Windows Server 2025
Windows Server
Practical, current Windows Server 2025 guides — setup, roles, Active Directory, Hyper-V and more.
Fresh 2026 guides for Windows Server 2025: from a first install through Active Directory, DHCP/DNS, file shares, Hyper-V and the edition and licensing questions. The old Windows Home Server archive covers the consumer ancestor of running a server at home.
Add a Second Domain Controller (Windows Server)
Add a second domain controller to an existing Windows Server domain: install AD DS, promote as an additional DC, set DNS and Global Catalog, and verify replication with repadmin and dcdiag.
Read the guide →How to Add Roles and Features in Windows Server
Add roles and features in Windows Server with the Add Roles and Features Wizard or PowerShell's Install-WindowsFeature. Steps for AD DS, DNS, DHCP, IIS.
Read the guide →How to Create a File Share on Windows Server
Create a file share on Windows Server: add the File Server role, run the New Share Wizard, set Share vs NTFS permissions, enable ABE, and map the drive.
Read the guide →Create and Link Group Policy Objects (GPOs)
Create and link Group Policy Objects on Windows Server: open Group Policy Management, make a GPO, link it to an OU, edit a policy, run gpupdate, and check scope with gpresult.
Read the guide →How to Enable Remote Desktop on Windows Server
Enable Remote Desktop on Windows Server: turn on RDP in Server Manager or System Properties, add Remote Desktop Users, open the firewall and keep NLA on.
Read the guide →Fix Group Policy Not Applying in Windows
Group Policy not applying? Force an update with gpupdate, read the results with gpresult, and check OU linkage, security filtering, WMI filters and SYSVOL replication.
Read the guide →Fix: The Trust Relationship Between This Workstation and the Primary Domain Failed
Fix "The trust relationship between this workstation and the primary domain failed" without rejoining the domain — repair the secure channel with PowerShell.
Read the guide →How to Set Up Active Directory (AD DS) on Windows Server
Set up Active Directory on Windows Server: install the AD DS role, promote a domain controller, create a forest, add users and OUs, and join a client.
Read the guide →How to Set Up DHCP on Windows Server
Set up DHCP on Windows Server: install the DHCP role, authorize it in Active Directory, create a scope, add exclusions and reservations, and verify leases.
Read the guide →How to Set Up DNS on Windows Server
Set up DNS on Windows Server: install the DNS Server role, create forward and reverse lookup zones, add A, PTR and CNAME records, and configure forwarders.
Read the guide →How to Set Up Windows Server 2025: A Beginner’s Guide
Set up Windows Server 2025 in a lab: choose Desktop Experience or Server Core, configure the name, static IP, time zone and updates, add a role, and.
Read the guide →Windows Server 2025: Standard vs Datacenter Edition
Windows Server 2025 Standard vs Datacenter: virtualization rights, Datacenter-only features, per-core plus CAL licensing, and how to choose the right edition.
Read the guide →Windows Server 2025: What’s New — A 2026 Overview
Windows Server 2025 new features explained: hotpatching, security hardening, Active Directory, storage, networking, Hyper-V and GPU partitioning, plus.
Read the guide →How to Back Up Windows Server (Server Backup)
Back up Windows Server with the built-in Windows Server Backup feature: install it, run a one-time or scheduled backup, choose full server, system state or bare-metal recovery, and restore.
Read the guide →Getting Started with Hyper-V on Windows Server
Get started with Hyper-V on Windows Server: enable the role, build a virtual switch, create a Generation 1 or 2 VM, install a guest OS and use checkpoints.
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