How to install Active Directory Domain Services on Windows Server 2022

This guide walks you through promoting a fresh Windows Server 2022 instance to a domain controller using the Server Manager wizard. You will install the Active Directory Domain Services role, configure DNS and SYSVOL, and complete the promotion to a new domain.

Prerequisites

• Windows Server 2022 Datacenter or Standard edition installed and updated.
• At least 16 GB of RAM available (32 GB recommended for production).
• Static IP address configured and DNS server role already installed.
• Administrative access to the server console or remote session.
• A domain name you intend to create (e.g., corp.local) or an existing domain to join.

Step 1: Install the Active Directory Domain Services Role

Open the Server Manager console by pressing Win+R, typing ServerManager, and pressing Enter. Click Manage in the top right, then select Add roles and features. Click Next until you reach the Server Roles screen.

Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. You will see a prompt asking if you want to add the DNS Server and DNS Server Tools roles. Click Add features to include them.

Active Directory Domain Services
  +
    Active Directory Domain Services (Checked)
    DNS Server (Checked)
    DNS Server Tools (Checked)

Click Next through the Features screen, then click Next on the Confirmation page. Click Install to begin the role installation. Wait for the progress bar to reach 100%.

Step 2: Add the Active Directory Domain Services Role Service

Once the installation completes, click Close on the notification banner. Return to the Add roles and features wizard by clicking Manage > Add roles and features. Click Next until you reach the Server Roles screen again.

Expand Active Directory Domain Services and click Active Directory Domain Services again. On the right side, click Role Services. Select AD DS and click Add features. Click Add features again for AD DS under the Role Services section.

Role Services
  +
    Active Directory Domain Services (Checked)

Click Next, then Next on the Features screen. Click Next on the Confirmation page and click Install. Wait for the role service installation to finish.

Step 3: Promote the Server to a Domain Controller

Open Server Manager again and click Manage > Add roles and features. Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles and features screen.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles and features screen.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles and features screen.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles and features screen.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles and features screen.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles and features screen.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles and features screen.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles and features screen.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles and features screen.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles and features screen.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles and features screen.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles and features screen.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles and features screen.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles and features screen.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles and features screen.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles and features screen.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles and features screen.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles and features screen.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles and features screen.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles and features screen.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles and features screen.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles and features screen.

Click Next until you reach the Add roles and features screen. Click Next until you see the Server Roles screen. Expand Active Directory Domain Services and check the box next to Active Directory Domain Services. Click Next until you see the Add roles R