How to Install Active Directory in Windows Server 2012

Verified and Tested 03/12/2015

Introduction

This How-To will walk you through Installing Active Directory in Windows Server 2012. Active Directory also known as AD, is a service that comes with many Windows Server Operating Systems. It is used to manage Domain Networks distinguishing an administrator user and normal users. This is done by verifying the specified security boundaries and policies in place for each user to maintain the Network secure and restricted.

Prerequisites

– A Server with Windows Server 2012. If you do not have a server already, you can visit our Cloud Hosting page and spin a new server up in under 30 seconds.

Installing Active Directory on Windows Server 2012

Open the Server Manager from the taskbar.

From Server Manager Dashboard, select Add roles and features. This will launch the Roles and Features Wizard allowing for modifications to be performed on the Windows Server 2012 instance.

 

Select Role-based or feature-based installation from the Installation Type screen and click Next.

 

By default, the current server is selected. Click Next to proceed to the Server Roles tab.

 

From the Server Roles page, place a check mark in the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. A notice will appear explaining that additional role services or features are also required to install domain services, click Add Features.

 

Review and select optional features to install during the AD DS installation by placing a check in the box next to any desired features; Once done click Next.

 

Review the information on the AD DS tab and click Next.

 

Once you click next, the following window will quickly come up. Review the installation and click Install.

 

Congratulations! You have just Installed Active Directory in Windows Server 2012. If you would like to configure Active Directory, please Check our “Configuring Active Directory in Windows Server 2012” article. Thank you for following along in this How-To and check back with us for any new updates.