Active Directory Basics

Step 2 — Install Active Directory Domain Services

In this step, you will install the Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) role. You are not creating a domain yet — that happens in the next step.

What’s happening in this step

You are installing the AD DS binaries and management tools. No domain, forest, DNS configuration, or authentication changes occur yet.

1. Connect to the Server

  • Use Remote Desktop (RDP) to connect to the server
  • Log in with the local administrator account you created earlier

2. Open Server Manager

  • Server Manager should open automatically after login
  • If not, open it from the Start Menu

3. Add Roles and Features

  1. Select Add Roles and Features
  2. On the Before you begin screen, select Next
  3. Select Role-based or feature-based installation
  4. Select the local server (default)

4. Server Roles

  • Check Active Directory Domain Services
  • When prompted, select Add Features

No additional roles are required at this stage.

5. Features

  • Leave all features at their default selections

6. AD DS Information

  • Review the information page
  • Select Next

7. Confirmation

  • Confirm the role selection
  • Select Install

Wait for the installation to complete. The server does not need to reboot yet.

8. Important Notes

  • Do not click Promote this server to a domain controller yet
  • Do not create a domain or forest in this step
  • No domain name or DSRM password is set here

You will promote the server and create the domain in the next step.

Checkpoint

  • AD DS role shows as installed in Server Manager
  • No domain has been created yet
  • Server Manager shows a notification to Promote this server to a domain controller

If you see the promotion option, you’re ready for the next step.