# ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 Reviews **Vendor:** Tidal Media Inc **Category:** [AWS Marketplace Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/aws-marketplace) **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 21 ## About ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 Active Directory (AD) is a directory service developed by Microsoft for Windows domain networks. It authenticates and authorizes all users and computers in a Windows domain type network, assigning and enforcing security policies for all computers and installing or updating software. Active Directory Domain Controller also includes: A set of rules, a schema that defines the classes of objects and attributes contained in the directory, the constraints and limits on instances of these objects, and the format of their names. ## ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 Pros & Cons **What users like:** - Users appreciate the **simplified administration** of Active Directory, facilitating easy management of user accounts and group policies. (1 reviews) - Users appreciate the **large community support** for Active Directory, enhancing their administration and management experience. (1 reviews) - Users value the **configuration ease** of ActiveDirectory, streamlining user management and group policy deployment effortlessly. (1 reviews) **What users dislike:** - Users note a **lack of features** due to ActiveDirectory being limited to Windows Server, restricting cross-platform compatibility. (1 reviews) - Users express concern about the **limited flexibility** of ActiveDirectory Domain Controller, especially for mixed OS environments. (1 reviews) ## ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 Reviews ### 1. Better Than Its Predecessors, but Newer Versions Align More with Azure **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Isaac C. | System Administrator, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 23, 2026 **What do you like best about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** It does the job better than it's predecessors. That being said newer server versions are out that would bring better alignment with the Azure platforms. Personally I have run 4 different 2016 domain controllers and have found that they experienced less synchronization issue than it's predecessors. **What do you dislike about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** Later version provide better integration with cloud based services. **What problems is ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 solving and how is that benefiting you?** It provides a clear, central place to manage Windows users and all of their details. That information can then be used to set permissions, provide LDAP to multifunction devices, or be shared with other services for authentication. It is also cost effective as hosting things on Azure has additional license costs. ### 2. Improved Security and Modern Admin Tools That Simplify Active Directory Management **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Non-Profit Organization Management | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 10, 2026 **What do you like best about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** Improved security features – Includes features like Privileged Access Management (PAM), better Kerberos enforcement, and enhanced auditing. Enhanced administrative tools – Active Directory Administrative Center (ADAC) with a modern interface and PowerShell integration simplifies management. Group Policy enhancements – Easier to manage policies, including new settings and better filtering. Performance and scalability – Handles larger directories efficiently and supports modern authentication protocols. Simplified deployment and management – Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) and automated promotion make setup smoother. **What do you dislike about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** Legacy dependency issues – Some older applications still rely on outdated protocols like NTLM or LDAP, which can cause security or compatibility concerns. Troubleshooting can be challenging – Diagnosing replication, DNS, or authentication issues often requires deep PowerShell knowledge. **What problems is ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 solving and how is that benefiting you?** Centralized identity and access management – Solves the challenge of managing users, groups, and devices across the network. Benefit: Simplifies administration and reduces the risk of inconsistent permissions. Secure authentication and authorization – Addresses unauthorized access and weak authentication methods. Benefit: Strengthens security through Kerberos, group policies, and modern encryption standards. Policy enforcement and configuration management – Solves the problem of ensuring consistent settings across all computers. Benefit: Saves time by automating updates, security policies, and software deployment. ### 3. Strong Azure Entra ID Integration and Easy Duo Setup, with Better GPO Control **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Patrick B. | IT Consultant, Information Technology and Services, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 16, 2026 **What do you like best about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** Better integration with Azure Entra ID, along with more control through GPOs using newer ADMX templates. Duo integration is also simple and straightforward. **What do you dislike about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** ADUC still feels limited when it comes to filtering and configuration options. GPO application also remains overly complex, and it still isn’t fully aligned with Intune or cloud-based deployment formats. **What problems is ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 solving and how is that benefiting you?** This enables us to continue supporting legacy configurations while using Entra Connect to prepare for cloud migration. ### 4. Easy to Use with Strong User and Domain Control **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Sharif H. | ITSM Manager, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 15, 2026 **What do you like best about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** Easy to use, control users and domains, and can easlly integrate with other systems **What do you dislike about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** The trust between domains is a little bit complicated **What problems is ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 solving and how is that benefiting you?