OpenCourser brand icon
Sign in
Sorry, this page is no longer available
We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Udemy logo

Active Directory and Windows Server 40+ Hour with Labs

4.4 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Based on 521 ratings
see reviews
Vitalii Shumylo

This course is aimed to IT Pros and is supposed to give the viewer the complete information they need to know about Active Directory (AD DS) and its key concepts. The goal is to provide coverage of basic and advanced AD DS deployments, how to deploy a distributed AD DS environment and configure AD DS components.

This course will be updated monthly.

The course is targeted to help learning Active Directory and do your job more efficiently. 

It's all in 1 course and it consists of:

• Install and configure domain controllers

• Manage objects in AD DS by using graphical tools and Windows PowerShell

Read more

This course is aimed to IT Pros and is supposed to give the viewer the complete information they need to know about Active Directory (AD DS) and its key concepts. The goal is to provide coverage of basic and advanced AD DS deployments, how to deploy a distributed AD DS environment and configure AD DS components.

This course will be updated monthly.

The course is targeted to help learning Active Directory and do your job more efficiently. 

It's all in 1 course and it consists of:

• Install and configure domain controllers

• Manage objects in AD DS by using graphical tools and Windows PowerShell

• Implement AD DS in complex environments

• Implement AD DS sites, and configure and manage replication

• Implement and manage Group Policy Objects (GPOs)

• Manage user settings by using GPOs

• Secure AD DS and user accounts

• Implement and manage a certificate authority (CA) hierarchy with AD CS

• Deploy and manage certificates

• Implement and administer Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS)

• Implement and administer Active Directory Rights Management Services (AD RMS)

• Implement synchronization between AD DS and Azure AD

• Monitor, troubleshoot, and establish business continuity for AD DS services

New courses on Active Directory will be added here.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Describe the components of AD DS.

  • Describe AD DS domains.

  • Describe OUs and their purpose.

  • Describe AD DS forests and trees and explain how you can deploy them in a network.

  • Explain how an AD DS schema provides a set of rules that manage the objects and attributes that the AD DS domain database stores.

  • Describe Microsoft Azure Active Directory (Azure AD).

  • Identify the tools available for administering AD DS.

  • Describe what is new for on-premises Active Directory Domain Services in Windows Server

  • What is a domain controller?

  • What is a global catalog?

  • Give an overview of domain controller SRV records

  • AD DS sign-in process

  • What are operations masters?

  • Transfer and seize FSMO roles

  • Deploy a domain controller

  • Install a domain controller from Server Manager

  • Install a domain controller on a Server Core installation of Windows Server

  • Install a domain controller by installing from media

  • Clone domain controllers

  • Add Another domain controllers

  • Install a domain controller and manage FSMO roles with Powershell

  • Create user accounts.

  • Configure user account attributes.

  • Manage user accounts.

  • Create user profiles.

  • Manage inactive and disabled user accounts.

  • Explain user account templates.

  • Use user account templates to manage accounts.

  • Perform all these operations with Powershell

  • Group types and scopes

  • Default groups

  • Special identities

  • Computer accounts

  • Control permissions to create computer accounts

  • Join a computer to a domain

  • OU hierarchy

  • ADDS permissions

  • Deploying a domain controller in Azure IaaS

  • Managing objects in complex AD DS deployments

  • AD DS domain functional levels

  • AD DS forest functional levels

  • Deploying new AD DS domains

  • Demonstration: Installing a domain controller in a new domain in an existing forest

  • Considerations for implementing complex AD DS environments

  • Upgrading a previous version of AD DS to Windows Server

  • Migrating to Windows Server AD DS from a previous version

  • Implement Group Policy

  • Implement administrative Group Policy (GPOs) templates

  • Group Policy Troubleshooting

  • Group Policy Deployment Strategies

  • Group Policy Scripting

  • Configure Folder Redirection, software installation, and scripts

  • Configure Group Policy preferences

  • Item-level targeting with Group Policy (GPOs)

  • Securing domain controllers

  • Deploying an RODC

  • Implementing account security

  • Password policies

  • Account lockout policies

  • Fine-grained password and lockout policies

  • PSO precedence and resultant PSO

  • Implementing audit authentication

  • Account logon and logon events

  • Configuring managed service accounts

  • Challenges of using service accounts

  • Overview of managed service accounts

  • Configuring group MSAs

  • Deploy and manage certificate templates.

  • Manage certificate deployment, revocation, and recovery.

  • Use certificates in a business environment.

  • Implement and manage smart cards.

