# Installing a Windows Server with AD DS Role (Domain Controller)

> Installing a Windows Server with AD DS Role (Domain Controller).

Published on 2021-11-12 | Tags: windows server, AD, DC

https://xsec.fr/en/windows/installation-ad/

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An Active Directory or domain controller is a role or feature added to the Windows server after its installation.

## Set the IP address and machine name

![`Win + R` (run menu) and enter: `ncpa.cpl`
(directly opens network adapter settings)](/media/windows/install-ad/1.webp)

![Double-click on `Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)`](/media/windows/install-ad/2.webp)

![](/media/windows/install-ad/3.webp)

`IP Address:` `IP_AD`
`Subnet Mask:` `MASQUE_AD`
`Default Gateway:` `IP_PASSERELLE`

As for DNS, it will set itself to loopback.
When the Windows server is promoted to domain controller, it automatically installs the DNS role and thus becomes its own DNS server

![`Server Local > Computer Name`](/media/windows/install-ad/4.webp)

![`Computer Name > Change...`](/media/windows/install-ad/5.webp)

![Rename your machine, click `Ok` then restart](/media/windows/install-ad/6.webp)

## Add the "AD DS" feature

![](/media/windows/install-ad/7.webp)

![](/media/windows/install-ad/8.webp)

![](/media/windows/install-ad/9.webp)

## Promote the server to domain controller

![](/media/windows/install-ad/10.webp)

![](/media/windows/install-ad/11.webp)

![A password must be specified](/media/windows/install-ad/12.webp)

![](/media/windows/install-ad/13.webp)

![](/media/windows/install-ad/14.webp)

![](/media/windows/install-ad/15.webp)

![](/media/windows/install-ad/16.webp)

![Domain controller installation](/media/windows/install-ad/17.webp)

![The server restarts.](/media/windows/install-ad/18.webp)

![The server is now in the domain.](/media/windows/install-ad/19.webp)