How to Install Telnet on Windows 10 and 11

Cloudtechtiq January 17, 2025

0 399 4 minutes read

Telnet is an old network protocol that allows a user to connect to remote machines over a network, typically for administrative purposes. While it’s largely been replaced by more secure methods such as SSH (Secure Shell), Telnet still has some use cases, particularly in network diagnostics, testing ports, and interacting with legacy systems.

However, Telnet Client is not enabled by default on Windows 10 or Windows 11, so if you need it for any reason, you will have to manually install or enable it. In this guide, we’ll walk you through several ways to enable or install telnet on Windows 10 and 11.

Why Would You Use Telnet on Windows?

Despite being considered insecure due to its lack of encryption, Telnet can still serve some purposes:

Testing network ports: You can use Telnet to see if a specific port is open on a remote server.
Troubleshooting network issues: Telnet can help verify that certain network services (like HTTP, SMTP, etc.) are available and responsive.
Legacy devices: Some old network devices, routers, and equipment still rely on Telnet for configuration.

While it’s a good idea to avoid using Telnet for secure connections, it’s still useful in controlled environments or for quick, low-risk tasks.

Now, let’s look at how to get Telnet running on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 system.

Step-by-Step Guide to Install Telnet on Windows

Method 1: Enabling Telnet Through Windows Features

Both Windows 10 and 11 allow you to install the Telnet Client via the built-in Windows Features tool. Here’s how to do it:

Open the Windows Features Panel

Press the Windows key on your keyboard or click the Start menu.
Type “Windows Features” in the search bar and select Turn Windows features on or off from the results.

Enable Telnet Client

In the Windows Features window, scroll down the list of features until you find Telnet Client.
Check the box next to Telnet Client.
Click OK to begin the installation.

Wait for the Installation

Windows will automatically install the necessary components for Telnet. The process should only take a few moments.

Confirm Installation

Once the installation is complete, open the Command Prompt to confirm that Telnet is working.
Press Windows + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.
In the Command Prompt, type:
If Telnet is enabled, you will see a message like Microsoft Telnet>, indicating the client is active.

Method 2: Installing Telnet Using Command Prompt (Advanced Users)

For users who prefer using command-line tools, DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool) is another way to enable Telnet.

Open Command Prompt with Admin Rights

Press the Windows key, search for cmd, then right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.

Run the DISM Command

In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
This will enable the Telnet Client feature on your system.

Verify Telnet Installation

After the process is complete, type telnet in the Command Prompt again to verify that the Telnet client is installed.

Method 3: Using PowerShell to Enable Telnet

If you’re familiar with PowerShell, you can also install Telnet through this interface. Here’s how:

Open PowerShell as Administrator

Press Windows + X, then select Windows PowerShell (Admin).

Run the PowerShell Command

In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter:

Wait for the Installation

PowerShell will process the command and install the Telnet client. Once it’s done, you should see a confirmation message.

Check if Telnet Works

After installation, check if Telnet is working by typing Telnet in PowerShell or Command Prompt.

Method 4: Using a Script (For Advanced Users)

For those who want to automate the process, you can create a simple script that uses PowerShell or DISM commands to enable Telnet.

Here’s a quick script to install Telnet via PowerShell:

This method can be particularly useful if you need to deploy Telnet installation across multiple machines in an automated manner.

Using Telnet Once It’s Installed

Once Telnet is enabled, you can begin using it to test network connectivity and interact with remote servers. Here are a couple of simple examples to get you started.

Example 1: Testing Connectivity to a Website

Let’s say you want to check if a web server is accepting requests on port 80 (the default HTTP port). Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and type the following command:

If the server responds, you’ll get a blank screen or a server greeting message, indicating that the connection was successful. If the port is closed or unreachable, you’ll see an error message.

Example 2: Checking Email Server Availability

If you’re troubleshooting email issues, Telnet can be used to check if an SMTP server is accessible on port 25. For instance:

A successful connection will return a response from the server, while an error message will indicate connectivity issues.

Example 3: Sending Raw HTTP Requests

You can also use Telnet to manually send HTTP requests to a web server. For example:

Press Enter twice after typing the command. You should receive the HTTP response from the server, including headers and the requested content.

Check Also:-

Things to Keep in Mind

Security Concerns: Telnet is not encrypted, meaning any data sent (including passwords) can be intercepted easily. Therefore, it should only be used in trusted, secure environments. For remote server administration, consider using SSH, which provides encryption and a higher level of security.
Firewalls: Ensure that your firewall is configured to allow Telnet traffic. If you can’t connect to a remote server, it might be due to firewall rules either on your machine or on the server you’re trying to access.
Telnet Alternatives: Telnet has largely been replaced by more secure protocols like SSH. If you’re working in environments where security is a concern, it’s highly recommended to use SSH for remote connections.

Telnet remains a useful tool for network troubleshooting, testing open ports, and connecting to legacy systems, but it should only be used for non-sensitive tasks due to its lack of encryption. Whether you need it for troubleshooting, remote device management, or quick network diagnostics, Installing Telnet on Windows 10 and 11 is a simple process that can be done in several ways, depending on your preferences.

While this tutorial covered four main methods for enabling Telnet, always keep in mind that using more secure alternatives like SSH is recommended when security is a priority. If you only need Telnet for basic tasks, though, the steps above will get you up and running in no time.