AD CS Post-Deployment Configuration on Windows Server

Step-by-step tutorial to configure Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) after installation. Learn how to set up Certification Authority on Windows Server.



After installing Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) on Windows Server, the service remains inactive until you complete the Post-Deployment Configuration.

This configuration is essential because it turns your server into a Certificate Authority (CA) that can issue, manage, and validate digital certificates for secure communication within your network.


Why Post-Deployment Configuration is Important


Completing the Post-Deployment Configuration helps you:


  • Enable Certificate Authority (CA) functionality.

  • Issue and manage digital certificates for users, computers, and services.

  • Secure internal resources with SSL/TLS encryption.

  • Enable certificate auto-enrollment in Active Directory environments.

  • Ensure compliance with security policies and trust management.


  1. Open the AD CS Configuration Wizard




  1. At the top, you’ll see a flag notification → Click on Configure Active Directory Certificate Services on this server.




  1. Click on Configure Active Directory Certificate Services on this server.




  1. Select the Credentials




  1. Use an account with Domain Admin or Enterprise Admin rights.




  1. Click Next.



  1. Configure Role Services


  • Choose Certification Authority.

  • Optionally, you can add Certification Authority Web Enrollment or Online Responder if needed.


And Click Next




  1. Select setup Type


  • Enterprise CA → Integrates with Active Directory, supports auto-enrollment.
  • Standalone CA → Works independently, requires manual certificate requests.

And Click Next




  1. Select CA Type


  • Choose Root CA (first CA in your PKI) or Subordinate CA (if chaining to an existing Root CA).

  • If Root CA, create a new private key.

And Click Next




  1. Create a new private key



  1. Configure Cryptography Settings


  • Key length: 2048-bit (recommended minimum).
  • Hash Algorithm: SHA256.

And Click Next




  1. Configure CA Name


  • Provide a Common Name for the CA.

  • Example: Your Company-RootCA.

And Click Next



  1. . Configure Validity Period


Set certificate validity (commonly 5 or 10 years for a Root CA).


And Click Next




  1. Configure Database Locations


  • Choose default or custom locations for:

  • Certificate Database

  • Certificate Database Log

And Click Next




  1. Configure Database Locations


  • Choose default or custom locations for:

  • Certificate Database

  • Certificate Database Log
  • Review your settings.
  • Click Configure




  1. Once complete, you’ll see a confirmation screen.


Configuration success


And Close




Benefits of Completing AD CS Post-Deployment Configuration


  • Your server officially becomes a Certificate Authority.

  • You can issue certificates for:
  • SSL/TLS for websites
  • VPN authentication
  • Secure email (S/MIME)
  • Wi-Fi authentication
  • Smart Card login
  • Certificates help enforce secure identity & encryption policies across your organization.


Common Use Cases


  • Internal PKI Setup : Secure corporate resources without buying external SSL.

  • VPN Security : User certificates required for VPN connections.

  • Email Encryption : Digitally sign and encrypt internal emails.

  • Server Authentication : Issue certificates for IIS, Exchange, RDS.


Conclusion


Post-Deployment Configuration of AD CS is not optional—it is required to activate and use Certificate Services on Windows Server.

Once configured, your server can issue and manage digital certificates, ensuring secure communication, authentication, and compliance within your IT environment.

Updated on: 23/09/2025

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