Windows Server & Active Directory Setup on VMware Workstation (Step‑by‑Step Guide)

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My Home Lab—Project 1: To practice Windows Server and Active Directory at home, this guide walks you through the complete step‑by‑step process of installing Windows Server on a virtual machine and configuring Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). This is ideal for beginners, students, and IT professionals who want hands‑on experience.

🔗 Download Links

  • VMware Workstation Pro Download and license VMware Desktop Hypervisor (Fusion Pro & Workstation Pro): https://knowledge.broadcom.com/extern…
  • Windows Server 2022 ISO Microsoft Evaluation Center: Windows Server 2022 | Microsoft Evaluation Center

📘 Chapter 1: Windows Server & Active Directory Setup Using VMware Workstation

In this tutorial, you will learn how to:

  • Create a Virtual Machine in VMware Workstation
  • Install Windows Server 2022
  • Install Active Directory Domain Services
  • Promote the server to a Domain Controller
  • Create Organizational Units (OU)
  • Add Users and Computers under departments

This is a beginner‑friendly walkthrough, so anyone can follow along easily.

🟦 PART 1: Create a New Virtual Machine in VMware Workstation

Here is your fully corrected, polished English version—perfect for a website blog post. I kept it clean, professional, and structured while preserving your full technical content. Images are included to make the post visually engaging.

⭐ Windows Server & Active Directory Setup on VMware Workstation (Step‑by‑Step Guide)

If you want to practice Windows Server and Active Directory at home, this guide walks you through the complete step‑by‑step process of installing Windows Server on a virtual machine and configuring Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). This is ideal for beginners, students, and IT professionals who want hands‑on experience.

🔗 Download Links

  • VMware Workstation Pro Download and license VMware Desktop Hypervisor (Fusion Pro & Workstation Pro): https://knowledge.broadcom.com/extern...
  • Windows Server 2022 ISO Microsoft Evaluation Center: Windows Server 2022 | Microsoft Evaluation Center

📘 Chapter 1: Windows Server & Active Directory Setup Using VMware Workstation

In this tutorial, you will learn how to:

  • Create a Virtual Machine in VMware Workstation
  • Install Windows Server 2022
  • Install Active Directory Domain Services
  • Promote the server to a Domain Controller
  • Create Organizational Units (OU)
  • Add Users and Computers under departments

This is a beginner‑friendly walkthrough, so anyone can follow along easily.

🟦 PART 1: Create a New Virtual Machine in VMware Workstation

  1. Open VMware Workstation.
  2. Click Create a New Virtual Machine.
  3. Choose Typical → Next.
  4. Select your Windows Server 2022 ISO file → Next.
  5. Name your VM: Windows Server 2022 → Next.
  6. Assign hardware:
    • CPU: 2 cores
    • RAM: 4 GB (or more if available)
  7. Set Disk Size: 60 GB → Finish.
  8. Power on the VM.

🟦 PART 2: Install Windows Server 2022

  1. Choose Language, Time, and Keyboard → Next.
  2. Click Install Now.
  3. Select edition: Windows Server 2022 Standard (Desktop Experience) → Next.
  4. Accept license → Next.
  5. Choose Custom Install.
  6. Select the 60GB disk → Next.
  7. Installation begins → Server restarts.
  8. Set a strong Administrator password → Finish.

🟦 PART 3: Basic Server Setup

  1. Log in to the server.
  2. Configure network settings (DHCP or Static IP).
  3. Open Server Manager.
  4. Prepare for Active Directory installation.

🟦 PART 4: Install Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)

  1. In Server Manager → Click Manage → Add Roles and Features.
  2. Choose Role‑based in