Category: Microsoft Windows Server

  • How to Install Active Directory Windows Server Core 2022

    How to Install Active Directory Windows Server Core 2022

    This article will cover how to install Active Directory Windows Server Core 2022. To know what steps are required to use a Windows Server 2022 Core installation as a domain controller. To know more about Server 2022. We will try to run Active Directory services with Server 2022 Core edition. For the Installation of Server 2022 Core. Windows Server administrators were demoted to the command line and obtaining MMC consoles to work pointed to a Core Windows Server installation to configure, manage, and administrate a Core installation.

    Windows Server Core Active Directory Installation

    If you have installed Active Directory in the last several Windows Server versions. You already know this is an active directory domain services role that is installed and then configured. Installing a domain controller involves installing the role and configuring it on your Windows Server 2022 installations that you need to use as domain controllers in your organization.

    Before installing a Windows Server 2022 Core installation as a domain controller, you need to know a few things.

    Change Windows Server 2022 hostname
    Assign a static IP address
    Choose a domain name that will be used for Active Directory
    A strong administrator password
    Date and time

    Windows Server 2022 Core Install Active Directory

    To install Active Directory, we need to set your Server as per the recommended configuration for ADDC.

    I already changed the server name. type hostname to check your system name.

    Hostname command

    Type ipconfig /all command to know about your server IP address.

    Ipconfig all command

    Type the sconfig command.

    Sconfig command

    To Assign a static IP address

    Type 8 and then hit enter.

    Welcome to window core server

    Check how many network adapters are available, type 1, and then press enter.

    Available adapter core server

    Type 1 and hit enter.

    S for static IP address
    Type the details and then press enter.

    Network adapter settings core server

    Set DNS server and then press enter.

    DNS settings core server

    Type 15 to exit.

    Welcome to window core server

    Install Active Directory Windows Server Core Using PowerShell

    Type PowerShell Command to start creating Domain Controller.

    Open PowerShell command

    Type
    Get-WindowsFeature

    Install Active Directory Server Core

    Type
    Get-Windowsfeature | ? {$_.Name -LIKE “ad*”}

    Install Active Directory Windows Server Core

    To install domain controller Windows Server Core 2022, type the below command.
    install-windowsfeature AD-Domain-Services-IncludemanagementTools

    Install Active Directory Windows Server

    Successfully installed Active directory domain services.

    Install active directory server core

    Configure Active Directory Windows Server 2022 Core

    Enter the below command

    import-Module ADDSDeployment

    install-ADDSForest

    You can enter Y

    Install active directory core server

    While installation active directory is going on you will see some warnings.

    Install active directory server core

    Once installation is done the server will restart automatically.
    Check your AD server credentials, type your password, and then hit enter.

    Windows core server login

    Now we have covered the installation of Active Directory on server 2022 core.
    Now type 8 to change server DNS.

    Welcome to window core server

    Type 1

    Available adapter core server

    Now you can see server DNS, it’s a loop address, you need to change it.

    Network adapter settings core server

    Install Active Directory Core Server 2022

    Also Windows Admin Center will help you to install AD roles and features but to configure the active directory, we need to use PowerShell.
    Click on the core server to install the active directory

    Windows Admin center

    In Windows Admin Center very easy to install the Active Directory Domain Services (ADDS) role. After connecting to your server, scroll down, navigate to Roles & features and then install the ADDS role.

    Install role and features admin center

    Installing active directory domain services role using Windows admin center
    The wizard will prompt if you need to reboot automatically. Actually, after installing only the role, it won’t reboot. Click yes

    Install role and features admin center

    If required, please reboot the server.

    Windows admin center overview

    Active directory windows admin center extension installation
    You will need to install the Active Directory extension. The Active Directory extension is required to administer Active Directory once the ADDS role is installed and configured.

    Windows admin center extensions
  • How to Create PTR Records Server 2022

    How to Create PTR Records Server 2022

    Let’s have a look at how to create PTR Record in DNS Manager Server 2022. Let’s see how to add a PTR record manually. This is only required if a system is not configured to dynamically update. This might be the case for systems with static IP addresses like servers.

    Create PTR Records Server 2022

    Open server manager 2022, Choose Tools and then click on the DNS option.

    Server manager tools

    After configuring the DNS Manager and selecting the zone name under Reverse Lookup Zones. Make sure the zone name suits the IP subnet of the record that you wish to add. In this example, the IP subnet is 192.168.241.0/24 therefore the suitable zone name is 241.168.192.in-addr-arpa.
    Right click on the created one reverse look up zone and then select New Pointer (PTR).

    DNS manager PTR

    Type the Host IP Address (DNS Server IP Address) and enter the hostname manually or click on the browse button to browse the location from Forward look zones.

    New resources record PTR

    SERVER2022 > forward lookup zone > xpertstec.local > select Server2022 and then click ok.

    New resources record host name

    Now you can see the Host name, click ok.

    New resources record PTR

    Finally, your Pointer (PTR) Record was added successfully.

    DNS server manager

    Before Launch nslookup, we need to change the IP address in interfaces settings. In the DNS manager right-click on your DNS server and then select properties.

    DNS server manager

    Select the Interfaces tab and select the checkbox only the following IP address. (We have only one DNS server, if you have an additional DNS server then you can select more servers. It will avoid DNS queries delay). Click ok

    DNS server properties interfaces

    How to Verify PTR Record is Working

    How we can test the Active Directory and DNS Using the nslookup command. Test the DNS server and configure it properly or not, using the nslookup command.

    Open the run command enter nslookup and then press ok.

    run nslookup

    Launch a Command Prompt, type nslookup and then press enter.

