solutions you need to solve them:

Execution policy restrictions

Issue: It’s possible that you might encounter this error if the PowerShell execution policy in place is too restrictive.

Solution: Temporarily set the execution policy to unrestricted by running this command:

Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Scope Process -Force

After enabling WinRM, you can revert to the previous policy.

Service start failures

Issue: In the case of conflicts or missing dependencies, the WinRM service may fail to start. 

Solution: First, ensure that all required services are running. Then, restart the WinRM service by running this command:

Restart-Service -Name WinRM

Firewall blockage

Issue: A firewall can block WinRM traffic, making it impossible for the application to run.

Solution: Manually create firewall rules to allow WinRM traffic by running this command with PowerShell: 

New-NetFirewallRule -Name “Allow WinRM” -DisplayName “Allow WinRM” -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 5985 -Action Allow

These common problems may occur, but with the fixes we have outlined, you should be back in business in no time. Want to enhance your WinRM experience further? Atera’s AI-powered automation further streamline this process, allowing you to deploy WinRM configurations across multiple endpoints effortlessly, which raises the bar for your IT management capabilities.

How to enable WinRM remotely

Enabling WinRM remotely is crucial for any IT professionals who are tasked with managing multiple systems. The process of remotely enabling WinRM allows you to configure remote machines without having to physically access each one, enhancing efficiency and control. So how do you do it? 

Steps to enable WinRM remotely

Follow these steps to find out how to enable WinRM remotely…

• Configure the firewall. 

Open Command Prompt as an Administrator.

Run the following command to allow WinRM through the firewall:

netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group=”windows remote management” new enable=yes

• Set up the TrustedHosts.

In the command prompt, execute:

winrm set winrm/config/client @{TrustedHosts=”*”}

• Replace the asterisk in the script with a specific IP address or range if you want to restrict access.

• Enable and start the WinRM service. 

Run the following command:

winrm quickconfig

Confirm the prompts to make the necessary changes and start the service.

• Configure the WinRM settings.

Ensure WinRM is set to start automatically by running this command: 

sc config winrm start=auto

• Set up group policies when working with multiple endpoints.

Use the “Group Policy Management Console” to create a new policy.

Navigate using the following path: Computer Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Remote Management > WinRM Service.

Enable the policy “allow remote server management” through WinRM.

How to enable WinRM remotely with Atera

All-in-one software platforms like Atera simplify the remote management process with integrated remote access and RMM features. Through Atera, you can enable WinRM remotely without the manual steps, leveraging Atera’s automation and smart scripting capabilities. Follow these steps to enable WinRM remotely using Atera… 

Use Atera’s shared script library:

• Visit Atera’s “Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM)” dashboard.
• Navigate to the script library and select a pre-written script that is made to enable WinRM remotely.
• You can deploy the script across multiple devices with just a few clicks, ensuring that all of your target machines are configured properly with WinRM.

Automate the process:

• Want to routinely run these scripts? You can create IT automation settings within Atera to run these scripts periodically or when specific triggers occur.
• Atera’s real-time monitoring and alerts features track the status and success of these deployments, and you can access these reports through our advanced dashboards in just a few simple clicks. 
• Integration with Atera not only streamlines the process of enabling WinRM but also provides comprehensive visibility and control over your IT environment, making remote management straightforward and efficient​​.

How to install and set up WinRM

As you now know, WinRM is a crucial tool for remote management and allows IT administrators to interact with remote systems effectively and efficiently. Now that we have covered enabling WinRM, let’s take a closer look at the steps on how to install WinRM and how to set up WinRM. 

How to install WinRM

For Windows devices, WinRM comes pre-installed on Windows Vista and later versions, as well as Windows Server 2008 and later versions. For older versions, you can install it via the Windows Management Framework.

Windows Vista and later

WinRM is included by default. Ensure that your system is updated to the latest service pack and that all necessary patches have been deployed.