  • Much more...

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Domain controllers, operations masters, gc
  • Managing users accounts and properties
  • Managing groups, computers and ous
  • Managing advanced ad ds infrastructure
  • Much more...

Syllabus

Active Directory: Introduction and Administration Tools
Course introduction
Module 1: Installing and configuring domain controllers. Overview
AD DS components
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers deploying domain controllers in Azure IaaS, which is useful for organizations adopting hybrid cloud solutions
Teaches how to implement synchronization between AD DS and Azure AD, which is essential for modern identity management
Explores Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS), which is relevant for single sign-on (SSO) and identity federation scenarios
Includes coverage of Active Directory Rights Management Services (AD RMS), which helps protect sensitive information
Features demonstrations using Powershell, which is a core skill for automating AD DS administration tasks
Focuses on Windows Server, so learners should ensure they have access to a Windows Server environment for hands-on practice

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Active directory and windows server for it pros

According to learners, this course provides a positive">solid foundation and positive">comprehensive coverage of Active Directory and Windows Server essentials. Many students specifically highlight the positive">practical labs and demos as incredibly helpful for positive">hands-on learning and applying concepts directly to job tasks. Reviewers appreciate the positive">clear explanations and the instructor's positive">knowledgeable delivery. While generally well-received, some suggest the course is best suited for those with warning">some prior IT background, and a few mention that certain modules could be neutral">updated to reflect the latest Windows Server versions, although the course description notes ongoing updates.
Better suited if you have some IT background.
"This isn't for absolute beginners, you need some basic IT concepts."
"Having some server experience helps understand the pace."
"I struggled a bit without prior Windows Server exposure."
"Recommended if you already have a basic understanding of networking and servers."
Instructor explains complex topics well.
"The instructor's explanations were clear and easy to follow."
"He clearly knows his stuff."
"Great teaching style."
"Instructor is knowledgeable and presents information effectively."
Skills learned are practical for work.
"This course helped me perform my job duties related to AD more efficiently."
"Learned practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately."
"Directly applicable to real-world IT administration tasks."
"The content is very relevant to anyone working with Windows Server."
Covers a wide range of AD and WS topics.
"The course covers a broad spectrum of Active Directory features."
"Includes everything from basic user management to GPOs and more."
"Good overview of AD DS and related services."
"A very comprehensive course on Active Directory fundamentals and advanced topics."
Hands-on practice is highly valued.
"The labs were incredibly helpful for hands-on practice."
"I found the demonstrations and labs the most valuable part."
"Really cemented the concepts through practical application."
"The practical labs make learning Active Directory so much easier."
Some content may reference older practices.
"Some modules feel a bit dated, mentioning older Windows Server versions."
"Could use updates for the newest Server OS features."
"While fundamentals are covered, I'd like to see more on current trends."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Active Directory and Windows Server 40+ Hour with Labs with these activities:
Review Active Directory Fundamentals
Reinforce your understanding of core Active Directory concepts before diving into advanced topics. This will help you grasp the more complex configurations and troubleshooting scenarios covered in the course.
Browse courses on Active Directory
Show steps
  • Review the basic concepts of domains, forests, and organizational units.
  • Familiarize yourself with the different roles and responsibilities of domain controllers.
  • Understand the purpose and function of Group Policy Objects (GPOs).
Review 'Active Directory Administration Cookbook'
Learn practical solutions to common Active Directory administration tasks. This will help you apply the concepts learned in the course to real-world scenarios.
View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon
Show steps
  • Browse the table of contents to identify topics relevant to the course.
  • Read through the recipes related to domain management and user administration.
  • Try implementing some of the solutions in a lab environment.
Practice User and Group Management with PowerShell
Reinforce your understanding of user and group management by practicing common tasks using PowerShell. This will improve your efficiency and automation skills.
Show steps
  • Create scripts to automate user creation and modification.
  • Write scripts to manage group memberships and permissions.
  • Test your scripts in a lab environment to ensure they function correctly.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Troubleshooting Guide for Common Active Directory Issues
Deepen your understanding of Active Directory troubleshooting by creating a guide that addresses common issues and their solutions. This will improve your problem-solving skills.
Show steps
  • Research common Active Directory issues, such as replication errors and authentication failures.
  • Document the steps to diagnose and resolve each issue.
  • Organize the guide in a clear and concise manner.
  • Include screenshots and examples to illustrate the troubleshooting steps.
Design and Implement a Multi-Domain Active Directory Environment
Apply your knowledge by designing and implementing a multi-domain Active Directory environment in a lab setting. This will solidify your understanding of complex AD deployments.
Show steps
  • Plan the domain structure, including forests, domains, and OUs.
  • Configure domain controllers and establish trust relationships.
  • Implement Group Policy to manage user and computer settings across domains.
  • Document your design and implementation process.
Review 'Mastering Active Directory'
Gain a deeper understanding of advanced Active Directory concepts and techniques. This will help you become an expert in the field.
View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon
Show steps
  • Focus on chapters related to security, performance optimization, and disaster recovery.
  • Take notes on key concepts and techniques.
  • Consider how you can apply these concepts to your own Active Directory environment.
Contribute to an Open Source Active Directory Project
Enhance your skills by contributing to an open-source project related to Active Directory. This will give you practical experience and exposure to real-world challenges.
Show steps
  • Find an open-source project related to Active Directory on platforms like GitHub.
  • Review the project's documentation and code.
  • Identify areas where you can contribute, such as bug fixes or new features.
  • Submit your contributions to the project.

