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#3 in Windows ServerUdemyBestseller on UdemyWindows ServerPaid courseAll LevelsCertificate

Active Directory on Windows Server (Udemy.com)

Learn how to deploy and manage all aspects of Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS and many more technologies

4.6
14,799 reviews

Created by: Kevin Brown

Last updated October 2025

Our take

Based on the ratings of 14,799 students, a sample of their written reviews and the syllabus, as the course stood in October 2025. No course pays to be reviewed.

Kevin Brown's course is a demo-first walk through Active Directory on Windows Server. It runs 6.9 hours across 63 lectures, and most of it is him working in the real interface: installing domain controllers, building OUs, managing users and groups, setting up sites and trusts, backing up and restoring, and standing up certificate services. A bonus section on migrating domain controllers to a newer operating system takes up about 106 of the 416 minutes. The stated level is all levels, but it fits people who already know basic Windows networking.

Reviewers like the clarity. Phrases that turn up are step-by-step, no unnecessary jargon, and labs that feel hands on. One says Kevin breaks complex ideas into small pieces. The complaints are consistent too. A few call it a brief introduction with only a small overview of advanced topics, and one says Group Policy stays shallow and points to a separate course from the same instructor. A career changer wanted the terminology explained more, and one three-star reviewer found the delivery drawn out over long sittings.

The numbers back it up: 4.6 stars from 14,799 ratings, with about 13,500 of them four or five stars, and the last update was October 2025. Treat it as a practical first pass that pairs well with a home lab, not a deep dive. Complete beginners to IT should start with something gentler, and anyone who needs real depth on Group Policy will want that other course.

Best forNew sysadmins with some networking basics who want to watch every AD setting configured on screen.
Skip it ifYou are brand new to IT or want deep Group Policy coverage, since reviewers call this a brief introduction.

Pros

  • Every setting is shown in the real interface, with step-by-step demos reviewers say they can reuse later
  • Clear, jargon-light explanations that break big ideas into small pieces
  • Covers core admin tasks: installs, OUs, sites, trusts, RODCs, FSMO roles and restores
  • Bonus section walks through migrating domain controllers to a newer OS

Cons

  • Reviewers call it a brief introduction, with advanced topics only skimmed
  • Group Policy gets about 40 minutes, so it stays shallow
  • Assumes basic IT and networking knowledge, so total newcomers may struggle
Great for understanding AD management, lots of lab demonstrations which are actually useful and feel like a hands on experience.
Angel Gaspar, a student

Stated as all levels, but the requirements and reviews point to people with basic Windows networking knowledge.

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What you will learn

  • Deploy domain controllers
  • Understand OU, Domain and Forest design
  • Deploy Read Only Domain Controllers (RODCs)
  • Manage Operations Masters (FSMO)
  • Manage user accounts, computer accounts and groups
  • Deploy domain controllers using PowerShell
  • Plan Active Directory Sites and manage replication
  • Perform Active Directory migrations
  • Deploy and manage Certificate Services/Certification Authorities

Course content

15 sections · 63 lectures · 6.9 hours of video 1 quiz

  1. 1Introduction 2 free previews4 lectures · 4 min
  2. 2Active Directory Overview & Terminology 1 free preview1 lecture · 15 min
  3. 3Active Directory Installation 2 free previews12 lectures · 1 hour
  4. 4Domain Overview 1 free preview5 lectures · 11 min
  5. 5Managing Active Directory Objects5 lectures · 1 hour
  6. 6Active Directory Login Process1 lecture · 3 min
  7. 7Group Policy Fundamentals 2 free previews4 lectures · 40 min
  8. 8Operations Master Roles2 lectures · 1 quiz · 11 min
  9. 9Understanding Forest and Domain Functional Levels2 lectures · 5 min
  10. 10Read Only Domain Controllers (RODC)2 lectures · 13 min

Who it is for

The instructor says it suits

  • This course is targeted to those that want to learn active directory deployment and administration.

What you need before you start

  • A basic understanding of Windows based networks.
  • Understand the concept of an Active Directory Domain

How it compares

Against the other 112 rated Udemy courses in Windows Server on CourseDuck:

  • Rating4.6 out of 5higher than 71% of them
  • Reviews14,799#3 of 113 by number of reviews
  • Length6.9 hoursshorter than 49% of them
  • Last updatedOctober 2025more recently than 66% of them

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Course Description

Do you want to be a master of Active Directory? If so, this course is intended for you. This course will broaden your knowledge of active directory domain services (AD DS). You will learn how to configure some of the key features in Active Directory such as Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), Group Policy, Dynamic Access Control (DAC), Work Folders, Work Place Join, Certificate Services, Rights Management Services (RMS), Federation Services, as well as integrating your on premise environment with cloud based technologies such as Windows Azure Active Directory.

This course is beneficial for those that are already IT professionals and for those that are entering the IT field.