    Nslookup command

    The last Method is to launch DNS Manager and right-click the server name, then select Launch nslookup.

    DNS manager launch nslookup

    After selecting the Launch nslookup menu. That means the DNS server is healthy.

    DNS manager launch nslookup

    Conclusion

    Finally, in the same nslookup command utility windows, enter your DNS server IP address or Server name and you get a reply from forward and reverse lookup zones reply like this.

    nslookup command

    If you got to have like this you Install and configure active directory domain services and Domain Name System (DNS) Server Successfully.

    Verify nslookup command

    For more detail visit Microsoft

  • How to Create Reverse Lookup Zone Server 2022

    How to Create Reverse Lookup Zone Server 2022

    In this blog, I will show you how to create a reverse lookup zone in Windows Server 2022. Reverse lookup zones are used to resolve the hostname to IP addresses. In server 2022 the reverse lookup zones to work use a PTR record that supplies the mapping of the IP address in the zone to the hostname. What’s New in Server 2022

    In this blog, I going to set up a reverse lookup zone for an IPv4 primary zone.

    This primary zone is connected to Active Directory Domain Controller. Before creating a Zone, ensure all roles and server groups are working fine.

    To create a reverse lookup zone is different. We can create a reverse lookup zone by using the Subnet. For example, we create a reverse zone by using 192.168.241.0/24, but we retrieve the reverse zone by using 241.168.192.in-addr.arpa.

    Create Reverse Lookup Zone

    Launch server manager, select Tools tab, and then select DNS.

    Server manager tools

    DNS Manager Server 2022, First expand SERVER2022 (your DNS server name.


    Mouse right-click on the Reverse Lookup Zones option and then click on New Zone from the menu.

    DNS Manager Server 2022

    New Zone Wizard, click Next.

    Welcome to new zone wizard

    Choose the type of zone you wish to create, I am going to create Primary Zone (because this is our first DNS server and keep it as it is) and click next.

    New zone wizard type

    Select how you wish zone data replicated in the active directory zone replication scope. Choose To all DNS servers running on domain controllers in this domain: xpertstec.local and click next.

    Active directory zone replication scope

    In the reverse lookup zone name (DNS Manager) Choose IPv4 Reverse Lookup Zone (A reverse lookup zone transfers IP addresses into DNS (domain name server) name). Click next

    Reverse lookup zone name

    To identify the reverse lookup zone, enter the network ID, the name zone, and then click Next.

    Reverse lookup zone network id

    Choose the type of dynamic updates you wish to allow and then click next.

    New zone wizard dynamic update

    Done, completing the new zone wizard, click the finish button.

    Completing the new zone wizard

    Now you can see the created reverse lookup zones.

    DNS Manager reverse lookup zone
  • How to Create a User in Active Directory 2022

    How to Create a User in Active Directory 2022

    In this blog, I will explain how to create a user in Active Directory Windows Server 2022. The computer is an extensively used device in different environments since thanks to it we can access various services and perform various actions such as document and file management. That is why if a system is used by different people, it is best for each user to have a different account.

    Windows Server 2022 has been designed to provide administrators the best controls to manage every feature of their domain, this, users are one of the best important since they demand access to their systems and as administrators, we can permit the required permissions so that their work is applicable, for that reason, it is necessary to create a new user to be integrated into the Active Directory.

    Create User in Active Directory 2022

    In the Server Manager, we go to Tools and then Active Directory Users and Computers.
    Or type dsa.msc in the run command to launch Active Directory.

    Server manager tools

    In the displayed window you can see the default users and those that have been created in the domain.

    Active Directory users and computers

    Right-click on User, select new, and then select User.

    Create user in active directory

    In the pop-up window, type the user’s information and then click next.

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    New object create users

    Then we must assign your password and then click next.

    New object users

    Summary of the user to create in Windows Server 2022, Click Finish to apply the changes.

    Create user in active directory

    A new user has been created successfully.

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    Double click on newly created user to see a series of parameters available to edit.

    Create user in active directory

    New object users click on the Member tab to see the default groups.
    Click the Add button to assign additional groups to the created user.

    User properties member of

    Type administrator, click on check names, and then click ok.

    Enter the object name

    You can see the change.

    User account properties member of

    This is the way to create a user in a Windows Server 2022 Active directory and edit its parameters if necessary.

  • How to Attach Detach Permanently Attach VHD File

    How to Attach Detach Permanently Attach VHD File

    In this blog, we will have a look hot to attach detach permanently attach VHD. Windows OS has an excellent tool for managing our drives and partitions, it’s called Disk Management. Some of the best features are that it permits you to mount and unmount VHD files so that you can work with them as you need. In this process, I will show you how to attach and detach Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) images in Windows. As well as how to permanently attach a VHD file that is always available.

    What is the use of Virtual Hard Disk (VHD)

    VHD or a Virtual Hard Disk file is a VHD image that stores all the data from a file system or hard disk partition all in a single file. Virtual hard drive files are usually used and created by virtual machine software such as Hyper-V, Virtual Box.

    Additionally, the old Windows Image Backup tool from Windows also saves system images as VHD files.

    Attach Detach Permanently Attach VHD

    How to Mount a VHD Image

    Right click on Windows Start button and then choose Disk Management.

    right click start button

    Attach VHD in Disk Management

    Select action menu and then attach VHD.

    disk management

    Select the browse button.

    attach virtual hard disk

    Locate the VHD file to mount and select it and then hit the open button.

    windows explorer .vhd

    Select ok

    attach virtual hard disk

    Attaching a Virtual Hard Disk file

    Now you can see that the VHD file has been mounted as a separate drive, and it has its own drive letter assigned.

    disk management

    Launch File Explorer and then click on the new partition to open it.

