How to Install Telnet via CMD or PowerShell in Windows 11

Telnet is a versatile network protocol that allows you to remotely access and manage devices over a network. It is essential for network administrators and IT professionals who need to perform various network tasks or troubleshoot connectivity issues. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to install Telnet using command line via CMD or PowerShell in Windows 11 or 10.

Also see: How to Remote Desktop Over The Internet in Windows 11

Page Contents

What is Telnet?

Telnet (short for Teletype Network) is a text-based, client-server protocol that was developed in the late 1960s. It allows users to remotely access and manage devices over a network using a command-line interface. Though Telnet has been largely replaced by more secure alternatives such as SSH (Secure Shell), it is still used in specific cases, especially for local network management and testing purposes.

It’s essential to note that Telnet does not encrypt communication between the client and server, making it vulnerable to eavesdropping and other security risks. As a result, it is crucial to use Telnet only in secure environments or for local testing purposes.

Typically, users enable the Telnet client in Windows 11 or Windows 10 through the “Turn Windows features on or off” window, accessible via the Control Panel or Settings. This graphical interface allows users to easily enable or disable various Windows features, including the Telnet client, with just a few clicks.

Enable Telnet Windows features

However, there are situations where installing the Telnet client through the command line might be preferred or necessary. For example, system administrators who manage multiple machines might find it more efficient to use command-line tools like CMD or PowerShell for remote installations or scripting purposes. Additionally, using the command line can be a more straightforward process for advanced users who are already familiar with the command-line interface and prefer to avoid navigating through the graphical user interface.

Prerequisites

Before installing Telnet on your Windows 11 computer, ensure that you have Administrator privileges. You will need this access to modify system settings and install features.

Useful tip: Run CMD, PowerShell or Regedit as SYSTEM in Windows 11

Step 1: Open Command Prompt (CMD) or PowerShell with administrator privileges

To install Telnet, you can use either the Command Prompt (CMD) or PowerShell. Both tools provide a command-line interface and are capable of executing the necessary commands. Here’s how to open either of these tools with administrator privileges:

Press the Windows key to open the Start menu.
Type CMD or PowerShell in the search bar.
Right-click on the appropriate search result and select Run as administrator. This action opens the Command Prompt or PowerShell with administrator privileges, allowing you to make system-level changes.

Command Prompt Run as Administrator

Step 2: Install Telnet client using command line

Once you have opened the Command Prompt or PowerShell, enter the following command to install the Telnet client on your Windows 11 system:

dism /online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:TelnetClient

Install Telnet CMD Windows 11

This command instructs the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool to enable the Telnet Client feature on your Windows 11 computer. You may see a progress bar, and once the process is complete, you will receive a message stating that the operation completed successfully.

Suggested resource: How to Check Who is Logged in Remotely or Locally on Windows 11

Step 3: Verify Telnet installation

To ensure Telnet has been installed correctly, you can perform a simple test by entering the following command in the Command Prompt or PowerShell:

telnet

If Telnet is installed correctly, you will see the following message:

Welcome to Microsoft Telnet Client
Escape Character is 'CTRL+]'
Microsoft Telnet>

You can now exit the Telnet client by typing quit and pressing Enter.

Install Telnet PowerShell Windows 11

Step 4: Using Telnet

With Telnet installed, you can begin using it to connect to remote devices. The syntax for using Telnet is as follows:

telnet <hostname> <port>

Replace <hostname> with the IP address or domain name of the remote device you want to connect to, and <port> with the port number you want to use for the connection.

For example, to connect to a remote device with the IP address 192.168.1.10 on port 23, you would enter the following command:

telnet 192.168.1.10 23

Using Telnet Client in Command Prompt

If the connection is successful, you will be prompted to enter your credentials (username and password) for the remote device. After entering the correct credentials, you will have access to the remote device’s command-line interface and can execute commands as if you were working directly on that device.

Keep in mind that since Telnet communication is unencrypted, it’s essential to use it only in secure environments or for local testing purposes.

Step 5: Uninstall or disable Telnet

If you no longer need Telnet or want to remove it for security reasons, you can easily uninstall or disable the feature using CMD or PowerShell. To do this, follow these steps:

Open the Command Prompt or PowerShell with administrator privileges, as detailed in Step 1.
To disable the Telnet Client feature, enter the following command:
```
dism /online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:TelnetClient
```
This command instructs the DISM tool to disable the Telnet Client feature on your Windows 11 computer. You may see a progress bar, and once the process is complete, you will receive a message stating that the operation completed successfully.
To verify that the Telnet client is disabled, enter the following command:
```
telnet
```

If the Telnet client has been disabled successfully, you will see an error message indicating that ‘telnet’ is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program, or batch file.

Summary

In this comprehensive guide, we covered the installation, usage, and uninstallation of Telnet using command line through Command Prompt or PowerShell in Windows 11. While Telnet is an older protocol with security vulnerabilities, it can still be useful in certain situations, particularly for local network management and testing purposes.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can install, use, and disable Telnet on your Windows 11 system as needed. Remember to use Telnet responsibly and only in secure environments to protect your data and network from potential security risks.