Lab: Promoting a Server to an Active Directory Domain Controller

1. Launch the Promotion Wizard

Open Server Manager and click the flag icon in the top-right corner. You should see:

Promote this server to a domain controller

2. Create a New Forest

Since this is the first DC, select “Add a new forest” and enter your root domain name. Example:

my.lab

3. Configure Domain Controller Options

Use default values and set the Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) password:

Password!23

Additional settings:

• DNS delegation: Leave unchecked
• NetBIOS name: Leave default

4. Review and Install

Review your settings, click Next to validate prerequisites. Yellow warnings can be ignored in a lab. Click Install to start promotion. The server will restart automatically.

5. Verify the New Domain

After reboot, open Tools → Active Directory Users and Computers. You should now see your domain tree:

my.lab