Windows Server Initial Configuration

We talked about windows server 2022 and the installation in the previous posts. Now we are going to talk about some initial configurations after installing a windows server. These are some important things to do. We have 2 ways of performing these configurations. 1- Graphically 2- Command line

Initial Configurations Graphically

1. Change the server’s name

To use our new windows server, we should change its name. It is the first step in configuring our windows server. These are ways to reach the computer name change window:

1. Open run in start –> type sysdm.cpl –> Click on change –> Change computer name part
2. Open setting –> System –> About –> Rename this PC

Command-line:

netdom renamecomputer member /newname:member1.contoso.com /userd:administrator

    ** After you changed the computer name you need to restart your windows**

 

2. Change the time zone

Changing your time zone to your current zone help you to work better and join your company domain.

Open setting –> Time & Language –> Date & Time –> Time Zone

 

Command-line: open command prompt(CMD) with administrative access

tzutil / l   à  This command shows you available time zones

tzutil / s “ your time zone name” Press ENTER

 

                         **I have set the time zone to PST time for an example**

3. Configure TCP/IP setting

For using your windows server and joining it to your domain, you should set a static IP for it. For doing this you can do:

1. setting –> Network & Internet –> Change adapter option –> right-click on your network adapter and choose properties –> Double click on Internet protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) –> type your intended IP
2. Open run –> type ncpa.cpl –> you can follow the previous steps after this command

 

 

 

Command-line: open cmd

Netsh interface ipv4 set address name=<> source=static address= mask=subnet mask gateway=Gatewayaddress

Set DNS:

Netsh interface ipv4 add dnsserver name=<> address=DNSIPAddress index=1

*NOTE: index=1 is your preferred DNS server and index=2 is Alternate DNS

You can confirm the IP address you can use:

Ipconfig /all

This command shows you all your networking details like IP, subnet mask, DNS

 

 

4. Join a domain

After all the previous steps, your windows server is now ready to join your domain. You can do it like:

1. Setting –> System –> About –> on the right side choose to Rename this PC(Advanced) –> Change –> in the domain part right your domain name and put the admin password and restart your windows
2. Open run –> type sysdm.cpl –> and the previous steps

 

 

Command-line: open cmd

Netdom join %ComputerName% /domain: DomainName /userd: UserName /passwordd:*

You should type the username and password twice and hit enter for that

Now you should restart your windows, so type:

Shutdown -r -t 1

 

5. Automatic update

You can check for new updates manually for your windows server. For this you can go with this instruction:

Setting –> Update & Security –> Click on check for update

 

6. Enable remote desktop

In order to use your windows server, it is better to enable the remote desktop.

Open server manager –> click Local Server –> Remote Desktop –> click Allow Remote Connections to this computer

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