    This pc

    Now, you can easily see the desired files from the attached VHD file.

    Browsing a VHD file

    How do I permanently attach a VHD

    Is your question how I permanently attach a VHD, here is what we should do:
    Open task scheduler and then click create the task in the Actions panel.

    task scheduler

    How to Create Task in Task Scheduler

    In the create task windows under General tab, enter a friendly name for the VHD permanently mount task. Then, choose the Run whether user is logged on or not and Run with highest privileges options, and then select Windows OS in the Configure for dropdown list.

    general settings for the task

    Select Triggers tab and then click on New.

    triggers for the task

    In the New Trigger window, choose At startup from the Begin the task list at the top and then click the ok button.

    create task trigger is at startup

    Select Actions tab and then click New.

    create task Actions for the task

    New Action window opens, enter powershell.exe in the Program/script field and then in the Add arguments (optional) text field, enter this command: Mount-DiskImage ‘Path to the VHD file’.
    Change the ‘Path to the VHD file’ with the original path to the VHD file that you need to mount permanently, hit OK.

    use powerShell to run Mount-DiskImage

    Choose ok to save the ‘permanently mount VHD’ task.

    saving the task in Task Scheduler

    Enter the credentials of your Windows OS user account and then hit ok.

    task scheduler credentials

    The attached VHD disk is available to use for as long as you wish, even if you reboot your PC. If you decide you no longer want to access it, simply you can detach the VHD file (unmount VHD).

    How to detach a VHD image (unmount VHD)

    Open Disk Management again.

    right click start button

    Right-click on the attached VHD and then select the Detach VHD option.

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    Unmount VHD in Windows Detach VHD

    Choose ok button.

    detach virtual hard disk

    Related: Virtual Hard Disk Recovery

    For more information, please click here

  • How to Install Additional Domain Controller Server 2022

    How to Install Additional Domain Controller Server 2022

    In this blog, we will learn how to Install Additional Domain Controller Server 2022 and add an additional domain controller to an existing domain in a local area network (LAN). Let’s move on. Sometimes, you may wish to have an additional domain controller to balance the load and exceed fault tolerance. This blog elaborates the steps needed to add ADDC (Domain Controller) to your Active Directory (AD) environment.

    As we know, The Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) is installed on a Windows Server that named is Domain Controller (DC). We can add many domain controllers to an active directory for fault tolerance, load balancing, redundancy, and other purposes. All the domain controllers must occupy the same contents like computer accounts, user accounts, and more.

    What’s New in Server 2022

    Adding Additional Domain Controller to an Existing Domain Controller

    Table of Contents

    Launch Server Manager using Command Line

    Hold the Windows + R Key to launch the Run box, Type ServerManager and then hit Enter.
    This is the most common and quickest way to launch Server Manager in Windows Servers.

    Run command ServerManager

    Or click on Windows Start Button and then Open server manager.

    Search server manager

    Install Additional Domain Controller Server 2022

    Choose Dashboard and then select Add roles and features.

    Server Manager Dashboard 2022

    Active Directory Role Installation

    Add roles and features wizard, click next.

    Add roles and features wizard

    Role-based or feature-based installation selected, click next.

    Role based or features based

    Choose Domain controller server and then click Next.

    Install active directory domain controller

    Select Active Directory Domain Services

    Select server role “Active Directory Domain Services”

    Active Directory select roles

    Choose Add Features to add active directory management tools.

    Add required feature including

    After adding the Server role, Click Next.

    Active Directory select roles

    Additional Domain Controller features, click next.

    Active Directory select features

    AD DS options, click next

    Active Directory domain services AD DS

    Click Install to start the Domain Controller installation.

    Confirm installation selections DC

    Once the Domain Controller role is done if you do not close the window.
    After AD DC installation clicks on “Promote this server to a domain controller” or click close.

    Active directory Installation progress results

    Promote the server to a Domain Controller

    Logged as a domain administrator, choose the Promote this server to a domain controller to promote the server to a domain controller.
    Additionally, you can launch the Server Manager, as shown in the figure below.

    Promote this server to a domain controller

    Choose checkbox “Add a domain controller to an existing domain”, specify the domain information for this operation, and enter your domain name. If you already logged in as a standard user, you can change the credential by click on the change button.

    Domain controller deployment configuration

    In this lab is xpertstec.local. Here you can type the credentials of an active directory domain controller account that has the rights to add DC to the existing domain, such as the Domain Administrator. Click ok

    Credential for deployment operation

    Verify domain information and then click Next.

    Domain controller deployment configuration

    You might get this message “Verification of replica failed”
    Verify if the system uses the FRS
    SYSVOL migration from FRS to DFSR

    Domain Name System (DNS) server
    Global Catalog (GC)
    Fill the “directory services restore mode (DSRM)” Password and then click Next.

    Additional Domain controller options

    Ignore the delegation for this DNS server warning and then click next.

    Specify DNS delegation options

    In the Additional options window, specify the server that you need replicate with beside the Replicate from Select Domain Controller Server2019.xpertstec.local and click next.

    Domain Controller Additional options

    Specify the path
    AD DS database folder
    Log files folder
    SYSVOL folders and click Next.

    Additional Domain controller paths

    Reviews your selections, verify all the information, and click next.

    Domain controller review selections

    Prerequisites Check, verify “All prerequisites checks passed successfully” so click Install.

    Prerequisite passed successfully

    Please wait for a while for the Additional Domain Controller to complete. Click close to restart the system.

    You are about to be signed out

    After restarting the Windows Server, log in as Domain Administrator.

