Active Directory learning path

Active Directory from Zero

Build your first domain, then develop the skills to manage identities and troubleshoot everyday directory problems.

2 available labs · About 240 minutes of available coursework

Before you begin

Bring an Azure subscription and a basic familiarity with Windows. Each lab explains its setup, costs, and cleanup. Work in the suggested order or choose any available lab; completing an earlier lab is not an access requirement.

Published lab overviews are public. Lessons marked Free account require a free site account for the exercises. Your existing Basics progress and completion still count.

  1. Lab 1

    Active Directory Basics

    Build a real Active Directory environment from scratch in Azure. You'll create a domain controller, join a client, and work with users, groups, OUs, and authentication. This lab focuses on how AD actually behaves in production — not just what buttons to click.

    BeginnerFree~2.5 hours325 XPExplore →

  2. Lab 2

    Directory and Identities

    Manage an employee’s journey from onboarding to offboarding. Organize the directory, verify sign-in, and maintain user and computer identities without granting unnecessary access.

    IntermediateFree account~1.5 hours400 XPExplore →

  3. Lab 3

    Authentication and DNS

    Trace domain discovery, Kerberos tickets, time synchronization, and computer trust.

    IntermediateFree account~1.5 hoursComing soon

New labs are released individually after review. The next planned lab appears here when it is coming soon.

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