¶ Windows Server 2019
¶ Operating Systems
Windows Server 2019 sits at an interesting moment in the evolution of Microsoft’s server ecosystem. It’s modern without being experimental, stable without feeling old, and powerful without overwhelming newcomers. Many administrators who have worked with earlier versions—2008 R2, 2012, 2016—often describe Windows Server 2019 as the release where everything becomes more coherent. Features that once felt scattered now interlock more naturally, and the operating system seems to understand the realities of today’s networks: hybrid environments, virtualization-heavy workloads, remote workforces, and the constant pressure to be secure without sacrificing usability.
This course—one hundred articles dedicated entirely to Windows Server 2019—exists to bring clarity to that landscape. Whether you’re a system administrator breaking into enterprise environments, an IT student building foundational knowledge, a developer who needs to understand the platform your software relies on, or someone stepping into the world of Windows-based infrastructure for the first time, this introduction sets the tone for a practical, grounded exploration of what this operating system really offers.
This isn’t just a technical journey. It’s an exploration of an ecosystem that runs a significant portion of the modern world. Windows Server 2019 powers businesses both small and global, shapes cloud strategies, anchors countless networks, and remains the backbone of environments that demand dependability. To understand Windows Server 2019 is to understand the systems behind authentication, filesharing, application hosting, virtualization, and identity management across entire organizations.
Let’s step into the foundation of what makes Windows Server 2019 such an important and enduring part of enterprise IT.
¶ A New Era Built on Familiar Ground
Every major Windows Server release has its personality. Windows Server 2003 was the sturdy classic. 2008 R2 was the refined and reliable workhorse. 2012 embraced the cloud era and changed how administrators interacted with the operating system. 2016 brought stronger security and modern infrastructure features.
Windows Server 2019 didn’t tear anything down. Instead, it matured the ideas that came before it.
It delivers the security-first architecture of 2016, but with more control and fewer administrative headaches. It introduces hybrid cloud features without forcing anyone into cloud adoption. It provides strong virtualization with Hyper-V but respects those who still rely on physical servers. It enhances roles like Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and file services while keeping them familiar.
That balance—innovation without disruption—is a major reason Windows Server 2019 remains such a widely deployed and deeply trusted platform.
¶ Why Learning Windows Server 2019 Still Matters
Even as newer versions enter the market, Windows Server 2019 remains one of the most relevant editions for professionals. Many organizations adopt server operating systems slowly and deliberately. They value stability and long-term support over trend-driven upgrades. That means Windows Server 2019 will continue powering production systems for many years.
Understanding this OS gives you practical advantages:
You can manage real-world environments.
Most companies currently run 2016 and 2019 as their primary servers. Knowing these systems makes you employable and versatile.
You learn concepts that apply across the entire Windows Server family.
Features like Active Directory, Group Policy, Hyper-V, WSUS, certificate services, storage roles, and networking principles evolve but rarely disappear. Mastering them in 2019 gives you the core knowledge to work confidently with any modern version.
You understand enterprise infrastructure deeply.
Windows Server 2019 is designed for real workloads: authentication, file hosting, databases, virtualization, web applications, remote desktops, containers, and more. The more you know about these building blocks, the stronger you become as an IT professional.
You gain the ability to troubleshoot systems logically.
Every system administrator eventually learns that knowledge of troubleshooting outweighs memorized commands. Windows Server 2019, with its improved tools and clearer logging, gives you a platform to develop that skill.
You prepare yourself for hybrid cloud environments.
Even if your organization isn’t heavily invested in Azure, Windows Server 2019 interlocks with cloud services in ways that will matter eventually—identity federation, backup strategies, remote monitoring, and hybrid authentication models.
In other words, learning Windows Server 2019 doesn’t just teach you a product—it teaches you how enterprise systems operate.
¶ A Server Built for Modern Demands
What makes Windows Server 2019 especially appealing is how well it addresses the realities of contemporary IT. Environments now require far more than a local domain controller and a file server. Administrators must balance remote access needs, cybersecurity requirements, resource efficiency, and growing dependence on virtualization and containers.
Windows Server 2019 meets those demands with an impressive collection of features:
Security enhancements
Tools like Windows Defender ATP integration, improved Credential Guard, and security baselines help organizations protect themselves without requiring complex third-party solutions.
Hybrid capabilities
Azure integration is woven throughout the OS, but never forced. Administrators can use cloud services like Azure Backup or Azure File Sync when they offer value, but remain fully functional on-premises.
Storage improvements
Storage Spaces Direct, ReFS enhancements, deduplication improvements, and modern SMB features allow administrators to build efficient and resilient storage environments without expensive SANs.
Virtualization and container support
Hyper-V continues to mature in 2019, providing a reliable option for organizations that want a first-class virtualization platform without licensing surprises.
Application platform updates
The OS supports modern applications through updated .NET versions, improved IIS capabilities, and more flexible deployment options.