    Domain Controller Server Login

    Change Alternative DNS Server IP

    After successful login, open your network to change to an additional domain controller DNS IP Address.

    Internet protocols properties

    Alternate DNS Server IP Address.

    Internet protocols properties

    Verify Additional Domain Controller

    In the Domain Controllers Server, launch Server Manager, click on the Tools tab, and then click on active directory users and computers.

    Server Manager Tools

    Expand your local domain computer (xpertstec.local) and then click on domain controllers, here you can find the additional domain controller.

    Active Directory Domain Controller

    Click on computer, to see the user computers.

    Active Directory users and computers

    Root DC and New DC Replication

    We have almost done it, just use the Domain Controller’s to replicate between the root DC (Server2019.xpertstec.local) and the new DC (Server2022.xpertstec.local). While replicating between Domain Controller and Additional Domain Controllers, the Active Directory files will be copied from the Domain Controller and Additional Domain Controller. Then check out, you will see all files exactly the same as the root domain controller in the current domain controller.
    In the Server Manager, select the Tools tab and then click on Active Directory sites and services.

    Server Manager 2022

    Expand the Default-First-Site-Name Servers, then expand the name of the current server that you are now working on, then select NTDS Settings. In my case, Server2019 is a root domain controller and I am logged in currently in Server2022 which is the additional domain controller.

    NTDS settings

    Right-click on “automatically generated” and then click on Replicate now.

    Replicate now

    An alert window you that replication between root DC and new domain controller occurred.

    Replicate now connections

    Do the same thing for Server2019 on the same server. Expand Server2019 node and then select NTDS Settings. Right-click on automatically generated then select Replicate now. Both servers replicate with each other and all the contents of Server2019 will be copied in Server2022.

    Replicate now

    Click ok

    Replicate now connections

    Conclusion

    All we are done! After all, we have completed replication between two Domain Controllers successfully.

  • Bare Metal Backup Windows Server 2022

    Bare Metal Backup Windows Server 2022

    Bare metal backup Windows Server can be a highly important component of your backup and recovery plan. There are different types of solutions available. Creating a bare metal backup and recovery of Windows Server 2022 is very significant for those Windows Server users. When something unlucky happens, such as a virus attack, we can simply perform a bare metal recovery from it.

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    What is Bare Metal Backup?

    Bare metal backup is a procedure of backing up the entire system. It isn’t just user data and settings (the full system, including applications, drivers, even the operating system itself.

    For more information please visit Microsoft

    How to create bare metal backups

    A bare metal backup comprehends an image of the drives required to perform a full system recovery. This guide explains to you how to create a bare metal backup with Windows Server Backup tools.

    Install Windows Server Backup

    Confirm the Windows Server Backup installation is done.

    Create a bare metal backup using Windows Server Backup

    To create a backup schedule, launch the Windows Server Backup tool.

    Select Backup Schedule.

    Windows Server Backup local

    Backup schedule wizard, on the getting started window, click next.

    Welcome to backup schedule wizard

    Select the Backup configuration window, you need to select a backup configuration type.

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    Choose Full server to create a bare metal backup and then click next.
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    Backup schedule wizard full

    Specify the Backup Time window, and then click next.

    Backup schedule wizard time

    Specify a destination for storing the backup and then click next.

    Bare metal backup destination type

    Select a destination disk for the bare metal backup, (volumes on the server, network path, or an external HDD) attached to the server and then click next.

    Bare metal backup destination disk

    Windows backup disk, click ok.

    bare metal backup warnings

    Click yes, and the select disk will be formatted.

    Windows Server Backup

    Confirm the bare metal backup detail and then click Finish.

    Bare metal backup schedule confirmation

    Click on close, once the backup schedule is successfully configured.

    Bare metal backup schedule summary

    Now you can find, Bare metal backup scheduled.

    Windows server backup console
  • How to Create USB Bootable Drive Server 2022

    How to Create USB Bootable Drive Server 2022

    In this blog, I will show you how to create USB bootable drive containing the Windows Server 2022 media. Every Windows user must have a Windows boot drive around at all times. It can save you in the future headaches if you run into problems with your computer.

    Before you can install Server 2022 on physical hardware, you will need boot media that comprehend all the necessary files to install Windows Server 2022. Boot media comes in two forms: as a CD/DVD or USB pin drive. These days most modern server hardware comes without a CD/DVD drive.

    Table of Content:

    Get the Windows Server 2022 .ISO file

    If you do not have access to the Windows Server 2022 ISO directly from Microsoft, so you can download the evaluation version from Microsoft’s website.

    There you should select the type of image to download. Once we confirm this, then we can select the language to use.

    Download Windows Server 2022

    Create a bootable USB drive

    Before start, you will need a USB pin drive with at least 8GB. It will erase the entire data of the USB drive during the creation process, so first, ensure any important data is backed up. Because most of the new server hardware uses UEFI instead of BIOS. We will create a bootable USB disk using a GPT (GUID Partition Table). UEFI-based systems can’t boot from BMR (Master Boot Record) drives.
    I will use Windows 11 to create a bootable USB drive. Plug the USB drive into your system and then follow the below steps.

    Use Rufus to Create Bootable USB

    Rufus is a standalone tool and it doesn’t require installation. Download Rufus.

    download rufus

    After download Rufus, open the Rufus program.
    Under the Device drop-down menu, choose the USB drive, if it’s not detected automatically.
    Under Boot selection, click on the SELECT button to select the ISO image
    Image option – Standard Windows installation.
    Partition scheme – GPT.
    Target system – BIOS
    Volume label – Server 2022
    File system – NTFS
    Advanced format – choose (Quick format, Create extended label).
    Click Start, and then confirm that you want to erase the flash drive.

