How to Install Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) on Windows Server 2019

 

Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) allows you to create and manage a domain-based network. Here’s how to install and configure it on Windows Server 2019.

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📦 Step 1: Install AD DS Role

✅ Using Server Manager (GUI)

1. Open Server Manager
2. Click Manage > Add Roles and Features
3. In the Before You Begin screen, click Next
4. Choose Role-based or feature-based installation > click Next
5. Select your server > click Next
6. Under Server Roles, check Active Directory Domain Services
• Click Add Features if prompted
7. Click Next until the Confirmation page
8. Click Install
9. Wait for installation to finish, then click Close

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💻 Using PowerShell

#powershell

 Install-WindowsFeature -Name AD-Domain-Services -IncludeManagementTools

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⚙️ Step 2: Promote the Server to a Domain Controller

✅ Using Server Manager (GUI)

1. After installation, click Promote this server to a domain controller (appears in Server Manager)
2. Choose one of the following:
• Add a new forest (if setting up a brand-new domain)
• Add a domain controller to an existing domain (if joining an existing domain)
3. If creating a new domain, enter the Root domain name (e.g., example.local)
4. Set Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) password
5. Click Next through the remaining steps (leave default settings if unsure)
6. Click Install
7. The server will automatically reboot after promotion

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💻 Using PowerShell (New Forest Example)

#Powershell

Install-ADDSForest -DomainName "example.local" -DomainNetbiosName "EXAMPLE" -SafeModeAdministratorPassword (ConvertTo-SecureString "YourDSRMpassword" -AsPlainText -Force) -Force

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✅ After Installation

• Log in using the domain credentials (e.g., EXAMPLE\Administrator)
• Use Active Directory Users and Computers to manage users, groups, and OUs
• Use DNS Manager to configure DNS settings if needed

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🎯 Summary

Task	Method
Install AD DS Role	Server Manager or PowerShell
Promote to Domain Controller	Wizard in Server Manager or Install-ADDSForest cmdlet
Required Info	Domain name, DSRM password
Reboot Required?	✅ Yes

 

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