50 Most Commonly Asked Windows Server

Interview Questions
11 min read
Posted onMarch 9, 2021

Hanna F.
Hanna F.
March 9, 2021

Are you looking for your dream job as a Windows Server Administrator? I
have no doubt about your windows server administration skills but most
of the time people with good experience and high skill also fail to pass
the interview for Windows Server Administrator because of the kind of
windows server interview questions asked by the interviewers.

In this article, I would discuss with you some of the most commonly
asked windows interview questions by the interviewer for Windows
Server Administrator positions. The windows admin interview questions
asked range from the simple to the complex ones. Here are some of the
most common windows server administrator interview questions you
should prepare to do well in the interview.
 Table of Contents

 Windows Server Interview Questions and Answers

o In the context of the Registry, how do you define “tattooing”?
o What is an Active Directory?
o Distinguish between a computer process and a thread.
o What do you know about authorizing DHCP Servers in Active Directory?
o What Is Group Policy?
o What is Group Policy Objects (GPO) and list different kinds of GPO?
o Can we link third-party Directory service to an Active Directory?
o What commands you will use to check TCP/IP configurations?
o What do you know about working of IntelliMirror?
o How you can install an app MSI file when the is not available?
o What is the domain controller’s basic function?
o What is the goal of installing local DNS servers?
o What’s new in Windows Server 2019?
o What is Windows Server’s default user interface?
o What is INODE?
o Explain what is RAID in Windows Server?
 o What Are the System Administrator Roles?
o Can you name Different Version of Windows Server?
o What is the global catalog?
o Explain the difference between local, universal and global groups?
o Can Active Directory Partitions Be Restored?
o What is a Proxy Server?
o What is WINS server?
o Define Dora Procedure & its usage.
o In which order the GPOs are applied?
o Can you state a few benefits of GPMC?
o Explain the difference between firewall and antivirus?
o How you will do the backup for Group policy?
o What is the group nesting?
o What is Domain control?
o What is the tree?
o Explain where is the AD database held?
o Define the term Hyper-v?
o Define APIPA?
o Explain what the Bit Locker is?
o Define what is SYSVOL folder?
o Write down the multiple roles in Windows Server?
o Explain what server manager is?
o What is Trust Relationship?
o What is the Windows DNS server’s primary, Secondary, and Stub zone?
o How many types of queries does DNS have?
o What is meant by LDAP?
o Define PowerShell?
o What is WDS, and how does it work?
o Define Schema in windows server administration?
o How many types of Active Directory Partition?
o Can we restore a backup of the domain controller to another/different domain
controller?
o What is the significant difference between NTFS and FAT on a local server?
 Conclusion

Windows Server Interview Questions and Answers

In the context of the Registry, how do you define “tattooing”?

“Tattooing” the registry suggests that customers can change and view
the preference of the customers that are not placed away in the
preserved prescribed Registry portions. Irrespective of the assembly
approach is evacuated or changed, the preference of the client will
currently be kept in the registry.

What is an Active Directory?

Active Directory is an organization of the inventory in a library to gather

objects such as computers, customer profiles, etc. It effectively controls
the framework through Domain Controllers that are available at many
zones with the database of the Active Directory.

A section of the limits fuse dynamic association with numerous land

zones, check of computers and customers in the space offered by
windows, using the Domain Controller to copy Active Directory. In
accumulation to that these lines will be returned to every Domain
Controllers.

Distinguish between a computer process and a thread.

Computer Process

In computing, a process is a computer program case that is performed

repeatedly by a computer, that can run numerous programs on a
computer at the same time.

Thread

A thread comprises the many executable programs that collaborate as a

solitary process. For instance, a thread might send a notification error to
the customer; an alternative might contract with the signals of error
although the third thread may perform the primary action.

What do you know about authorizing DHCP Servers in Active Directory?

In case, a DHCP server is to function in an Active Directory domain (and
the domain controller is not used to running it) it should first be
approved to Active directory.

What Is Group Policy?

Group Policy is a Microsoft Windows NT feature that is also a family of

OS that manages the work setting of computer accounts and user
accounts. Group Policy offers the central configuration management of
OS, users’ settings, and applications in an Active Directory setting.