Windows Server 2008 and later

Similarly, WinRM is included by default. Ensure that your server is updated and ready to run the latest version of WinRM. Conducting routine patch management is part of ensuring your system can handle running these applications without the risk of malware or cyber-attacks. 

Older Windows operating systems

On these operating systems, WinRM is not included by default. But you can still install WinRM. How? Download and install the “Windows Management Framework” from the Microsoft Download Center. This framework includes WinRM.

How to set up WinRM

When you set up WinRM, you need to configure the service and then ensure that it is running correctly. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to set up WinRM.

• Open Command Prompt or PowerShell as Administrator:

Right-click the Start menu and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)”.

• Run quick configuration:

In the command prompt or PowerShell, type the following command and press Enter:

winrm quickconfig

This command performs several actions

• Starts the WinRM service.
• Sets the service startup type to automatic.
• Creates a listener to accept requests on any IP address.
• Configures the firewall to allow WinRM traffic.

• Configure WinRM service:

Ensure the WinRM service is configured to start automatically by running this command:

sc config winrm start=auto

• Set up listeners:

To set up a listener, enter the following command:

winrm create winrm/config/Listener?Address=*+Transport=HTTP

This creates a listener that accepts HTTP requests from any IP address.

• Allow remote management:

Enable the firewall to allow remote management by running this command:

netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group=”Windows Remote Management” new enable=yes

• Configure TrustedHosts:

If you need to allow communication from specific hosts, configure the TrustedHosts setting by running this command and then pressing Enter:

winrm set winrm/config/client @{TrustedHosts=”*”}

• Replace the asterisk in the script with specific IP addresses or ranges as needed.

Troubleshooting common setup issues

Take a look at some of the common setup issues that many individuals run into when installing and setting up WinRM… plus, here are some tips to remedy these problems. 

• Firewall configuration: Ensure that the firewall is not blocking WinRM traffic. Use the netsh command to configure the firewall appropriately.
• Service start issues: If the WinRM service fails to start, check the service status and event logs for specific error messages. You can also restart the service if need be. 
• Listener configuration: If you are having issues with listener configuration, ensure that it is set up correctly by running this command:  winrm enumerate winrm/config/listener.

With these simple steps, you will be able to install and set up WinRM easily on your Windows devices, enabling efficient remote management for you and your team. Atera’s IT automation features simplify this process further by automating the deployment and configuration of WinRM across multiple endpoints, thereby ensuring that your IT infrastructure is managed seamlessly and effectively.

How to restart WinRM service

It is crucial to regularly restart the Windows Remote Management (WinRM) service in order to support the service running smoothly and any changes taking effect. Unsure where to start? Check out these step-by-step instructions on how to restart WinRM service.

Step-by-step instructions: How to restart WinRM service

You can restart the WinRM service using either Command Prompt or PowerShell. Below are the steps for both methods.

Using Command Prompt

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

Right-click the Start menu and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”.

• Stop the WinRM service:

In Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter:

net stop winrm

Wait for the confirmation message that the service has stopped.

• Restart the WinRM service:

After stopping the service and receiving confirmation, type the following command and press Enter:

net start winrm

Wait for the confirmation message that the service has started.

Using PowerShell

• Open PowerShell as Administrator:

Right-click the Start menu and select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)”.

• Restart the WinRM service:

In PowerShell, you can restart the service with a single command:

Restart-Service -Name WinRM

This command will stop and then start the WinRM service in one step, as opposed to the two steps it takes to do the same action with Command Prompt.

Common issues and solutions when restarting WinRM

Here are some of the most common problems users experience when trying to restart WinRM.

Permission Issues

Ensure you are running Command Prompt or PowerShell as an Administrator. You might encounter permission errors if not running with elevated privileges.