    Create bootable USB Rufus

    Create Bootable Flash Drive using the Windows tool

    Download Windows USB/DVD Download Tool and then install it with easy steps.
    Open it, click on browse to select your ISO file and then click Next.
    Please ensure the USB flash drive is plugged in.
    Select Begin Copying and confirm that you want to erase the USB.

    Windows USBDVD Download Tool

    Create Bootable USB using RMPrepUSB

    Download RMPrepUSB

    Download RMPrepUSB

    RMPrepUSB requires you to run the setup in order to install it. The installation process is simple and will automatically create a shortcut on your desktop. The best thing about this software is that it is updated regularly.
    Recommended for Advanced users

    Create bootable USB RMPrepUSB

    Create Bootable USB Universal USB Installer

    Download Universal USB Installer

    This software is offered by Pendrivelinux and it can be used to create both Windows and Linux bootable USB disks.
    Click on the browse button and then select your Windows Server ISO file
    Select the USB drive
    Choose Will NTFS format
    Click create.

    Universal USB Installer

    Create Bootable USB Drive WinToBootic

    Download WinToBootic

    This is free of cost and does not demand any installation. But you need to install a .NET Framework in order to run this software. You can create only a windows USB bootable disk with this software and it does not support Linux OS. WiNToBootic will help you to create a Windows To Go boot disk on a USB drive or on an external hard drive. The software is lightweight and its functionality is straightforward.
    Select your Windows ISO file
    Select your USB drive
    Click on Do it button to start the bootable USB process

    Create bootable USB WiNToBootic

    Create bootable USB drive using YUMI

    Download YUMI

    This software is used to create a bootable USB for multiple operating systems. It is an open-source tool. Create Multiboot Bootable USB Flash Drive with YUMI. This software works like Universal USB Installer.
    Select your USB drive
    Select your Windows Server ISO file by clicking the browse button.
    Click on create button.

    YUMI multiboot USB creator

    Create Bootable USB Linux Live USB Creator

    Download LinuxLive USB Creator

    This is a free application to create a bootable USB drive. As the name recommends, it is only for a Linux bootable drive. This software also tells you if your ISO file is ok or corrupted.
    Create a Linux Live USB in five easy steps
    Select a USB drive in the list
    Choose an ISO file
    Choose the size of persistent data
    Select the options you want
    Choose the lightning button to start the installation

    Linux live USB creator

    Create Bootable USB WinSetupFromUSB

    Download WinSetupFromUSB

    Originally developed to create a bootable USB for XP operating systems. This software is updated to create a bootable USB disk for multiple operating systems including Linux and Windows.
    Select your USB drive
    Click on … button to select the Windows Server ISO file.
    Click GO to start the bootable process.

    WinSetupFormUSB create bootable

    Create Bootable USB using UNetBootin

    Download UNetBootin

    UNetBootin is a free software for bootable Live USB creation. You can download the UNetBootin software for Linux, Windows, and Mac. UNetbootin allows you to create bootable USB drive for Linux distributions.
    Select the type of USB drive
    Click on the… button to select ISO file
    Click the ok to start the process.

    Create bootable USB UNetbootin

    XBoot Multiboot ISO USB Create

    Download XBoot

    XBoot is a lightweight application and doesn’t require installation. This is another multiboot USB drive creator. Presently, it is available to run only on Windows OS. This is a Windows-based application that can be used to create a Live Linux Bootable USB. You can use this software to create a Multi-boot ISO file contain additional distributions which can then be copied on a CD/DVD.
    Go to your ISO download folder and just drag and drop the ISO file.

    XBoot USB creater

    Select Add this file.

    XBoot Identify ISO file

    After adding the Windows Server ISO file, click create USB.

    Create USB XBoot

    Passcape ISO Burner Create Bootable USB

    Download Passcape ISO Burner

    Passcape ISO Burner is to create bootable USB disks from available ISO images. Passcape is compatible with most CD/DVD and USB devices. The software interface is very simple.
    Open Passcape ISO Burner, select create bootable USB disk
    Click on the… button to select the ISO file and then click Next.

    Passcape ISO Burner

    Select your USB drive and then click create.

    Passcape ISO Burner create

    Make bootable USB BalenaEtcher

    Download Balenaetcher

    BalenaEtcher is a free application that used to (copy) burn files on the hard disk from operating systems such as ISO & IMG files to make it a bootable USB flash drive. It is considered the best bootable USB creator. BalenaEtcher works well with Windows, Linux, and MAC.
    Select your Windows ISO file by click on the browse button.
    Check your USB drive and then click on Flash.

    Create bootable USB Balenaetcher

    Watch Video: How to Create USB Bootable Drive Server 2022

  • How to Install Dual Boot Windows Using VHD Drive

    How to Install Dual Boot Windows Using VHD Drive

    In this article, I’m going to show you how to install dual boot windows using VHD drive.
    There are a lot of methods to do this and I am just going to show you the most user-friendly method, to create a blank VHD, a PowerShell script to expand the.

    Instead of dividing your hard disk into multiple partitions typically required for dual booting multiple operating systems, booting to a VHD permit you to keep your primary OS untouched and contrary boot to a VHD file on the same file system.

    Even if you have only 1 hard drive in your PC.