All these features point to one truth: this is an operating system designed to last.
¶ The Human Side of Administration
One thing people often underestimate about Windows Server 2019 is how much thought has gone into the administrative experience. Microsoft understands that managing infrastructure isn’t just about commands and features—it’s about workflow, clarity, visibility, and efficiency.
Administrators spend their days troubleshooting, building policies, testing configurations, reviewing logs, and deploying updates. The tools built into Windows Server 2019—Windows Admin Center, improved PowerShell modules, enhanced dashboards, clearer error diagnostics—make that work more humane.
The OS supports both GUI and Core installations, giving you the freedom to choose simplicity or minimalism depending on the role. It respects both click-driven administrators and script-driven automation experts. It integrates seamlessly with directories, cloud services, and legacy environments alike.
All of this contributes to the real charm of Windows Server 2019: it’s a system built with the administrator in mind.
¶ A Foundation for the Course Ahead
This course of one hundred articles is designed to take you through Windows Server 2019 in a way that feels natural, progressive, and connected to real-world administration. You’ll go beyond simply learning where buttons are or memorizing menu paths. Instead, you’ll examine why things work the way they do and how to use that understanding to manage systems confidently.
In the coming articles, you’ll explore areas such as:
- Setting up servers from scratch
- Understanding Windows Server editions and deployment choices
- Working with domain controllers and building a robust Active Directory environment
- Managing Group Policy effectively
- Controlling resources with Hyper-V
- Planning file services with resilience and efficiency
- Implementing secure authentication and authorization models
- Configuring DNS, DHCP, and core network services
- Using Windows Admin Center to unify server management
- Hardening systems to withstand real-world threats
- Supporting remote users and applications
- Integrating with the cloud where it makes sense
- Troubleshooting like an experienced administrator
As you move through the content, you’ll see how Windows Server 2019 is not just a collection of features but a strategic platform that ties together nearly every aspect of enterprise IT.
¶ How This Learning Journey Will Shape You
By the time you work through this course, you’ll likely find that your confidence with Windows Server 2019 has grown in ways you didn’t expect. The OS has depth—real depth. And learning it unlocks insights into how networks function, how identity is managed, how security is enforced, and how systems communicate.
You’ll learn to recognize patterns across administrative tasks.
You’ll begin to understand why certain configurations matter.
You’ll start anticipating issues before they occur.
You’ll develop a mindset that values clarity, structure, and reliability in system management.
Windows Server administrators often talk about the moment things “click.” It’s that shift from feeling like you’re reacting to situations to feeling like you’re guiding the environment forward with purpose. This course is designed to help you reach that moment.
¶ Walking Into the World of Enterprise Windows Systems
Windows Server 2019 mirrors the spirit of the environments it supports: steady, resilient, and built to handle demanding workloads. Learning it provides a window into the way organizations operate at scale—how authentication flows through a network, how resources are delivered to users, how policies shape behavior, how data is stored and protected, and how systems remain available even under pressure.
When you master a system like this, you’re not just gaining technical knowledge—you’re developing the ability to support the infrastructure behind programs, devices, users, and services that depend on you. That responsibility is both challenging and rewarding, and Windows Server 2019 offers all the tools necessary to meet it.
This introduction marks the beginning of a deep and engaging journey. Over the next hundred articles, you’ll uncover the layers of Windows Server 2019 piece by piece until the entire system becomes clear, logical, and manageable. You’ll gain a grounding in one of the most influential server platforms in the world and build skills that prepare you for a wide range of IT roles.
As you step into this learning path, approach it with curiosity, patience, and the satisfaction of knowing that every concept you master brings you closer to understanding an essential part of modern computing. Windows Server 2019 is a system worth learning—not just because it powers the world, but because it teaches you how to think like someone who maintains it.
Welcome to the journey.
