Getting ready

In some organizations, changes can only be made using scripts and must be accompanied by roll-back scripts. In these cases, the answer file and the PowerShell cmdlets offer the best method. On Server Core installations of Windows Server, only the last two options are available, unless you use Server Manager to remotely manage the server you intend to promote to a domain controller.

The Active Directory Domain Services Configuration Wizard no longer features the option to not reboot the Windows Server installation intended as a domain controller after successful promotion. If you need this option, for instance to harden the domain controller before the first boot with custom scripts, then you can't use the wizard. Use dcpromo.exe or the PowerShell cmdlets in these cases.