    Note: I am facing windows OS problems, my Windows server OS is crash, not showing server desktop. I have very important data on my server HDD; I have no other option to copy my data because I don’t have any USB enclosure to connect my SAS hard disk to copy my data. It is called DUAL BOOT config.
    You can download Windows Server 2019 evaluation from Microsoft

    Install Dual Boot Windows Using VHD

    Insert Windows Server DVD and boot your PC/Computer/Server from the DVD. Boot to the DVD/USB ISO (you might have to go into PC’s bios. Select Next.

    windows server 2019 setup

    Choose Install Now.

    Repair your computer

    Select OS and then click next.

    Optionally, enter your product key and then Next or click I don’t have a product key

    windows setup operating system

    Accept Terms of Use and then click next.

    Applicable notices and license terms

    Select Custom Install.

    Custom: install windows only

    SHIFT-F10 (to open a command prompt window).

    windows setup partitions

    Find installation drive (Dir C:, D:, E:, etc)
    Create a Folder if you like (eg. WIN2019).

    Diskpart
    Create vdisk file=d:WIN2019.vhd type=expandable maximum=40000
    Attach vdisk

    command promplt create vdisk

    Type dir d: to check the VHD disk
    Type Exit

    command diskpart dir

    Choose the Disk with Unallocated Space which matches the drive size we have created earlier. In my example, I created a 60GB hard drive which is shown below as Disk 2. This is mine.VHD Virtual Drive I will be Dual Booting onto it, select it and then click Next.

    Note: ignore the warning (Window can’t be installed).

    windows setup unallocated space

    Install Underway – it will take some time to complete.

    installing windows

    The system will reboot automatically when completed.

    windows boot manager

    Set Administrator Password and then click finish.

    windows customize settings

    Windows Login screen

    windows login screen

    Now you can see all your Physical drives. In fact, you can have a look at the Physical disk where you stored the.VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) you will see the.VHD file that Windows OS is installed in. In my example below the C: is my System Drive where Windows is installed on, and the D Drive is my Physical Disk. See the WIN2019.VHD file. That is my C: Drive.

    windows login screen

    Select Windows key+R and then type msconfig

    run command msconfig

    [Optional:] Change default boot order
    Click on the Boot tab
    Select the boot you want to be the default
    Select set as default button
    Click ok

    system configuration boot option

    Read more: How to Create a Bootable Windows 10 USB Drive.

    Related: VHD Virtual Hard Disk Recovery

    Watch Video: Install Dual Boot Windows Server

  • How to Create and Set Up Virtual Hard Disk in Windows

    How to Create and Set Up Virtual Hard Disk in Windows

    In this blog, I am will explore how to create and set up virtual hard disk in Windows. In Windows 10, a virtual hard disk (VHDX or VHD) is a file that we could use a .vhd or .vhdx extension and then use as a physical hard disk, but with the variance that this is a file stored on a real disk.

    Using likewise format (.vhd or .vhdx) for a virtual drive, you can store files, including (documents, pictures, videos, boot files) and a complete OS installation.

    How to create a VHDX/VHD in Windows

    Right click on start button and then select Disk Management.

    right click windows start button

    Create and Set Up Virtual Hard Disk

    Click the Action button and then Create VHD.

    disk management create vhd

    Click the Browse button

    create and attach virtual hard disk

    File name field type a name for the VHD drive.
    Save as type from a drop-down menu, choose Virtual Disk files (.vhdx) or Virtual Disk files (.vhd).
    Click Save.

    browse virtual disk files

    Virtual hard disk size chooses the size of the drive in (MB, GB, TB).
    Virtual hard disk format choose the VHDX radio button.
    Virtual hard disk type chooses the Dynamic expanding radio button, Click OK.

    create and attach virtual hard disk

    How to set up a VHDX, VHD

    Using the above steps, we have created a VHD, but it is empty without having any data or file system. To make this useful, you need to initialize the disk, create a partition, and then format the drive.
    Right-click the newly created drive and then choose Initialize Disk.

    disk management initialize disk

    Choose the disk from the list.
    Choose the MBR (Master Boot Record) radio button and then click ok.


    Initialize disk mbr

    Right click on Unallocated space and then choose New Simple Volume.

    disk management new simple volume

    Choose Next.

    new simple volume wizard

    Specify the size of the partition and then click next.


    specify volume size

    Choose the drive letter you want to assign to the drive and then click next.

    assign drive letter or path

    Format this volume options:
    File System – NTFS.
    Allocation unit size – Default.
    Volume label – Leave it default or you can change it.
    Perform a quick format and click next.

    format partition

    Click Finish.

    completing the new simple volume

    After completing the process, the VHDX/VHD will be initialized, partitioned, and formatted. The virtual hard disk will mount automatically and then you can now access, save files using File Explorer.


    How to mount a VHDX/VHD

    Although during the setup process, Windows will automatically mount a VHD or VHDX file to your device that would not always be the case.

    Mounting VHD/VHDX

    To attach or mount the virtual hard disk follow the below steps.
    Select Action menu and then click the Attach VHD.

    disk management attach vhd

    Choose Browse button.

    attach virtual hard disk

    Choose your virtual disk and then click open.

    browse virtual disk files

    Click OK.
    After completing these steps, you can access the VHD/VHDX like a drive.

    attach virtual hard disk

    Dismounting VHD

    Before mounting please save any files and applications located in the VHD or VHDX file before detaching or dismounting to prevent data loss.
    Right-click the VHD drive and then choose Detach VHD.

    disk management detach vhd

    Click OK.

    detach virtual hard disk

    Once you complete the above steps, the VHD or VHDX file will no longer show up in File Explorer.

    Also, read this article: How to Attach, Detach, and Permanently Attach a VHD File.

