How to promote a stand-alone server to a domain controller?

Take the following steps to promote a stand-alone server to a domain controller:

1. Run DCPROMO.EXE from Start Menu > Run.

   

2. In the welcome screen of the Active Directory Installation Wizard, click the Next button.

   

3. On the Operating System Compatibility page, click the Next button.

   

4. On the Domain Controller Type page, specify domain controller type, and click the Next button.

   

5. On the Create New Domain page, specify which type of domain to create, and click the Next button.

   

6. On the Install or Configure DNS page, specify the No, just install and configure DNS in this computer option to install DNS on the server. Specify the Yes, I will configure the DNS client option if DNS is already running on the network. Then, click the Next button.

   

7. On the New Domain Name page, specify the full DNS name, and click the Next button.

   

8. On the NetBIOS Domain Name page, click the Next button. There is no need to specify a NetBIOS name, as it will be automatically filled on the basis of the DNS name.

   

9. On the Database and Log Locations page, specify the locations for the Active Directory database and log file, and click the Next button.

   

10. On the Shared System Volume page, specify the location for the system volume folder, and click the Next button.

    

11. On the Permissions page, specify the permissions for user and group objects, and click the Next button.

    

12. On the Directory Services Restore Mode Administrator Password page, specify a password for the administrator in the Password and Confirm password fields, and click the Next button.

    

13. On the Summary page, click the Next button. This will install Active Directory.

    

14. Click the Finish button.

    

15. In the Active Directory Installation Wizard confirmation dialog box, click the Restart Now button.

    

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