¶ Windows Server 2019
¶ Beginner Level (Chapters 1-30)
1. Introduction to Windows Server 2019: Features and Editions
2. System Requirements and Installation of Windows Server 2019
3. Understanding Server Roles and Features in Windows Server 2019
4. Navigating the Windows Server 2019 Interface
5. Introduction to Server Manager: Managing Roles and Features
6. Configuring Network Settings in Windows Server 2019
7. Understanding Active Directory: Concepts and Benefits
8. Installing and Configuring Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)
9. Creating and Managing User Accounts in Active Directory
10. Managing Group Policy: Basics of GPOs
11. File and Storage Services: Setting Up Shared Folders
12. Configuring Permissions and NTFS Security
13. Introduction to Windows Server 2019 Security: Firewall and Defender
14. Managing Windows Updates and Patches
15. Understanding Windows Server 2019 Licensing and Activation
16. Basic PowerShell Commands for Server Management
17. Installing and Configuring DNS Server
18. Installing and Configuring DHCP Server
19. Configuring Remote Desktop Services (RDS)
20. Introduction to Hyper-V: Setting Up Virtual Machines
21. Managing Hyper-V Virtual Networks and Switches
22. Backing Up and Restoring Data in Windows Server 2019
23. Monitoring Server Performance with Task Manager and Resource Monitor
24. Managing Disk Storage: Basic and Dynamic Disks
25. Configuring Print Services in Windows Server 2019
26. Understanding Windows Server 2019 Licensing Models
27. Managing Windows Server Core: Installation and Configuration
28. Introduction to Windows Admin Center
29. Basic Troubleshooting Tools and Techniques
30. Best Practices for Beginners Using Windows Server 2019
¶ Intermediate Level (Chapters 31-60)
31. Advanced Active Directory: Organizational Units (OUs) and Group Policy
32. Configuring Group Policy Preferences (GPP)
33. Managing Active Directory Replication and Sites
34. Implementing and Managing Certificate Services (AD CS)
35. Configuring and Managing Distributed File System (DFS)
36. Implementing File Server Resource Manager (FSRM)
37. Configuring Storage Spaces and Storage Replica
38. Advanced Networking: NIC Teaming and QoS
39. Configuring and Managing Windows Deployment Services (WDS)
40. Implementing Network Policy Server (NPS) for RADIUS
41. Configuring Web Server (IIS) in Windows Server 2019
42. Managing and Securing IIS Websites
43. Implementing Failover Clustering for High Availability
44. Configuring Network Load Balancing (NLB)
45. Advanced Hyper-V: Live Migration and Replication
46. Managing Hyper-V Checkpoints and Virtual Hard Disks
47. Implementing Software-Defined Networking (SDN) with Hyper-V
48. Configuring and Managing Windows Server Backup
49. Implementing Disaster Recovery with Azure Site Recovery
50. Managing Windows Server 2019 with PowerShell Scripting
51. Configuring and Managing Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP)
52. Implementing Just Enough Administration (JEA) with PowerShell
53. Configuring and Managing Remote Access (VPN and DirectAccess)
54. Implementing and Managing Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)
55. Configuring and Managing Windows Containers
56. Implementing Docker on Windows Server 2019
57. Managing Windows Server 2019 with Desired State Configuration (DSC)
58. Configuring and Managing Windows Event Forwarding
59. Implementing Advanced Auditing and Logging
60. Intermediate Troubleshooting: Diagnosing and Resolving Common Issues
¶ Advanced Level (Chapters 61-90)
61. Advanced Active Directory: Managing Trusts and Forests
62. Implementing Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS)
63. Configuring and Managing Azure AD Connect
64. Implementing Privileged Access Management (PAM)
65. Advanced Group Policy: Troubleshooting and Optimization
66. Implementing and Managing Active Directory Rights Management Services (AD RMS)
67. Configuring and Managing Windows Server 2019 in Hybrid Cloud Environments
68. Implementing and Managing Storage Spaces Direct (S2D)
69. Configuring and Managing Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI)
70. Advanced Networking: Implementing Software-Defined Networking (SDN)
71. Configuring and Managing Windows Server 2019 with Azure Arc
72. Implementing and Managing Windows Server 2019 in Azure
73. Configuring and Managing Windows Server 2019 with Ansible
74. Implementing Advanced Security: Credential Guard and Device Guard
75. Configuring and Managing Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security
76. Implementing and Managing Windows Server 2019 with Chef
77. Configuring and Managing Windows Server 2019 with Puppet
78. Implementing Advanced Monitoring with System Center Operations Manager (SCOM)
79. Configuring and Managing Windows Server 2019 with Terraform
80. Implementing Advanced Backup and Recovery with Veeam
81. Configuring and Managing Windows Server 2019 with Kubernetes
82. Implementing Advanced Hyper-V: Nested Virtualization
83. Configuring and Managing Windows Server 2019 with Docker Swarm
84. Implementing Advanced Networking: IPv6 and Multicast
85. Configuring and Managing Windows Server 2019 with Grafana
86. Implementing Advanced Security: Threat Hunting and Incident Response
87. Configuring and Managing Windows Server 2019 with Prometheus
88. Implementing Advanced Automation with PowerShell Workflows
89. Configuring and Managing Windows Server 2019 with Jenkins
90. Advanced Troubleshooting: Diagnosing Complex Issues
¶ Expert Level (Chapters 91-100)
91. Designing and Implementing Enterprise-Level Active Directory
92. Implementing Advanced Hybrid Cloud Architectures
93. Designing and Implementing Disaster Recovery Solutions
94. Implementing Advanced Security: Zero Trust Architecture
95. Designing and Implementing Software-Defined Data Centers (SDDC)
96. Implementing Advanced Automation: AI and Machine Learning
97. Designing and Implementing Multi-Cloud Strategies
98. Implementing Advanced Monitoring: Predictive Analytics
99. Designing and Implementing Secure DevOps Pipelines
100. Mastering Windows Server 2019: Becoming an Enterprise Architect