** It helps in defining the group policies and distibute them to the different OUs ### 5. Same old classic Active Directory with new features **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Pau B. | Gerente, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 10, 2025 **What do you like best about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** Ease of use, simple interface since Server 2008 with minor changes. Ease of implementation, even in HA scenarios. Simple federation to cloud service (Entra ID) **What do you dislike about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** A new interface, more focused on achieving of security objectives. Better understanding of applied GPOs and the result. **What problems is ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 solving and how is that benefiting you?** Currently we can achieve a high level of customization in operating sytems by using GPOS and extended ADMX profiles in order to achieve compatibility with newer versions of Windows, and its features. ### 6. "Active Directory Domain Controller",Your Backbone for secure IT Infrastructure **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Dennis G. | Head Of ICT Support, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 13, 2024 **What do you like best about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** Simplified administration through centralization of the user authentication &access control I what I like most about the AD.Through this, we are able to easily add, modify or delete user or group accounts. It also simplifies the group policy managements through quick deployments of regular configurations & software policies across the domain, Only to mention a few of the many functions I like about the same. **What do you dislike about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** My Only dislike is that It is only tied to windows server which limits the organizations with mixed Operating systems. **What problems is ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 solving and how is that benefiting you?** The Problem of applying various security updates across all devices within the shortes time.With the group policies in the AD Dc we are able to enforce User permisions, password complexity rules and many others with ease. With the AD Dc, we've been able to ensure compliance,improve our systems security and simplify system management. ### 7. Efficient and Reliable: Active Directory Domain Controller in Windows Server 2016 **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Serkan Y. | Sistem Uzmanı, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 26, 2023 **What do you like best about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** Active Directory Domain Controller on Windows Server 2016 is a reliable and efficient tool for our company. Enhanced security features, streamlined administration, and improved group policy management is best thing for our IT Team. It's a valuable asset for those looking to maintain a secure and well-managed network. We can easily open & manage users. Customer support always helps and trying to solve our problems. We are using daily always in under our hand. Implementation is very easy & practical. **What do you dislike about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** The updates. We are making updates everytime for security and optimization. But some updates slows down the OS, at the same time Active Directory Domain Controller slows down. **What problems is ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 solving and how is that benefiting you?** 1) Minimized down time. Our servers always up and works. 2) Security. Windows keeps improve to security with updates. 3) Easy manage everything with ActiveDirectory Domain Controller. ### 8. best thing in the life **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Computer & Network Security | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 11, 2024 **What do you like best about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** This tool helped me speed up my tasks and complete my work **What do you dislike about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** there is no web portal to access it, overall good **What problems is ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 solving and how is that benefiting you?** Separate attributes for applications minimize down time ### 9. A must for large organizations **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ramazan B. | Altyapı ve Operasyon Müdürü, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 29, 2023 **What do you like best about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** Possibility of integration with many applications and management from a single source **What do you dislike about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** Complicated , detail , Specialization is requred **What problems is ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 solving and how is that benefiting you?** Separate Attribute for each application ### 10. ActiveDirectory Domain Controller **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Oil & Energy | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 22, 2024 **What do you like best about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** For easy and secure access across your applications **What do you dislike about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** None so far as we didn't experience any disadvantage of active directory **What problems is ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 solving and how is that benefiting you?** for single sign-on across many applications and devices. ### 11. Microsoft Active Directory is still the standard in authentication. **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Bobby H. | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 08, 2023 **What do you like best about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** Microsoft is still the leader in all on-premise authentication and device management. Integation in Windows devices and servers is an absoulate requirement for management. **What do you dislike about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** There is very little to zero built in reporting. This limitation must be filled by 3rd party products. **What problems is ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 solving and how is that benefiting you?