    For more information, please visit Microsoft

    Watch Video: How to Create and Setup Virtual Hard Disk in Windows Server

  • How to Migrate Active Directory Server 2012 to 2022

    How to Migrate Active Directory Server 2012 to 2022

    This article will help you to migrate active directory server 2012 to 2022. If you wish to keep the same hardware and the server roles you have already set up without leveling the Windows server, you will have to do an in-place upgrade. In-place upgrades allow us to go from an older operating system to a new one while keeping your settings, server roles, & data thorough.

    I am writing this article, to help Windows admin migrate an existing Active Directory which is working on Windows Server 2012 R2 name (DC2012) to Windows Server 2020 name (DC2022). So, let’s get started.

    Please visit Microsoft Website for Upgrade Overview

    This is a very straightforward procedure, but first, you need to test it in your Test Environment.

    In my test lab, I have two Servers and my local domain Server is (xpertstec.local).

    Virtual MachineOSRoleIP Address
    DC20122012 R2Primary Domain Controller192.168.241.150
    DC20222022Secondary Domain Controller192.168.241.160

    Table of Contents:

    Join Server 2022 to Active Directory

    Install Additional Domain Controller

    Log in with an additional domain controller (DC2022)

    Change the alternative DNS server

    Check the Master Operation role

    Migrating FSMO roles to Windows Server 2022

    Change Active Directory Domain Controller

    Change Schema Master Role

    Change Global Catalog

    Raise Domain and Forest Function Level

    Uninstall Active Directory from Windows Server 2012

    Migrate Active Directory Server 2012 to 2022

    Log in with an additional domain controller

    Server login

    Change the alternative DNS server

    Open your network properties and then change the alternate DNS IP Address.

    internet protocol version 4

    Check the Master Operation role

    Open PowerShell and then enter netdom query fsmo command to check the Master Operation role.

    netdom query fsmo command

    Migrating FSMO Roles to Windows Server 2022 (DC2022)

    Launch active directory users and computers, Right-click on the local domain (xpertstec.local), and then select Operations Masters.

    Change operations master role

    Select the RID tab and then click Change.

    Change operations master RID

    Click yes

    Transfer operations master role

    Click ok

    Operations master successfully transferred

    Click on the PDC tab and then select Change.

    Change operations master PDC

    Click Yes

    Transfer operations master role

    Click OK

    Operations master successfully transferred

    Click on the Infrastructure tab and then select Change.

    Change operations master infrastructures

    Click Yes

    Transfer operations master role?

    Click OK

    Operations master successfully transferred

    Select close

    Change operations master infrastructures

    Change Active Directory Domain Controller

    Still on the DC2012.xpertstec.local server, launch Active Directory Domain and Trusts, right click on Active Directory Domain and Trusts, and then select Change Active Directory Domain Controller.

    Active directory domains and trusts

    Change the Directory Server window, select This Domain Controller or AD LDS instance radio button and select your new Windows Server 2022 which is DC2022.xpertstec.local, and then select ok.

    Change directory server

    Right click on Active Directory Domains and Trusts and then click on Operations Manager.

    Active directory domains and trusts

    Click on the Change button to transfer the domain naming master role to the Windows Server 2022 (DC2022).

    Domain naming operations master

    Click Yes

    Operations master successfully transferred

    Click OK

    Operations master successfully transferred

    The Domain naming operations master is now transferred to DC2022.xpertstec.local.

    Domain naming operations master

    In the DC2022.xpertstec.local server, open PowerShell and then enter regsvr32 schmmgmt.dll to change the Schema Master. Click ok

    Regsvr32 schmmgmt.dll PowerShell

    In the next step, we will change Schema Master, type MMC, and then hit enter.

    mmc PowerShell

    Change Schema Master Role

    Click on the File tab and then select Add/Remove Snap-in.

    Console add/remove snap-ins

    Add or Remove Snap-ins console, click on Active Directory Schema, click on Add button and then select ok.

    Add or remove snap-ins

    In the Console Root, right click on Active Directory Schema and then select Change Active Directory Domain Controller.

    Console root change active directory

    Click on DC2022.xpertstec.local server and then select ok.

    Change directory server

    Click ok to proceed

    Active directory schema

    Now again right click on Active Directory Schema and then select Operations Master.

    Console root operation master

    Choose the Change button to transfer the schema master role to Server 2022 (DC2022.xpertstec.local).

    Migrate active directory change schema master

    Click Yes

    Migrate Active directory schema yes

    Click ok to proceed

    Operation master successfully transferred

    Click Close

    Migrate active directory change schema master

    Run PowerShell, and then enter netdom query fsmo command. Now all the FSMO roles have been transferred to Active Directory Domain Controller Server 2022.

    Netdom query fsmo PowerShell

    Transfer FSMO Roles using PowerShell

    Transfer the FSMO role to a different Domain Controller. Open PowerShell as admin rights

    For Forest wide roles

    Get-ADForest | choose schemamaster,domainnamingmaster

    For Domain wide roles

    Get-ADDomain | select ridmaster,pdcemulator,infrastructuremaster

    Get-ADDomain command

    Change Global Catalog

    Launch Active Directory Sites and Services, expand Sites, expand Default-first-site, and then expand DC2022.

    Right-click on NTDS Settings and then choose properties

    Active directory sites and services

    Deselect the Global Catalog box and then click ok.

    NTDS system properties global catalog

    Domain / Forest Functional Level

    Right-click on the local domain and then choose rais domain functional level.

    Active directory users and computers

    Select the available domain functional level here and then click on raise button.

    Raise domain functional level

    Click ok

    Raise domain functional level ok

    Click ok

    Raise domain functional level done

    Raise forest functional level

    Launch active directory domains and trusts

    Right click on it and trust and then select raise forest functional level.

    Active directory domains and trusts

    Select raise

    Raise forest functional level

    Click ok

    Raise forest functional level ok

    Click ok

    Raise forest functional level done

    How to confirm the domain functional levels

    Get-ADDomain | fl Name, DomainMode

    How to confirm forest functional levels

    Get-ADForest | fl Name, ForestMode

    Get-addomain PowerShell

    Now replace the DNS IP address.

    Internet protocol version 4 properties

    How to uninstall Active Directory from Windows Server 2012 R2

    Log in to Server 2012 R2 with domain administrator credentials.

    Run PowerShell and then enter the below command.

    Uninstall-ADDSDomainController -DemoteOperationMasterRole –RemoveApplicationPartition

    Remove domain controller PowerShell

    Type local administrator credentials, confirm it and then press enter.

    Demote domain controller PowerShell

    Type Y and then press enter.

    Uninstall domain controller PowerShell

    Be patient. It will complete in few minutes.

    Uninstalling domain controller PowerShell

    The server will be restarted automatically.

    you're about to be signed out

    After restarting server 2012 R2 please join to workgroup.

    Also, read this article: How to Upgrade Windows Server 2012 R2 to Server 2022

  • How to Backup DNS Server 2022

    How to Backup DNS Server 2022

    In this article, I will explain how to backup DNS Windows Server 2022. Domain Name System/Server or DNS is the heart of each thing we do, on the internet and on the LAN. It is the directory book that changes names to IP addresses so we don’t have to remember the figures that represent websites, hostnames, and other resources. DNS is commonly considered an important infrastructure component.

    When a disaster happened with a DNS Server, we need to restore the DNS zone to its earlier state as soon as possible. In this article, we have two options for achieving this operation. The initial option in AD DS is authoritative restore. A reliable restore of an Active Directory would take complex time-consuming and also demands the use of backups and restart of DCs. The 2nd one is to use the DNSCMD.exe using the PowerShell command to backup the zones to a text file, which is Obtainable for Windows Servers. The DNSCMD restore takes some minutes to restore a zone. We can apply to both (forward, reverse) lookup zones, either text-based or Active Directory-integrated.

    Backup DNS Windows Server 2022

    Article Scenario

    Backup DNS zones via DNSCMD PowerShell command.

    2nd, we will delete xpertstec.local DNS zones from a server for creating the disaster.

    Last, we restore xpertstec.local zone from a file the one we created with the DNSCMD command.

    How to take a DNS backup (xpertstec.

    Log in to the Domain Controller, run Windows PowerShell and then type the following commands to backup DNS zones.

    dnscmd WS2022-DC /ZoneExport xpertstec.local backup\xpertstec.local.dns.bkp

    dnscmd WS2022-DC /ZoneExport _msdcs.xpertstec.local backup_msdcs.xpertstec.local.dns.bkp

    Where WS2022-DC is the DNS server name.

    Backup DNS PowerShell

    The DNS backup copy (a text file) will be saved to the backup directory.

    C:\Windows\System32\dns\backup

    Launch Windows Explorer and then go to the C:\Windows\System32\dns\backup directory to verify its contents.

    C:\Windows\System32\dnsbackup

    How to Delete DNS zones from DNS manager

    Launch DNS Manager, expand the DNS server (WS2022-DC) node and then expand Forward Lookup Zones.

    Right-click on xpertstec.local zone and then select delete.

    DNS Manager

    Click Yes

    Delete the DNS zone warning

    And Yes again delete the zone from (Active Directory and DNS Server).

    Remove the DNS zone warning

    How to Restore the domain DNS zone

    Open DNS Manager, and expand the DNS Server.

    Right click on Forward Lookup Zone and then click on New Zone.

    DNS Manager create new zone

    Welcome to the New Zone Wizard, click Next.

    Welcome to the new zone wizard

    Zone Type window, choose Primary zone and then deselect the Store the zone in Active Directory, click next.

    New zone wizard primary zone

    Zone Name window, enter the name of the zone being restored, xpertstec.local and then click next.

    Backup DNS wizard zone name

    Choose the option Use this existing file radio button and then click Next.

    Backup DNS wizard zone file

    Please make sure the current backup of the xpertstec.

    Copy the xpertstec.local.dns.bkp file to the backup directory.

    Backup DNS directory Windows Server

    Paste it into the following directory
    C:\Windows\System32\dns

    Backup DNS directory Windows Server

    Right-click on xpertstec.local.dns.bkp and then select rename.

    Rename Backup DNS

    Remove the .bkp extension, press enter, and click yes.

    Backup DNS directory

    Go back to the Zone File Wizard, and then click Next.

    Restore DNS wizard zone file

    Dynamic Update wizard window, choose to Allow both nonsecure and secure dynamic updates, and then click next.

    Restore DNS wizard dynamic update

    Click finish

    Completing the new zone wizard

    Forward lookup zone (xpertstec.local) has been created successfully.
    Right Click on xpertstec.local zone and then select Properties.

    DNS manager

    Click on the Change… button next to the Primary field.

    Backup DNS dynamic update

    Change the Zone Type window, make sure the Primary zone is selected
    Select the option Store the zone in Active Directory and then click ok.

    Change zone type DNS

    Click Yes to accept the change.

    dns active directory integrated

    On the xpertstec.local zone Properties window, choose Secure only at Dynamic updates field and click ok.

    Local DNS server properties

    Finally, we have our DNS Zone up and running.

    Summary:

    By using the above steps, you can backup, and restore, the copies of the DNS zones in a way that allows high availability for your DNS

    For more details please visit Microsoft

    Read more: How to Backup, Restore, and Reset Windows Server.