Join Windows Server 2019 Server Core to a Domain: One PowerShell Line

This article is for those looking for a detailed and clear guide on how to join Windows Server 2019 Server Core to a Domain.

IMPORTANT

We will consider the case when you already have two servers with the Windows Server 2019 operating system installed on them. In addition, one of the servers must have the Active Directory Domain Services role installed.

You can read more about how to install Windows Server 2019 in my guide Install Windows Server 2019 Server Core.

IMPORTANT

To learn how to install Active Directory Domain Services on Windows Server 2019, read: Install Active Directory Domain Services on Windows Server 2019.

To learn how to install Active Directory Domain Services on Windows Server 2019 Server Core (without a GUI), see my guide: Install Active Directory Domain Services on Windows Server 2019 Server Core.

IMPORTANT

Before joining a server to a domain, you must give the server a correct name according to your organization’s standards, and then assign a static IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and the IP address of the domain controller as a DNS server in the network interface settings.

We go into the system under an account with administrator rights and start Windows PowerShell using the command:

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powershell

NOTE

In this guide, the server joins the heyvaldemar.net domain using an Administrator account that has domain administrator rights.

Join the server to the domain using the command:

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Add-Computer -DomainName heyvaldemar.net -Credential heyvaldemar\Administrator -Restart -Force

Specify the password for an account with domain administrator rights and click on the “OK” button.

After a reboot, the server will apply the security policies used in your domain.

After applying the security policies, the server will be ready to work.