** Using Microsoft ActiveDirectory Domain Controllers is truely the only way to integrate authentication into the vast majority of applications and devices. ### 12. Best Solution for Centralized Management for Active Directory (AD) Infrastructure **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Er. Janak k. | Microsoft System Administrator, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 25, 2023 **What do you like best about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** Active Directory Domain Controllers (DCs) in Windows Server 2016 offer a number of features and enhancements that make them a powerful and efficient solution for managing access and security in a network domain. Some of the best features of AD DCs in Windows Server 2016 include: 1. Improved security: Windows Server 2016 includes new security features such as Privileged Access Management (PAM) and Just In Time (JIT) Administration, which help to reduce the risk of security breaches and protect against malicious attacks. 2. Enhanced scalability: Windows Server 2016 supports larger Active Directory infrastructures with increased scalability and performance, allowing organizations to manage more users and devices in their domains. 3. Flexible deployment options: Windows Server 2016 allows for various deployment options such as new AD forest, additional DC, replica or read-only DC, providing organizations with more flexibility to meet their specific needs. 4. Improved management and monitoring: Windows Server 2016 includes new management and monitoring tools that make it easier to manage and troubleshoot AD DCs, such as the Active Directory Administrative Center (ADAC) and the Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) management console. 5. Improved support for cloud-based solutions: Windows Server 2016 includes support for Azure AD Connect, allowing organizations to synchronize their on-premises AD with Azure AD for use with cloud-based services such as Office 365. **What do you dislike about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** Active Directory Domain Controllers (DCs) in Windows Server 2016 are a powerful and efficient solution for managing access and security in a network domain, but there are some limitations and downsides. Some people may dislike because of following reasons: 1. Complex setup and configuration. 2. High resource requirements. 3. Limited support for non-Windows platforms. 4. Lack of native support for cloud environments. 5. High costs. It's important to note that some of these issues can be mitigated by careful planning, design, and proper configuration, and the cost can be managed with a proper budgeting. **What problems is ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 solving and how is that benefiting you?** Active Directory Domain Controllers (DCs) in Windows Server 2016 help solve problems related to managing access and security in a network domain by providing: 1. Centralized authentication and authorization services 2. Centralized management for the Active Directory infrastructure 3. Improved security features such as Privileged Access Management and Just-In-Time Administration. These solutions can benefit organizations by improving security, reducing the risk of security breaches, making it easier to manage and troubleshoot AD-related issues, and providing centralized management of user and computer access to the domain. ### 13. Control your business resources using MIcrosoft's Active Directory **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Jasmit Singh J. | CEO & Technology Specialist, Information Technology and Services, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 25, 2023 **What do you like best about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** It is very easy to setup and backup. Supports syncing with Azure Active Directory Services in the cloud. Using Active Directory the Administrator can manage all the IT resources such as users, storage on server, removabe storage, etc. **What do you dislike about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** No visual tools or monitoring tools of any kind to monitor usage, etc. A little complex to implement policies. **What problems is ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 solving and how is that benefiting you?** A central repository of Users and office resources is present and registered in active directory. I can connect external systems like a Firewall and authenticate access to the internet only to office users who are part of Active Directory. ### 14. Excellent **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Jonathan S. | IT Security Manager, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 21, 2023 **What do you like best about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** The ease of adding new services and roles to the server, starting from the server manager console, centralizes all these functions in a single console for greater comfort and speed. **What do you dislike about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** At the moment, I have nothing negative to mention about the ActiveDirectory Domain Controller service for windows; it is a reasonably complete solution for companies to manage their users. **What problems is ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 solving and how is that benefiting you?** The problem of administration of users, equipment and policies in the kit and users of the companies managed in a centralized and effective way is resolved, allowing the application of different approaches to the resources in general or individual practice. ### 15. Simplifies and enhances security **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Shanil S. | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 05, 2023 **What do you like best about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** Easy to manage accounts. Interface is user friendly and everything is available in one place. **What do you dislike about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** There is not anything that I dislike yet about the ActiveDirectory Domain Controller. Pretty happy!! **What problems is ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 solving and how is that benefiting you?** Manage user accounts with ease and much hassle. ### 16. Active Directory is the best **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Daniel M. | Analista Sênior de Infraestrutura e Segurança de TI, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 14, 2023 **What do you like best about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** Interface able to clearly show the structure in tree format. Ease of transposing an organizational structure of employees. **What do you dislike about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** Just the inability to enlarge the font to see better on very large monitors. **What problems is ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 solving and how is that benefiting you?