Sold by: Tidal Media Inc
Deployed on AWS
AWS Free Tier
This product has charges associated with it for support, maintenance, and pre-configuration to be instantaneously deployed on AWS Marketplace with all security and enterprise standards. Active Directory Domain Controller Image is packaged to leverage cost-effectiveness, scalability, and flexibility.
4.5
Overview
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.
A global catalog that contains information about every object in the directory.
A query and index mechanism so that objects and their properties can be published and found by network users or applications.
A replication service that distributes directory data across a network.
We understand that for any network running Windows Active Directory is a necessary part. That's why we provide you with a fully cloud-compatible, hardened to be ready-to-run in AWS environments AD Domain Controller for Windows 2016 Image.
Highlights
- Provides Active Directory domain services to your servers on AWS.
- Provides Active Directory Group Policies to your servers on AWS.
- Enables Hybrid Active Directory with your AWS environment.
Details
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Delivery method
Delivery option
64-bit (x86) Amazon Machine Image (AMI)
Latest version
Operating system
Win2016 Windows 2016
Deployed on AWS
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Features and programs
Financing for AWS Marketplace purchases
AWS Marketplace now accepts line of credit payments through the PNC Vendor Finance program. This program is available to select AWS customers in the US, excluding NV, NC, ND, TN, & VT.
Pricing
Pricing is based on actual usage, with charges varying according to how much you consume. Subscriptions have no end date and may be canceled any time.
Additional AWS infrastructure costs may apply. Use the AWS Pricing Calculator to estimate your infrastructure costs.
If you are an AWS Free Tier customer with a free plan, you are eligible to subscribe to this offer. You can use free credits to cover the cost of eligible AWS infrastructure. See AWS Free Tier for more details. If you created an AWS account before July 15th, 2025, and qualify for the Legacy AWS Free Tier, Amazon EC2 charges for Micro instances are free for up to 750 hours per month. See Legacy AWS Free Tier for more details.
Dimension | Cost/hour |
|---|---|
t2.medium Recommended | $0.03 |
t3.micro | $0.03 |
t2.micro | $0.03 |
m4.10xlarge | $0.03 |
t3a.2xlarge | $0.03 |
m5d.8xlarge | $0.03 |
m5d.large | $0.03 |
m5.xlarge | $0.03 |
m5ad.24xlarge | $0.03 |
m3.xlarge | $0.03 |
Dimensions summary
You pay by the hour for the EC2 instance type you run this pre-built Windows 2016 domain controller image on. Billing scales with the instance you choose, not with user counts or features. Options span the t2, t3, and t3a burstable families for lighter or variable workloads, and the m3, m4, m5, m5a, m5ad, m5d, m5dn, and m5n general-purpose families for steady compute. Within each family, sizes range from nano and micro up through metal and 24xlarge. Larger sizes carry more CPU and memory, so the hourly rate rises accordingly. Software and infrastructure bill together each hour.
Top-of-mind questions for buyers
Each hour combines two charges: the software licence for this Windows 2016 domain controller image and the underlying EC2 compute you run it on. You pick one instance type, and both charges meter together per running hour. Picking a size with more CPU and memory raises the hourly rate.
Hourly software charges apply only while the instance runs. A fully stopped instance stops accruing the software fee. Underlying AWS storage for the volume may still cost you while the instance is stopped, but the software licence meters running time only.
No. Billing tracks only the EC2 instance type and its running hours. Adding users, configuring a new forest, or setting up DNS and domain controllers does not change the hourly rate. Cost moves only when you switch instance sizes or run time changes.
tidalmediainc.com
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Vendor refund policy
We do not currently support refunds, but you can cancel the subscription at any time.
Legal
Vendor terms and conditions
Upon subscribing to this product, you must acknowledge and agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the vendor's End User License Agreement (EULA) .
Content disclaimer
Vendors are responsible for their product descriptions and other product content. AWS does not warrant that vendors' product descriptions or other product content are accurate, complete, reliable, current, or error-free.
Delivery details
64-bit (x86) Amazon Machine Image (AMI)
Amazon Machine Image (AMI)
An AMI is a virtual image that provides the information required to launch an instance. Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) instances are virtual servers on which you can run your applications and workloads, offering varying combinations of CPU, memory, storage, and networking resources. You can launch as many instances from as many different AMIs as you need.
Version release notes
Vulnerabilities have been fixed.
Additional details
Usage instructions
Resources
Vendor resources
Support
Vendor support
If you faced any problem, check the Usage Guide at http://tidalmediainc.com/guide-how-to-start-network-file-system-server-on-windows-server-2016-on-amazon/ support@tidalmediainc.com
AWS infrastructure support
AWS Support is a one-on-one, fast-response support channel that is staffed 24x7x365 with experienced and technical support engineers. The service helps customers of all sizes and technical abilities to successfully utilize the products and features provided by Amazon Web Services.
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Customer reviews
Vikesh S.
Centralized, Secure User Management with Dependable Enterprise Performance
Reviewed on Aug 24, 2026
Review provided by G2
What do you like best about the product?
The best aspect of Active Directory Domain Controller for Windows Server 2016 is its centralized management of users and resources, combined with strong security, Group Policy capabilities, and dependable performance in enterprise environments. Active Directory Domain Controller for Windows Server 2016 delivers strong value for its cost by providing centralized identity management, secure authentication, and policy enforcement across the organization. It reduces administrative overhead, improves security and compliance, and integrates seamlessly with existing Microsoft infrastructure. The reliability, scalability, and operational efficiencies gained from centralized user and access management make it a worthwhile investment, particularly for organizations with predominantly Windows-based environments.
What do you dislike about the product?
The main drawbacks are the complexity of administration and troubleshooting, the aging interface, limited modern cloud integration compared to newer server versions, and the ongoing effort required for maintenance and security management.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
Active Directory Domain Controller for Windows Server 2016 centralizes user and access management, strengthens security, and automates policy enforcement, helping reduce administrative overhead while improving operational efficiency and compliance.
Isaac C.
Better Than Its Predecessors, but Newer Versions Align More with Azure
Reviewed on Apr 23, 2026
Review provided by G2
What do you like best about the product?
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 the product?
Later version provide better integration with cloud based services.
What problems is the product 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.
Sharif H.
Easy to Use with Strong User and Domain Control
Reviewed on Apr 15, 2026
Review provided by G2
What do you like best about the product?
Easy to use, control users and domains, and can easlly integrate with other systems
What do you dislike about the product?
The trust between domains is a little bit complicated
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
It helps in defining the group policies and distibute them to the different OUs
Patrick B.
Strong Azure Entra ID Integration and Easy Duo Setup, with Better GPO Control
Reviewed on Mar 16, 2026
Review provided by G2
What do you like best about the product?
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 the product?
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 the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
This enables us to continue supporting legacy configurations while using Entra Connect to prepare for cloud migration.
Non-Profit Organization Management
Improved Security and Modern Admin Tools That Simplify Active Directory Management
Reviewed on Mar 10, 2026
Review provided by G2
What do you like best about the product?
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.
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 the product?
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.
Troubleshooting can be challenging – Diagnosing replication, DNS, or authentication issues often requires deep PowerShell knowledge.
What problems is the product 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.
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.