There comes a time you have to let go the Windows GUI and use command lines. Hope this post could help.

Situation:

Install the first AD server in a new AD forest.

First add the Active Directory Domain Service role to the server. Use Install-WindowsFeature cmdlet.

Install-WindowsFeature –name AD-Domain-services

 

Use the Get-Windowsfeature cmdlet to check the installation status.

Get-WindowsFeature

As we are going to install a new domain in a new forest, use the Install-addsforest cmdlet to install the AD.

Install-ADDSForest –DomainName Frenchitguy.com

Enter the safe mode administrator password and confirm

Enter Yes

Install in progress

The server will reboot automatically. If you don’t want to reboot, use the –norebootoncompletion argument with the Install-ADDSforest cmdlet.

You can use the –WhatIf argument to review the configuration information.

Install-ADDSForest –DomainName Frenchitguy.com –WhatIf

That’s it. Your first DC in your first domain and forest is ready to go!