Career center

Learners who complete Active Directory and Windows Server 40+ Hour with Labs will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Systems Administrator
A Systems Administrator is responsible for the upkeep, configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems, especially servers. This role relies on a robust understanding of Active Directory, and this course directly addresses that by providing a complete overview of Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). The administrator uses these skills to manage user accounts, implement group policies, secure domain controllers, and ensure smooth network operations. This knowledge, covering the breadth of AD DS deployments, from domains to forests, and including Azure AD integration makes this course particularly helpful for anyone wanting to thrive as a systems administrator.
See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator
Network Administrator
The role of a Network Administrator involves maintaining and managing an organization's computer network, which often includes Active Directory. This course gives learners in-depth knowledge about AD DS, which is critical for managing network resources, user access, and group policies. A network administrator also needs to implement security measures and establish business continuity for AD DS services, which is covered in this course. This course is valuable for aspiring network administrators looking to gain hands-on experience in administering critical network infrastructure with this specific training on deploying, managing and securing these key components.
See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator
IT Support Specialist
An IT Support Specialist provides technical assistance to users, often involving Active Directory for account management and troubleshooting. This course helps a specialist understand the components of AD DS, how to manage users and groups, and how to implement Group Policy Objects. This course covers installing and configuring domain controllers, which is foundational for any IT support specialist, especially those that manage a Windows-based corporate network. It also provides detailed knowledge of managing user settings through GPOs and securing user accounts.
See salaries and explore the career path for IT Support Specialist
Help Desk Technician
A Help Desk Technician addresses end-user issues, many of which involve Active Directory account and access problems. This course provides a structured approach to understanding AD DS domains, user accounts, and group management which is critical for a help desk technician. It teaches how to manage user settings using GPOs, secure AD DS and user accounts, and troubleshoot AD DS services. This direct focus on troubleshooting and account management makes this course a worthwhile option for any user seeking a career in a technical help desk role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Help Desk Technician
Cloud Solutions Architect
A Cloud Solutions Architect designs and implements cloud-based solutions, often involving hybrid environments that integrate Active Directory with Azure AD. This course is a strong starting point, providing a detailed introduction to the core concepts, such as AD DS domains and forests, and how to implement synchronization between AD DS and Azure AD, all of which are very important. Understanding how to integrate on-premises AD with cloud services is crucial for a cloud architect. The training provided in this course on federation services and rights management can be pivotal.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Solutions Architect
Information Security Analyst
An Information Security Analyst focuses on protecting an organization's systems and data, and Active Directory is a key component of that. This course covers the security aspects of Active Directory, including how to secure user accounts, implement password policies, deploy certificates, and audit authentication, which a security analyst should know. The course also covers security measures for domain controllers and user accounts making this a useful introduction to this crucial infrastructure for security professionals. Specifically, the course's focus on account security and auditing authentication are highly relevant to this career.
See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst
System Security Engineer
A System Security Engineer focuses on the security of an organization's systems. Given that Active Directory is a critical part of a domain infrastructure, this course may be useful for someone in this role. The skills taught, such as protecting user accounts, implementing password policies, and managing certificate authorities are directly relevant. The course's extensive coverage of securing domain controllers and implementing various security protocols can enhance a security engineer’s skill set.
See salaries and explore the career path for System Security Engineer
Cybersecurity Specialist
A Cybersecurity Specialist works to protect computer systems and networks from threats and vulnerabilities. This course may be useful because of the way it covers how to secure Active Directory environments, including implementing password policies, managing certificates, and auditing authentication. The coverage of securing domain controllers and managing user accounts is essential knowledge for cybersecurity specialists, which this course delivers. This course helps one implement and manage solutions effectively.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Specialist
Network Engineer
A Network Engineer designs, implements, and manages network infrastructure. Knowledge of Active Directory is important, as it is a fundamental part of many network environments. This course may be useful, as it provides an understanding for how to deploy and manage domain controllers, configure replication, and manage Group Policy Objects. This course specifically trains learners in advanced AD DS deployments, implementation and configuration of replication, and setting up and managing GPOs, which all can contribute to the Network Engineer's professional growth.
