This project showcases the complete setup, configuration, and administration of a Windows 10/11 client environment and a Windows Server 2022 Active Directory domain, all built and documented using Oracle VirtualBox.
It forms part of my CompTIA A+ certification study, hands-on technical development, and preparation for an IT Support / Junior SysAdmin role.
This lab simulates real-world IT Support and System Administration tasks in a controlled virtual environment.
It covers:
- Operating system installation (Windows client & server)
- Virtual hardware configuration
- System configuration & user management
- File system permissions
- Networking & DNS
- Active Directory Domain Services
- Group Policy management
- System maintenance & snapshots
- Troubleshooting and admin tools
All work is fully documented with screenshots, organised into clearly structured sections.
This project began with a Windows 10 VM (Sections 0–3) and was later rebuilt on Windows 11 (Sections 4–7) for improved performance and updated tools.
All tasks align with CompTIA A+ and beginner SysAdmin objectives.
- Installed from Windows 10 Evaluation ISO
- Configured system restore point and local user accounts
- Practised file system & folder permissions
- Compared Control Panel vs Settings
- Explored Task Manager, Event Viewer, and built-in troubleshooting tools
- Installed from clean Windows 11 Evaluation ISO
- Practised core networking commands (
ipconfig,ping,tracert,nslookup) - Used administrative tools:
- Windows Update
- Restore points
- File History
- Firewall
- Defender
- UAC
- Explored security basics and administrative utilities
📁 Screenshots Folder: Windows_VM/Screenshots/
Organised by section:
- Section 0 – VM Setup
- Section 1 – User Accounts & Permissions
- Section 2 – File System & Extensions
- Section 3 – Control Panel vs Settings
- Section 4 – Networking Basics
- Section 5 – System Tools & Utilities
- Section 6 – Updates & Restore
- Section 7 – Security
(Sections 8–14)
A full Windows Server 2022 domain environment was created to simulate real SysAdmin work.
- Installed Windows Server 2022
- Performed server configuration (hostname, networking, time sync)
- Installed Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)
- Promoted server to a Domain Controller
- Created & managed domain users and security groups
- Built an Organisational Unit (OU) structure
- Created and applied Group Policy Objects (GPOs)
- Configured DNS for domain operations
- Performed system maintenance using Disk Cleanup
- Managed and documented VM snapshots for rollback protection
📁 Screenshots Folder: Windows_Server/Screenshots/
Organised by section:
- Section 8 – Server Installation
- Section 9 – Server Configuration Basics
- Section 10 – AD DS Installation
- Section 11 – Domain Users & Groups
- Section 12 – OU Structure
- Section 13 – GPO Management
- Section 14 – Snapshots & Maintenance
| Tool / Platform | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Oracle VirtualBox | Virtualisation platform for VMs |
| Windows 10 / 11 ISOs | Client OS installation |
| Windows Server 2022 ISO | Domain Controller installation |
| PowerShell & CMD | Command-line practice & configuration |
| Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) | GPO creation & management |
| Snipping Tool / Screenshot Manager | Documentation & tracking |
| GitHub | Version control & project presentation |
- Use Windows client & server lab to practise troubleshooting scenarios
- Continue studying for CompTIA A+ (Core 1 & Core 2)
- Apply admin skills to further practical labs
- Keep documenting milestones for LinkedIn and GitHub
Created by Cameron Young