You can add Windows Server Essentials as a member server to an existing Active Directory domain environment and take advantage of the simple data protection, secure remote access, and cloud integration features that it provides.

Can Windows Server 2016 Essentials be a domain controller?

Note: Windows Server Essentials can only be deployed as domain controller. In this document, Windows Server Essentials does not include Windows Server Essentials.

How do I join a domain in Windows Server 2016?

Open the Server Manager window and go to the Local Server section. Here, click Workgroup. In the window that appears, click the Change button. Then, in the Member of section, enable the Domain option, type the domain name of your local Active Directory, and click OK.