See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer
IT Project Manager
An IT Project Manager oversees technical projects, which can often include Active Directory deployments or upgrades. This course gives a broad understanding of AD DS components, deployments, and configurations, which enables the IT project manager to communicate effectively with technical teams. The course covers the deployment and management of certificates, Active Directory Federation Services, and Active Directory Rights Management Services, all of which are important for a project manager to understand. This course may be useful for managing technical teams to manage AD DS projects.
See salaries and explore the career path for IT Project Manager
Technical Trainer
A Technical Trainer educates others on technical topics, and a strong understanding of Active Directory makes one more effective at training others in this domain. This course can provide a complete overview of Active Directory concepts, installations, and management tasks. This course covers all aspects of AD DS from basic to advanced deployments, thus it enhances the trainer's knowledge base and enables them to deliver comprehensive and practical training sessions on Active Directory. This course may be useful to build a deep understanding of key technologies.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Trainer
IT Consultant
An IT Consultant advises organizations on how to best use technology to meet their needs. Active Directory is a core component of many IT systems, so a consultant needs a solid grasp of its capabilities. This course provides an overview of how to manage and implement AD DS, including deploying domain controllers and managing group policies. This course may be useful to provide consultants with well rounded knowledge of AD DS services.
See salaries and explore the career path for IT Consultant
Solutions Architect
A Solutions Architect designs and implements technology solutions that meet specific business needs. This course may be useful because it provides a structured approach to understanding Active Directory, with coverage of domain controllers, replication, and group policies. The course also covers implementation of AD DS in complex environments including Azure AD, which is an essential consideration for solution design. This may be helpful to guide and influence decisions about technology choices.
See salaries and explore the career path for Solutions Architect
Database Administrator
A Database Administrator (DBA) manages and secures database systems. While their primary focus isn't directly on Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), many organizations integrate their database user management with AD. This course may be useful because it helps DBAs grasp how AD user authentication and authorization work and how group policies and permissions can impact database access. The AD DS security and account management aspects of this course help a DBA better coordinate database security with overall network security.
See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator
Software Developer
A Software Developer designs and creates software applications. While their work does not directly involve Active Directory, they may encounter it in enterprise environments. This course may be useful by introducing concepts like user accounts, authentication, and security protocols that can be important within a corporate environment. Specifically, a developer may encounter Group Policy, AD DS authentication and AD RMS, this course may help them to build solutions that interface with these technologies.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Active Directory and Windows Server 40+ Hour with Labs.
Cover image
Putting Knowledge to Work
Save
Provides practical solutions to common Active Directory administration tasks. It offers step-by-step instructions and real-world examples that complement the course material. It is particularly useful for understanding how to implement various AD features and troubleshoot common issues. This book valuable reference for IT professionals managing Active Directory environments.
Putting Knowledge to Work
Paperback
Check
Putting Knowledge to Work
Kindle Edition
Check

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Reddit
X
Link
Email

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Course image
Rating
4.4 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Effort
57.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Vitalii Shumylo
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers deploying domain controllers in Azure IaaS, which is useful for organizations adopting hybrid cloud solutions
Teaches how to implement synchronization between AD DS and Azure AD, which is essential for modern identity management
Explores Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS), which is relevant for single sign-on (SSO) and identity federation scenarios
Includes coverage of Active Directory Rights Management Services (AD RMS), which helps protect sensitive information
Features demonstrations using Powershell, which is a core skill for automating AD DS administration tasks
Focuses on Windows Server, so learners should ensure they have access to a Windows Server environment for hands-on practice
Share this
Share to help others discover this course.
Facebook LinkedIn X Reddit Link Email
Begin learning today
Enroll now to gain full access to Active Directory and Windows Server 40+ Hour with Labs.
Enroll now
Save for later
Add this course to your list. Find it anytime.
Save
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser