This project documents my initial Windows Server installation and the steps I took to install and configure Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), including promoting the server to a domain controller.
- Active Directory
- CMD
- VMware Workstation Pro
- Windows Server 2025
- VMware Workstation Pro 25H2: Download here
- Windows Server 2025 ISO (64-bit): Download here
Diagram showing what I'll be doing in this first lab:
(insert flow diagram here)
I started by renaming the server to something clear, since the default name is usually random and meaningless (e.g. WIN-K3J9XYZ), whereas a name like FileServer01 instantly tells you its function. It's important to do this before promoting the server to a domain controller, since renaming it afterward is a much bigger headache.
You must restart the VM for the rename to take effect.
To confirm the change took effect, open Command Prompt (type cmd in the search bar) and run:
hostnameIt should return FileServer01.
Before doing anything else, it's important to fully patch the server so it's stable and secure. Updates often require multiple reboots, so you don't want one interrupting you mid-way through configuring the domain.
Go to Settings > Windows Update and make sure the server is fully up to date.
Remote management is important for servers so you can manage them without logging in directly — you can administer the server from any computer on the network.
To enable it, open Server Manager, click Local Server in the left-hand pane, and confirm Remote Management is enabled.
Open Server Manager, click Add roles and features in the top right, and click Next until you reach Server Roles. Check Active Directory Domain Services.
Click Next until you reach Install.
Don't close the wizard once installation finishes — the next step (promoting the server to a domain controller) appears affter.
Once installation completes, click Promote this server to a domain controller.
In the new window, select Add a new forest and enter a domain name. Since this is a home lab, avoid using a real domain name — something like homelab.local works well.
Double-check your spelling here. A small typo such as
.lcoalinstead of.localcan be a real pain to fix later.
Confirm Windows Server 2025 is selected as the forest/domain functional level.
Choose a Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) password and store it somewhere safe — don't rely on memory alone.
Click Next through the remaining screens until Review Options, and take a moment to confirm everything — especially the domain name — is correct.
All prerequisite checks should pass:
If you see an error here, go back a step and forward again — sometimes the prerequisite checks just need a second pass to clear.
You'll then see a sign-out notice. Click Close.
After the server reboots, it should now show as a domain controller, with the domain name visible in Server Manager.