Following are some of the roles of FSMO:

 Infrastructure Master
 Schema Master
 PDC
 RID Master
 Domain Naming Master
The rational units of any organization of Active Directory are usually
called tree, domain, and forest. Various articles in the procedure of a
rational section join accompanying: customers, computers, devices, etc.
that share an analogous active database registry that is normally known
as a “domain”.

A tree is an assortment of domains in the Active Directory that starts at

one root and branches out into child domains, peripheral. This might
similarly comprise an adjoining namespace linked in a transitive order.

The domains collection is often known as “forest” that shares general

logical structure, inventory, registry pattern, and registry setup. It typifies
the limits of security for groups, clients, and devices for example
computers.
What is Group Policy Objects (GPO) and list different kinds of GPO?

The setting that controls the client records the workplace, and also
computer records, are called Group Policy Object (GPO). This helps in
describing the programming establishment, security alternatives, upkeep
choices and library-based arrangements, folder redirection choices, and
content choices. There are usually 2 categories of GPO:

Local GPO: These are put away on close devices.

Nonlocal GPO: These are available on Active Directory and are put away
on a domain controller.

Can we link third-party Directory service to an Active Directory?

Yes, why not, it is possible to link third-party directory services to Active

Directory by using different versions of Microsoft. dirXML or LDAP can
be used to link Active Directory to other retailers.

What commands you will use to check TCP/IP configurations?

The 2 most often used check TCP/IP configurations commands are:

Ipconfig: To check the IP setup of the computer, we can use the

command Ipconfig and additionally it can be very well applied to
reestablish the IP address of the users if it is specified by a DHCP server.

Ping: To check the link between the computer in use and the other
computers, we can use the Ping command.

What do you know about working of IntelliMirror?

IntelliMirror supports to settle settings of desktop, stored files, and

applications for users especially the one who move among workstations
and works offline.
How you can install an app MSI file when the is not available?

To install the application without using the MSI file, the Software
Installer. ZAP text file can be used in its place.

What is the domain controller’s basic function?

The domain controller function is to verify customers to many networks

and bring a set of objects that involved the Active Directory.

What is the goal of installing local DNS servers?

A local DNS server offers the local mapping of fully competent domains
to IP addresses. To resolve requests concerning the domains on the
network, local DNS servers can offer record data to distant DNS servers.

Windows Server Interview Questions are obvious work for those who are
trying to get a competitive job in a well-reputed company.

What’s new in Windows Server 2019?

It is the latest Windows server version that uses the shortened LTSC or
long-term servicing channel. Some of the most dominant features of the
new windows server 2019 are:

 Support for Kubernetes

 Storage Space Direct
 Storage Replica
 Improved Windows Defender
 Windows Subsystem for Linux
 Other GUI new features from Win10 version 1809
 Storage Migration Service
 System Insights
What is Windows Server’s default user interface?

Windows PowerShell is said to be the default user interface and

command-Line Shell made by Microsoft. The main goal of PowerShell is
to systematize administrative tasks that work both remote and local
windows machines. .NET Framework is used to build PowerShell.

What is INODE?

The file’s metadata is kept by INODE holds; INODE is said to be a unique

pointer to a disk block. You can also say that it is a unique number owed
to a file in a UNIX-like Operating system.

Explain what is RAID in Windows Server?

For storing the same data at a different place RAID or Redundant Array
of Independent Disks strategy is used. It is a strategy for building fault
tolerance and increasing storage capacity. On separate drives it allows
you to combine one or more volumes so that they are accessed by a
single drive letter

What Are the System Administrator Roles?

The System Administrator role varies in the organization. The 2 key

System Admin tasks are Supporting, Installing, and maintaining
computers & servers.

 Install patches & OS Updates

 Access user’s administration
 Creating and Restoring system backups
 Access control
 Review system logs access administration
 Planning Disaster recovery
 Comply with password needs
 System audit logging

Can you name Different Version of Windows Server?

The version of windows servers till now are:

 Windows Server 2003 (2003)

 Windows Server 2003 R2 (2005)
 Windows Server 2008 (2008)
 Windows Server 2008 R2 (2009)
 Windows Server 2012 (2012)
 Windows Server 2012 R2 (2013)
 Windows Server 2016 (2016)
What is the global catalog?