Service Not Found

If you receive an error that the service is not found, verify that WinRM is installed and properly configured. Use the following command to check the service status:

Get-Service -Name WinRM

Firewall Settings

Ensure that the firewall settings are not blocking WinRM. Use the following command to verify that the firewall rules are set up correctly:

netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group=”windows remote management” new enable=yes

By following these steps, you should be able to quickly and effectively restart WinRM. For MSPs and in-house IT professionals using Atera, the platform’s automation capabilities make it even easier to manage and restart WinRM services across multiple devices remotely. With easier WinRM usage and reduced downtime, there is no doubt that Atera is the way to go.

How to use WinRM

WinRM, which stands for Windows Remote Management, is a built-in remote management protocol native to Windows devices. To put it simply, WinRM uses Simple Object Access Protocol to interface remotely with computers, servers, operating systems, and applications. 

Here are a few tasks that you can use WinRM to complete: 

• Remotely communicate and interface with hosts through channels and ports that are readily available in your network – think workstations, servers, and any operating system that supports the WinRM service. 
• Remotely execute commands on systems that are network accessible, even if they are not local to you. 
• Remotely monitor, manage, and configure endpoints, operating systems, and client machines even when you are not physically in the same space. 

With WinRM, you can remotely manage a Windows computer – but how do you use WinRM? Basically, you send management commands over HTTP or HTTPS. The remote computer will then execute the commands and will return the results to the originating computer. 

Enhancing the WinRM experience with Atera

To wrap up this comprehensive guide on using WinRM, it’s crucial to highlight how integrating WinRM with Atera can significantly enhance your remote management capabilities. As a robust remote monitoring and management (RMM) platform, Atera offers several features that streamline and optimize the use of WinRM.

Benefits of using WinRM with Atera

Atera integrates seamlessly with WinRM, allowing IT professionals to manage their remote systems more efficiently. By using Atera, you can monitor and manage your entire IT environment from a single, unified interface. Here are some of the key benefits of using Atera and WinRM in tandem… 

Automated setup and configuration

With Atera, you can simplify the process of enabling and configuring WinRM across multiple devices. Atera’s IT automation capabilities allow users to create and run scripts to automatically enable and configure WinRM, ensuring consistent and error-free setups across your network without tons of manual grunt work. 

Centralized management

Atera’s intuitive, easy-to-learn interface allows you to manage all your WinRM-enabled devices from a single dashboard. This centralization makes it easier to keep track of system health, perform updates, and troubleshoot issues without switching between different tools or consoles. Plus, strong reporting adds to the appeal of a centralized platform when you use Atera. 

Advanced troubleshooting tools

Atera provides top-of-the-line troubleshooting tools that enhance your ability to diagnose and resolve issues going on with WinRM. Features like real-time monitoring, alerts, and remote access enable you to quickly identify and address problems, minimizing downtime and improving system reliability. This also makes your systems safer and lessens the risk of a cybersecurity breach. 

Enhanced security and compliance

Using Atera’s patch management and real-time monitoring features, you can ensure that all your WinRM-enabled systems are up-to-date with the latest security patches and compliant with industry standards. This proactive approach helps prevent vulnerabilities and protects your network from potential threats.

Efficient automation

Atera’s IT automation profiles allow you to schedule regular maintenance tasks like system scans, updates, and even specific WinRM checks, to run automatically. This not only saves time but also ensures that your systems are always in optimal condition.

Conclusion

As an IT professional, WinRM is one of those tools that you absolutely need to know how to use. Its simplicity and functionality make it an excellent tool for IT professionals that offer IT support from a distance.

By leveraging a robust set of reporting and RMM features, Atera enhances the overall WinRM experience, making remote management more efficient, secure, and user-friendly. Whether you and your team are managing a small network or a large enterprise environment, Atera’s suite of tools can help you achieve enhanced control and visibility with your IT infrastructure. WinRM and Atera together make a truly winning team. 

To start using Atera, take advantage of your 30-day free trial today! We don’t even require a credit card for you to experience the difference Atera makes in your MSP business or IT department.