How to Set Up an Active Directory on Windows Server 2016 Using PowerShell

In this tutorial, I will explain how to install an active directory on Windows Core Server 2016 using a few PowerShell commands.

If you have already configured an AD Domain Service before, you may be aware that there are the following two high-level steps:

1. Installing Active Domain itself.
2. Promoting the server as domain controller.

Install AD Server with PowerShell commands

Step 1: Install Active Directory Domain Service.

C:\> Install-windowsfeature AD-domain-services

Step 2: Import ADDSDeployment Module.

C:\> Import-Module ADDSDeployment

Step 3: Configure First Domain Controller in Forest.

C:\> Install-ADDSForest
 -CreateDnsDelegation:$false `
 -DatabasePath "C:\Windows\NTDS" `
 -DomainMode "Win2016" `
 -DomainName "yourdomain.com" `
 -DomainNetbiosName "THEGEEKSTUFF" `
 -ForestMode "Win2016" `
 -InstallDns:$true `
 -LogPath "C:\Windows\NTDS" `
 -NoRebootOnCompletion:$false `
 -SysvolPath "C:\Windows\SYSVOL" `
 -Force:$true

Step 4: Provide the DSRM password.

You will be prompted to provide the DSRM (Directory Services Restore Mode) password and finish the configuration of the active directory domain services on your Windows Core Server 2016.