How to Setup Domain Controllers on Windows Server 2025 - Part 2

Install the Active Directory Domain Services Role

1. Open Server Manager.
2. Navigate to Manage > Add Roles and Features.
3. Skip the first page of the wizard.
4. Select Role-based or feature-based installation.
5. Ensure you are installing the role on your server.
6. Select the Active Directory Domain Services role.
7. Skip the features selection.
8. Select Restart the destination server automatically if required, then click Install to install the AD DS role.

Promote the Server to a Domain Controller

1. Click Promote this server to a domain controller.

2. Select Add a new forest and enter your desired domain.

   Warning:
   It is not recommended to use a .local domain for several reasons. Microsoft recommends using a fully-qualified domain name (FQDN) such as coldogstudios.com. However, if your domain has an internet presence, use a subdomain such as ad.coldogstudios.com to prevent DNS issues.

3. Enter a strong password for the Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM). Ensure you store it in a safe place in case you need to restore the domain.
4. Skip DNS delegation unless you have specific DNS requirements.
5. Enter your desired NetBIOS name.
   • If using a subdomain (e.g., ad.coldogstudios.com) and you want your actual domain name (coldogstudios.com) to show, enter COLDOGSTUDIOS.
6. You can change the default paths for the AD DS database, log files, and SYSVOL.
   • If you change these paths, document them carefully, as most online resources reference the default paths.
7. After the prerequisites have been checked, click Install to promote the server to a domain controller.

Resources

• Microsoft Domain Naming Conventions: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/active-directory/naming-conventions-for-computer-domain-site-ou#domain-names