---
title: "Prepare VM as Domain Controller"
description: "This step prepares a domain controller running on the selected VM to perform an authoritative restore. This will always be the first step to execute for the VM."
canonical: "https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/vro/userguide/prepare_dc_for_lab.html"
breadcrumb: "User Guide > Appendices > Appendix A. Recovery Plan Steps > Steps Available > Prepare VM as Domain Controller"
dateModified: "2026-08-26"
---

# Prepare VM as Domain Controller

This step prepares a domain controller running on the selected VM to perform an authoritative restore. This will always be the first step to execute for the VM.

For more information on performing an authoritative restore of a domain controller, see [Microsoft Docs](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/manage/forest-recovery-guide/ad-forest-recovery-authoritative-recovery-sysvol) and [this Veeam KB article](https://www.veeam.com/blog/how-to-recover-a-domain-controller-best-practices-for-ad-protection.html).

::: important

Before you restore a domain controller, you must enable application-aware processing for the selected VM in Veeam Backup & Replication as described in the Veeam Backup & Replication User Guide, section [Enable Application-Aware Processing](https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/vbr/userguide/backup_job_vss_application_vm.html?ver=13).

:::

The **Prepare VM as Domain Controller** step has the following parameters, but they are not editable:

<table style="width:100%;" class="Blue_Table">
  <tr style="vertical-align:top">
    <th style="vertical-align:middle;">
      <p>Parameter</p>
    </th>
    <th style="vertical-align:middle; width:55%;">
      <p>Description</p>
    </th>
    <th style="vertical-align:middle;">
      <p>Default Value</p>
    </th>
  </tr>
  <tr style="vertical-align:top">
    <td style="vertical-align:top;">
      <p>Critical Step </p>
    </td>
    <td style="vertical-align:top; width:55%;">
      <p>Defines whether the step is critical for VM recovery.</p>
      <p>If you mark the step as <span style="font-style:italic;">Critical</span>, its failure for a VM from a critical inventory group will halt the plan.</p>
    </td>
    <td style="vertical-align:top;">
      <p>Yes</p>
    </td>
  </tr>
</table>