You will learn:

· Active Directory terms

· Active Directory deployment

· Deployment using PowerShell

· User account creation and management

· Computer account creation and management

· Group administration

· OU structuring and management

· Configuring delegation

· Planning Global Catalog placement

· Read Only Domain Controller deployment

· Managing Operations Masters (FSMO Roles)

· Group Policy fundamentals

· Domain and Forest functional levels

· Implementation of the Active Directory Recycle Bin

· Planning Active Directory site design

· Configuring Active Directory sites

· Planning Active Directory Trusts relationships

· Creating trusts between two separate forests

· Disaster preparedness and recovery of Active Directory

· Restoring Active Directory objects

· And more...
Read More All Levels All Levels product length iconTime: 6.9h

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Instructor Details

Kevin Brown

I have been in the technology field for more than 20 years.  I have been a high performing Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) since 2000 and a Cisco Certified Systems Instructor since 2006.  I began my career in telecommunications more than 20 years ago.  Since then I have worked as a Systems Admin, Network Admin, System integrator, Solutions Architect, and CTO. My courses are not presentations that rely on slides to explain concepts.  My goal is to demonstrate every concept covered, instead of using slides that cover theory, we will use the interface to configure every setting that is discussed.  In my view, if you do not know how to complete a task that a course covered, that course was not beneficial.  I will make sure that you know how to complete each task and the various configurations for those tasks.

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Reviews

4.6

14,799 ratings on Udemy

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By Matthew John Greaves on 8/31/2026

A very thorough introduction to Active Directory. The explanations are clear and everything has step-by step examples. Bear in mind you will need some basic IT and networking knowledge to get the most out of this. Also, this doesn't go very deep into Group Policy. Kevin has a separate course for that. I have bought a couple more of Kevin's courses of the strength of this one! Highly recommended! Thanks!

By Sahil Chowdhury on 8/30/2026

First of all, the this is such a useful course for those who really wanted to transition their career from other domains to some IT service management domain. But I expect it to be more detailed such as : the terminologies should be more explanatory. Still, I can say this course is very useful and got to know a lot of things about active directory and security. Thank you, Kevin Brown.

By Burak Kavcı on 7/15/2026

As a system and network administrator who has just started, this was exactly what I needed. Especially the step-by-step explanations on how to do things—they help me remember the procedures much more quickly whenever I need them. Keep in mind that this is a brief introduction to Active Directory and only a small overview of more advanced topics. Thank you for your effort!

By Deepak Rai on 6/28/2026

it help a lot to understand the Active Directory and I also Learn how I can use in the real life now I'm Going to make a Virtual Lab and Preform all the Features of AD and Thank You

By Gerardo Mora Macias on 6/26/2026

Kevin is great explaining concepts. This course is just getting started and he is breaking down complex concepts into smaller pieces that are easy to understand for almost everyone (with basic IT knowledge).

By Hussain Shide on 5/26/2026

The course provided a solid foundation in Active Directory concepts, covering key topics in a clear and well-structured manner. I came away with a better understanding of how to manage users, groups, and policies within a Windows Server environment — skills that are highly relevant in any IT or sysadmin role. I'd recommend it to anyone looking to build or refresh their knowledge of Active Directory

By John Leonard Barrett on 4/16/2026

For me I'm entering into a new world, however learning a new skill is only a matter of breaking it down into manageable steps and processes. This course provides that capability.

By Taiwo Salau on 4/11/2026

4:44 - There's an incorrect statement made about the DFS Replication Log, its actually used to monitor and troubleshoot Distributed File System Replication (DFSR), which synchronizes files and folders between multiple servers.

By Juan Perez on 2/18/2026

As a new sys admin, this course given me a better understanding and much needed insight on how to utilize active directory. Of course, I'll go through once more to help reinforce my understanding of the material. Thank you!

By Elijah Warriner on 1/29/2026

Taught me a great amount of knowledge in a reasonably short amount of time. While I was not following along on the labs as I just needed to know how it all worked together, it was very helpful.

By Tracy Riley on 11/15/2020

I am a beginner in the serv admin field, there is a lot of content in this course and purposes were not clear to me as to why some of the instructions where given. I guess I would say how would I use at my work place server.
In summary, I did get a lot of information, however I need to do a lab at the same time to implement instructions.
Thank you!

By Clemon Gloster on 11/8/2020

The instructor is amazing. He teaches in a way that I have no issues picking up the info.

Showing 12 of 308 reviews

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Overall Score : 92 / 100

Active Directory on Windows Server
Visit course on Udemy Write a review
  • Video Duration: icon 6.9h
  • Price: $14.99
  • Provider: icon Udemy
  • Updated: icon October 2025
  • Level: All Levels All Levels
  • Language: icon English
  • Certificate: icon Yes
  • Lectures:63 in 15 sections
  • Practice:1 quiz
  • Students:53,700
  • Subtitles:17 languages
  • Udemy badge:Bestseller
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