** Management of users, groups, hierarchy and permissions, all in one place. ### 17. Easy and Helpful to Use **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Mary M. | IT Services Coordinator, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 29, 2021 **What do you like best about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** I like how it's easy to search for someone and be able to change their details like resetting their network password when they are locked out or forget it some days. **What do you dislike about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** At first, it's kind of difficult to find the search bar and get to exactly where you want to go, but once you do it a few times, you know where it is and it's not so bad. **Recommendations to others considering ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016:** Give it a try, you might like it! It certainly does it's job for me. **What problems is ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 solving and how is that benefiting you?** It allows me to reset users passwords as well as view Domain information for users and groups. ### 18. Me and Active directory **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Aravind K. | Data operations analyst, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 09, 2022 **What do you like best about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** The user interface is very easy to handle and understand the process. It saves time and effort. Overall it is one among the good software in the market nowadays. **What do you dislike about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** Nothing to dislike in this software all good actually. Infact looking forward for many more versions of it in the future like an upgraded one. Good effort from the team. **What problems is ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 solving and how is that benefiting you?** Mainly business purposes ### 19. Active Directory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Bhavana G. | Cloud Engineer, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 30, 2021 **What do you like best about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** Active Directory Domain Controller for windows 2016 handles all authentication requests from our servers, and it validating the access privileges of multiple users, group policies, and platform different network hierarchies and keeps the domain organized and secured. It's good at determining and validating the access privileges for multiple users l, group policies, and platform recognition. **What do you dislike about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** It's good with access management, security compliances, and installations, but for recently upgraded servers, it doesn't offer patch management and application integrations. So depending on the client requirements, one needs to evaluate whether it's suitable their customer governance or not. **What problems is ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 solving and how is that benefiting you?** Active Directory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 provides a unique global catalog for recording the details of all the objects that are entered into the directory with the good level of accuracy. It has proper rules setting, Schema definition, and classes made up of objects and properties within our central directory. We make use its query mechanism and catalog indexing features which ensures which enables me to publish the objects and their attributes which the users application can easily fetch. ### 20. Windows 2016 Server AD review **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Jhery C. | Specialist, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 04, 2021 **What do you like best about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** The ability to use OU's to associate one or more groups of users to specific GPO policy. **What do you dislike about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** for the moment the only thing i dislike is the ability to know who accessed the server, when it was accessed and what was changed; there is no easy way to set up this or access that information. **Recommendations to others considering ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016:** I recommend using AD for any medium-size or large size company. **What problems is ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 solving and how is that benefiting you?** One of the problems i got to solve was the automation of updates using GPO policy linked to the OU's where all my non-critical servers were in, and applying the same policy to other OU's ### 21. Quick and Simple AD Integration **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Higher Education | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 08, 2021 **What do you like best about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** The ability to easily Secure and Log AD Activity. **What do you dislike about ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016?** The UI can make a few things easier to distinguish, find, and organize functions better. **Recommendations to others considering ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016:** If you are looking to upgrade, I would recommend 2019 at this point in time. **What problems is ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 solving and how is that benefiting you?** PG Integrates well with ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016, a standard DC found in many organizations and used for User Administration and Domain Service. ## ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 Discussions - [What is Active Directory domain Services in Windows Server 2016?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-active-directory-domain-services-in-windows-server-2016) - 1 comment - [View ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/activedirectory-domain-controller-for-windows-2016/reviews?section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-05-17+12%3A20%3A51+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=1906d279-6af1-404b-995b-c59b5bf9fa2c&secure%5Btoken%5D=1c7080f83773421e930c8ed708faded801947d860f6958d8ea3725ed945eab44&format=llm_user) ## ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 Integrations - [Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-virtual-machines/reviews) - [IBM Maximo Application Suite](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-maximo-application-suite/reviews) - [Microsoft Entra ID](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-entra-id/reviews) - [MSP360 Backup](https://www.g2.com/products/msp360-backup/reviews) ## ActiveDirectory Domain Controller for Windows 2016 Features **Agentic AI - AWS Marketplace** - Autonomous Task Execution - Multi-step Planning - Cross-system Integration