Create User Account in Server 2012 Domain Controller

The process of creating user account in Windows Servers has been almost the same since Server 2003. Here I will show on Server 2012. After installing domain controller, creating organizational units and user accounts are the very first tasks. There are several methods to create user account in server 2012 domain controller. You can create user account from AD Users and Computers snap-in, using DsAdd command in command prompt, using New-ADUser cmdlet in WindowsPowershell and from AD Administrative Center.

Create User Account in Server 2012 Domain Controller

Here I will create user account in server 2012 domain controller using AD Users and Computers snap-in.

Step 1: Open AD Users and Computers Snap-in

Open AD Users and Computers snap-in from Server Manager. You can also open AD Users and Computers snap-ins by typing dsa.msc on RUN program. You can open RUN application pressing [Windows Key] + [R] on keyboard.

Step 2: Create an Organizational Unit

Organizational Unit or simply OU is a container object of AD domain which can hold users, computers, and other objects. Basically, you create user accounts and computers inside an OU. I will create an OU named Management. Right-click domain in AD users and Computers, choose New and click Organizational Unit.

Type Management to name the OU. Check the Protect container from accidental deletion option. This option will protect this object from accidental deletion.

Step 3: Create New User

Right-click the Management OU, click New and click User.

Now type the user information. Type the first name and last name. Here user logon name is the name that the user will use to actually log in the computer in the network. So when user tries to log in, he will type sjobs@mustbegeek.com or mustbegeek\sjobs on username field. Now click Next.

Now type the password. Check user must change password at next logon. The user will be forced to change the password when user logs in. Click Next.

Review the user configuration and click Finish.

You have successfully created a user account. You can open the properties of the user account to tweak settings.

This process is useful if you have to create couple of user accounts. But imagine, if you have to create hundreds or thousands of users. This process would be very time-consuming. So to create many users within minutes you can use Windows PowerShell scripts using New-ADuser cmdlet or batch script using DsAdd command.