Windows Active Directory Commands for System Administrators | Top Interview Questions & Answers 2025

Windows Active Directory Commands for System Administrators

💻 30+ Essential Windows Active Directory Commands for System Administrators (With Examples) 🚀

System Administrators often need quick access to critical Windows Server commands and Active Directory tools to troubleshoot issues, manage services, or optimize server performance. Here’s a detailed guide to the most useful Windows and Active Directory commands that every sysadmin should master — along with examples and use cases.

🔹 Basic Windows Server & System Commands

These commands are essential for day-to-day system diagnostics, server management, and basic configurations.

1️⃣ hostname – Display the Server Name 🖥️

Description: Shows the computer/server name.
Example:

C:\> hostname

Windows Active Directory Commands for System Administrators | Top Interview Questions & Answers 2025

2️⃣ whoami – Display Logged-In User 👤

Description: Shows the current username of the logged-in session.
Example:

C:\> whoami

3️⃣ net stats srv – Show Last Reboot Time ⏱️

Description: Displays statistics about the server service, including uptime.
Example:

C:\> net stats srv

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4️⃣ diskmgmt.msc – Manage Disks 💽

Description: Opens Disk Management GUI to partition and manage drives.
Example:

C:\> diskmgmt.msc

5️⃣ ncpa.cpl – Show Network Connections 🌐

Description: Opens the Network Connections window.
Example:

C:\> ncpa.cpl

6️⃣ secpol.msc – Open Security Policies 🔐

Description: Launches Local Security Policy manager.
Example:

C:\> secpol.msc

7️⃣ dsa.msc – Open Active Directory Console 🗂️

Description: Opens Active Directory Users and Computers.
Example:

C:\> dsa.msc

8️⃣ services.msc – Manage Services ⚙️

Description: Opens Windows Services GUI.
Example:

C:\> services.msc

9️⃣ ipconfig /all – Display Full Network Config 📡

Description: Shows detailed IP, MAC, DNS, DHCP info.
Example:

C:\> ipconfig /all

🔟 mmc – Open Microsoft Management Console 🧰

Description: Customizable GUI for adding admin snap-ins.
Example:

C:\> mmc

1️⃣1️⃣ repadmin /showrepl – AD Replication Details 🔄

Description: Displays replication status between AD domain controllers.
Example:

C:\> repadmin /showrepl

1️⃣2️⃣ shutdown /r – Restart Server 🔁

Description: Restarts the local or remote server.
Example:

C:\> shutdown /r /t 0

1️⃣3️⃣ shutdown /s – Shutdown Server 📴

Description: Powers down the machine.
Example:

C:\> shutdown /s /t 0

1️⃣4️⃣ repadmin /replsum – AD Replication Summary 📊

Description: Summarizes replication health and errors.
Example:

C:\> repadmin /replsum

1️⃣5️⃣ regedit – Open Registry Editor 📝

Description: Opens the Windows Registry for editing keys and values.
Example:

C:\> regedit

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🔹 Common Active Directory Ports (Client ↔ Server Communication)

Understanding these ports is critical for firewall configuration and AD communication:

Port	Protocol	Service
25	TCP	SMTP (Email) 📧
53	UDP	DNS 🌍
67	UDP	DHCP 📦
80	TCP	HTTP 🌐
443	TCP	HTTPS 🔒
88	TCP/UDP	Kerberos 🔑
3389	TCP	RDP 🖥️

These ports must be open between domain controllers, clients, and other servers for proper AD functioning.

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Windows Active Directory Commands for System Administrators | Top Interview Questions & Answers 2025

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🔹 Networking Commands for Windows Administrators

Mastering these commands is essential for network troubleshooting, IP management, and diagnosing connectivity issues.

ipconfig – Show Basic Network Config 🌐

Example:

C:\> ipconfig

ipconfig /all – Detailed Network Info 📡

Displays: IP address, MAC, DNS, Gateway, etc.

ipconfig /release – Release DHCP IP 🚪

Use when changing networks or resetting connection:

C:\> ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew – Renew IP from DHCP 🔄

Example:

C:\> ipconfig /renew

ipconfig /flushdns – Clear DNS Cache 🧹

Helps fix DNS-related issues.

C:\> ipconfig /flushdns

ping [IP] – Test Network Connectivity 📶

Example:

C:\> ping 8.8.8.8

tracert [IP/Domain] – Trace Network Route 🛣️

Shows hops between your system and target.

C:\> tracert google.com

nslookup [domain] – DNS Name Resolution 🌍

Example:

C:\> nslookup openai.com

netstat -an – View Active Connections 🔍

Monitor network activity and listening ports.

C:\> netstat -an

arp -a – Display ARP Table 📝

Maps IP addresses to MAC addresses.

C:\> arp -a

getmac – Show MAC Address 📡

Example:

C:\> getmac

net use – Connect to Shared Resource 🔗

Map a shared folder.

C:\> net use Z: \\server\sharedfolder

net share – List Shared Folders 📂

C:\> net share

net start – List Running Services ⚙️

C:\> net start

net stop [service] – Stop a Service ⛔

C:\> net stop spooler

netsh – Advanced Network Configuration 🛠️

Examples: Change IP, firewall rules, wireless settings, etc.

