How to Set Up a Windows Server Domain Controller in Proxmox

If you work in IT support or at an MSP, Active Directory is something you deal with every single day. But unless you have a spare Windows Server license and a test environment lying around, it’s hard to actually practice — or break things safely. That’s where your homelab comes in. In this guide I’ll walk you through setting up a Windows Server 2022 VM in Proxmox and promoting it to a functioning Domain Controller. No production systems at risk. No expensive licenses needed to get started. ...

June 13, 2026 · 7 min · Ward