How To Make Windows Server 2012 R2 a Domain Controller?

1. Install Active Directory

a. Log into the server as an administrator.
b. Click Start, and then click Server Manager.
c. In the navigation pane, click Add roles and features.
d. On the Before you begin page, click Next.
e. On the Select installation type page, select Role-based or feature-based installation, and then click Next.
f. On the Select destination server page, select the server you want to make a domain controller, and then click Next.
g. On the Select server roles page, select Active Directory Domain Services, and then click Next.
h. On the Confirm installation selections page, click Install.
i. On the Installation progress page, review the progress of the installation, and then click Close when the installation is completed.

2. Configure Active Directory

a. In Server Manager, click Notifications, and then click Promote this server to a domain controller.
b. On the Deployment Configuration page, select Add a new forest, and then type a root domain name for the new forest.
c. On the Domain Controller Options page, specify the Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) password, and then click Next.
d. On the DNS Options page, select the appropriate options, and then click Next.
e. On the Additional Options page, select the appropriate options, and then click Next.
f. On the Paths page, specify the location for the Active Directory database, log files, and SYSVOL, and then click Next.
g. On the Review Options page, review the selections, and then click Next.
h. On the Prerequisites Check page, review the warnings, and then click Install to begin the promotion of the server to a domain controller.
i. On the Installation progress page, review the progress of the installation, and then click Close when the installation is completed.