How to manage Windows Server 2008 in Server Manager

The new server manager in Windows Server 2012 can also manage Windows Server 2008. This is how you set it up in 3 simple steps:

Windows Server 2008 with SP2 and Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1

1. Install .NET Framework 4.0 (Download from Microsoft)
2. Install Windows Management Framework 3.0 (Download from Microsoft)
3. Run the following command in powershell to enable and configure Windows Management Framework “winrm quickconfig“

Your server is now ready to be managed and you can add it in server manager. If you do not run step 3, you will get an error message stating that “Online – Verify WinRM 3.0 service is installed, running and required firewall ports are open”.