The Global Catalog is a kind of database that comprises all of the data
relating to objects in Active Directory environment domains.

Explain the difference between local, universal and global groups?

Domain local groups allocate access approvals to international groups of

domains for local resources of the domain. Global groups offer access to
other trusted domains’ resources. The Universal groups grant access to
all trusted domains resources.

In the windows server interview questions and answers guide, you will be
asked the difference of all other similar things to confuse you. So, you
have to be confident about what you know about them and clearly
explain the difference in a single sentence if you can. Otherwise, explain
as much as you can but you have to clarify both of them.

Can Active Directory Partitions Be Restored?

We can authoritatively restore the objects from the domain and

configuration partition. Authoritative restores of schema-naming are not
supported here.

Configuration Partition– it is a partition that stores all the data of

Active Directory. The data comprises site-link, Site, subnet, etc. This
partition copies all domain controllers that are available in the Forest.

Application Partition– it stores the information of applications in Active

Directory. For examples DomainDNSZones and ForestDNSZones.

Schema Partition–It stores all the information of the objects and their
qualities; it copies to other domain controllers in the Forest
Domain Partitions– it stores the domain information that includes a
computer, user, printer, group, etc. It also copies to all domain
controllers in the domain.

What is a Proxy Server?

It is a computer that is actually a doorway between a local network (such

as all computers in one organization or in a building) and a larger-scale
system such as the Internet. Proxy servers offer increased security and
performance. In most cases, they monitor employees using outside
resources.

What is WINS server?

Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) servers map the IP addresses to
NetBIOS names. This lets employers access resources by name of the
computer rather than the IP address. To keep a check on the IP
addresses and names of other computers network, this computer can be
configured as a WINS server.

We may not able to connect to a remote network through its NetBIOS

name, in case you are not using WINS in a network,

Define Dora Procedure & its usage.

Discover, request, Offer, and acknowledgment. it is used to automatically

allocate an IP address to the systems of the client.

In which order the GPOs are applied?

We can apply the GPO in order of

 Local Group Policy object site,

 Domain and
 organizational units.

Can you state a few benefits of GPMC?

One of the major benefits of GPMC is its easy management of all GPOs
diagonally the whole Active Directory Forest View of GPOs in one list. We
can do the GPOs backup and restore, Immigration of GPOs across many
forests and domains.

Explain the difference between firewall and antivirus?

Both firewall and antivirus are security tools designed to save your
system. A firewall is a low-level network security system. It is designed to
protect your system and network. It covers both public and private
networks from security warnings.

On the other hand, antivirus is a software program designed to protect

your system from hackers, viruses, spyware, etc.

How you will do the backup for Group policy?

1. For back up, one single GPO, right-click the GPO and then click Back
Up.
2. For backup, all GPOs in the domain, right-click Group Policy Objects
and click Back Up All.

What is the group nesting?

When we add one group as an element of another group is known as
‘group nesting’. It also helps in easy management and reduced traffic
replication.

What is Domain control?

A domain controller is a server that manages the security requests from

other servers and computers in the Windows Server domain. There are
two kinds of domain controllers that is a backup domain controller and a
primary domain controller. The primary domain controller emphasis on
services of the domain to avoid the system possibility of a crash or
slowing down because of the overtasking from handling other security
requests and functionality.

If the primary domain controller goes down, a backup domain controller

is promoted and becomes the primary domain controller to preserve the
server systems working appropriately. While preparing Windows server
interview questions and answers, you have to apply for the post of
windows administrator in different companies they will call you for an
interview and you will get the ideas of what type of questions they ask.

What is the tree?

A tree is actually a collection of domains in the Active Directory that

starts at one root and branches out into child domains, peripheral. This
can similarly comprise an adjoining namespace linked in a transitive
order. An Active Directory forest is an assortment of Active Directory
trees, just like a real-world forest.

Explain where is the AD database held?

AD database is saved in %systemroot%/ntds. Files that control the AD

structure are
  ntds.dit
 edb.log
 res1.log
 res2.log

Define the term Hyper-v?