C:\> netsh interface ipv4 show config

 

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Whether you’re managing Windows Servers, Active Directory environments, or corporate networks, these commands are must-know tools for:

• Diagnosing system/network issues
• Managing users, services, and roles
• Ensuring server uptime and security
• Performing routine and emergency maintenance

 

 

✅ Top 20 Windows System Administrator Interview Questions & Answers

 

1️⃣ What is Active Directory (AD)?

Answer:
Active Directory is a directory service developed by Microsoft for Windows domain networks. It stores information about users, computers, and other resources, and allows administrators to manage permissions and access.

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2️⃣ What is the difference between a domain, a workgroup, and a homegroup?

Answer:

• Domain: Centralized management; used in enterprise environments with Active Directory.
• Workgroup: Peer-to-peer network; no centralized control.
• Homegroup: (Deprecated) Used for easy sharing in home networks.

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3️⃣ What is a Group Policy?

Answer:
Group Policy is a feature in Windows Server that allows administrators to control user and computer settings centrally through Group Policy Objects (GPOs). It helps enforce security, configure desktops, and deploy software.

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4️⃣ What are FSMO roles in Active Directory?

Answer:
FSMO (Flexible Single Master Operations) roles are special roles assigned to domain controllers:

1. Schema Master
2. Domain Naming Master
3. RID Master
4. PDC Emulator
5. Infrastructure Master

Each serves a specific purpose in maintaining AD functionality.

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5️⃣ What is the difference between LDAP and LDAPS?

Answer:

• LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) uses port 389 and is unencrypted.
• LDAPS is the secure version using SSL/TLS on port 636.

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6️⃣ What is a DNS and how does it work in Windows Server?

Answer:
DNS (Domain Name System) translates domain names into IP addresses. In Windows environments, it’s closely integrated with Active Directory for name resolution of internal resources.

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7️⃣ How do you promote a server to a domain controller?

Answer:

1. Install Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS).
2. Use the dcpromo tool or Server Manager.
3. Follow the wizard to add a new forest, domain, or controller.

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8️⃣ What command shows the IP configuration of a machine?

Answer:

ipconfig /all

This shows IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, MAC, and DNS settings.

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9️⃣ What are common ports used in Active Directory communication?

Answer:

• 88 – Kerberos
• 389 – LDAP
• 636 – LDAPS
• 3268 – Global Catalog
• 3389 – RDP

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🔟 What is the difference between OU and a Group in AD?

Answer:

• OU (Organizational Unit): A container used to organize AD objects; supports delegation.
• Group: Used to assign permissions and manage access (Security and Distribution groups).

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1️⃣1️⃣ How do you troubleshoot AD replication issues?

Answer:
Use commands:

• repadmin /showrepl
• repadmin /replsummary
• dcdiag
  Also check DNS, time synchronization, and event logs.

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1️⃣2️⃣ What is the SYSVOL folder?

Answer:
SYSVOL is a shared folder on domain controllers that stores scripts, policies, and public files needed by clients and replicated using FRS or DFS-R.

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1️⃣3️⃣ How do you manage services on a remote server?

Answer:

• Use services.msc via MMC (remote connection),
• Or use PowerShell:

Get-Service -ComputerName ServerName

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1️⃣4️⃣ What is a GPO Loopback Processing?

Answer:
It allows user settings to be applied based on the computer's location in AD, useful in kiosk or terminal environments. Modes: Merge or Replace.

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1️⃣5️⃣ How do you back up and restore Active Directory?

Answer:
Use Windows Server Backup for full system state backup.
Restore using Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM).

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1️⃣6️⃣ What is the Global Catalog?

Answer:
A Global Catalog server stores partial attributes of all objects in the forest and helps in login and searching objects across domains.

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1️⃣7️⃣ How do you secure a Windows Server?

Answer:

• Apply security patches
• Enable firewall & antivirus
• Use GPOs for hardening
• Enable auditing
• Disable unused ports/services

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1️⃣8️⃣ What is a Trust Relationship in AD?

Answer:
A trust relationship enables users in one domain to access resources in another. Types include:

• One-way/Two-way
• Transitive/Non-transitive
• External, Forest, Shortcut

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1️⃣9️⃣ What’s the use of netstat command?

Answer:
netstat -an shows active connections, listening ports, and network statistics — useful for diagnosing networking issues.

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2️⃣0️⃣ What is the difference between RDP and VNC?

Answer:

• RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) is built into Windows and provides session-based remote access.
• VNC (Virtual Network Computing) is platform-independent, open-source, and mirrors the screen (no session control).

 

• Be confident with real-world scenarios.
• Practice using tools like ADUC, GPMC, Event Viewer, PowerShell.
• Know the latest Windows Server version features (e.g., 2019, 2022).

 Windows Active Directory Commands for System Administrators | Top Interview Questions & Answers 2025

 

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✅ Top 5 Windows System Administrator Interview Tips

Tip #	Tip / Point	Details / Why It’s Important
1️⃣	Master Core AD & Windows Commands	Know how to use commands like ipconfig, repadmin, netstat, dsa.msc, mmc, etc. for real tasks.
2️⃣	Understand AD Architecture & Roles	Be clear on domains, OUs, FSMO roles, replication, DNS, GPOs, and trust relationships.
3️⃣	Troubleshooting is Key	Be prepared to explain how you'd handle issues like replication errors, login failures, or DNS problems.
4️⃣	Use Real-World Scenarios in Answers	Interviewers love practical answers over textbook definitions — relate your experience clearly.
5️⃣	Know Security & Backup Procedures	Understand system hardening, patching, least privilege, and how to back up/restore AD and servers.

 

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