How to Enable Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) on Windows Server 2022

Step 1: Open Server Manager

• Press the “Windows” key and type “Server Manager” to open the application.
• Once Server Manager is open, click on “Add roles and features”.

 

Step 2: Add Roles and Features Wizard

• In the “Before You Begin” screen, click “Next”.
• Select “Role-based or feature-based installation” and click “Next”.

 

Step 3: Select Destination Server

• Choose the server you want to install AD DS on from the server pool and click “Next”.

 

Step 4: Select Server Roles

• In the “Select server roles” screen, check the box for “Active Directory Domain Services”.
• A pop-up window will appear to add required features. Click “Add Features” and then “Next”.

 

Step 5: Add Features

• In the “Select features” screen, you can add additional features if needed, but for AD DS, just click “Next”.

 

Step 6: AD DS Overview

• Read the information about AD DS and click “Next”.

 

Step 7: Confirm Installation Selections

• Review your selections and click “Install”. The installation process will begin.

 

Step 8: Promote the Server to a Domain Controller

• Once the installation is complete, click on the “Promote this server to a domain controller” link.
• In the “Deployment Configuration” screen, select “Add a new forest” and enter your “Root domain name”. Click “Next”.
• Choose the “Forest functional level” and “Domain functional level”. Set a “Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) password” and click “Next”.
• Continue through the wizard, accepting the default settings or making changes as needed. Click “Next” until you reach the “Prerequisites Check” screen.
• After the check completes successfully, click “Install”.

 

Step 9: Complete the Installation

• The server will restart automatically to complete the installation.
• After the restart, log in with your domain credentials.
• Open “Server Manager” and verify that AD DS and DNS are installed and configured correctly.

 

Step 10: Verify AD DS Installation

• Open “Active Directory Users and Computers” from the “Tools” menu in Server Manager.
• Ensure that your domain and organizational units (OUs) are correctly displayed.

By following these steps, you will have successfully enabled Active Directory Domain Services on your Windows Server 2022. This setup allows you to manage users, computers, and other resources within your network efficiently.

 

You can also watch the below YouTube video to learn on How to Enable Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) on Windows Server 2022

 

Feel free to ask if you need further assistance or have any questions!