Hyper-V is Microsoft’s virtualization tool. It is used to create different

multiple virtual machines on a single physical server. It also minimizes
the cost of hardware and increases efficiency.

Define APIPA?

APIPA stands for Automatic Private IP Addressing. APIPA is a DHCP

failover mechanism for the local web. DHCP clients can obtain IP
addresses with APIPA when DHCP servers are non-functional. APIPA
exists in all new versions of Windows except Windows NT. When a DHCP
server fails, APIPA assigns IP addresses in the private range 169.254.0.1
to 169.254.255.254.
Explain what the Bit Locker is?

Bit-Locker is an encryption security feature available that will encrypt

everything on the drive that Windows is installed upon. Right-click and
choose Turn on BitLocker from the context menu to encrypt a whole
drive.

Define what is SYSVOL folder?

SYSVOL is a set of folders and files that is stored on the local hard disk of
each domain controller in a domain and are duplicated by the FRS (File
Replication Service). These files include group or user policy information
or data.

Write down the multiple roles in Windows Server?

Following are the multiple roles in Windows Server:

 Active Directory Certificate Services

 Active Directory Domain Services
 DHCP Server
 DNS Server
 FAX Server
 Web Server
 File and Storage Services
 Hyper-V
 Print and Document Services
 Network Policy and Access Services
 Remote Access
 Remote Desktop Services
 Volume Activation Services
 Windows Deployment Services
 Windows Server Update Services

Explain what server manager is?

Server Manager is a management console (workstation used to monitor

and control a network locally or remotely) in Windows Server. It helps I.T.
experts provision and maintain both local and remote Windows-based
servers from their desktops without requiring physical access to servers
or enabling Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections to each server.

What is Trust Relationship?

Trust relationship allows access between two domains. A trust

relationship between two domains allows user accounts and global
groups to be used in a domain other than where the accounts are
defined.

What is the Windows DNS server’s primary, Secondary, and Stub zone?

In Windows DNS server:

Primary Zone: The file is saved as a standard text file with filename
(.dns) in the Primary Zone.

Secondary Zone maintains a read-only copy of the zone database on

another DNS server. Also, it acts as a backup server to the primary server
by giving fault tolerance and load balancing.

Stub Zone includes the server copy, and S.O.A. (Start of Authority)
records used to minimize the DNS search orders.

How many types of queries does DNS have?

There are two types of queries DNS have:

 Iterative Query
 Recursive Query

What is meant by LDAP?

The directory services are like a database for storing computers, users,
objects, etc., which supports adding, removing, and updating computer
objects in the directory. Use the internet protocol if you also want to
search for information from the server, email, and another program. This
protocol is called LDAP or Lightweight Directory Access Protocol. Prepare
your windows server interview questions and try to get a junior-level
position and try to get hands-on experience for the great experience and
a job in a well-reputed company.
Define PowerShell?

Windows PowerShell is Command-Line Shell developed by Microsoft.

The main goal of PowerShell is to run administrative tasks which work on
both local and remote Windows machines. PowerShell is built on the .net
framework.

What is WDS, and how does it work?

A WDS expands a wireless network through different access points. A

wireless base station attaches to the Internet. It has wired and wireless
clients and sends its wireless signal to an access point that functions as a
wireless repeater.

Define Schema in windows server administration?

Schema is a master database that includes all the data about the object
in Active Directory.

How many types of Active Directory Partition?

Following are the four types of Active Directory Partition:

 Schema
 Configuration
 Domain
 Application partition

Can we restore a backup of the domain controller to another/different domain

controller?

No, we cannot restore a backup of the domain controller to

another/different domain controller. It should be restored on the same
domain controller.

What is the significant difference between NTFS and FAT on a local server?
FAT (File Allocation Table) and FAT32 provide security for local users,
while NTFS (New Technology File System) gives protection for domain
users and local users. NTFS gives file-level security, which is not possible
through FAT32.

Conclusion

This article contains a fine collection of windows server interview

questions and answers. You can get help from these server administrator
interview questions provided in this article to prepare for your interview.

You can also share with us some interview server questions and answers
that you have been asked by the interviewer, in the comments section.

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