AZ-802 Deploy and Manage AD DS Practice Question
You are adding a new Windows Server 2022 domain controller to an existing forest that currently has a functional level of Windows Server 2012 R2. What is the maximum functional level you can set for the new domain controller?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
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Windows Server 2012 R2
Domain controllers run the operating system version installed on them, but the domain and forest functional levels determine which features are available across the entire environment. A new Windows Server 2022 DC can join a 2012 R2 forest, but it will operate within the constraints of that lower functional level.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Windows Server 2022
Why it's wrong here
There is no 'Windows Server 2022' functional level. Microsoft has not introduced new domain or forest functional levels since Windows Server 2016. Even if it existed, a single DC cannot exceed the level defined for the entire domain or forest it is joining.
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Windows Server 2012 R2
Why this is correct
The new domain controller must adhere to the existing domain and forest functional levels of the environment it is joining. Since the current level is Windows Server 2012 R2, the new DC will function at that level until an administrator manually raises the level for the entire domain.
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Windows Server 2016
Why it's wrong here
While the Windows Server 2022 operating system supports the 2016 functional level, you cannot raise a domain's level simply by adding a new DC. All existing domain controllers must be running at least Windows Server 2016 before the functional level can be officially upgraded to that version.
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Windows Server 2019
Why it's wrong here
Similar to Windows Server 2022, there is no specific functional level for Windows Server 2019. The highest available functional level remains Windows Server 2016. Attempting to set a non-existent level would fail, and the DC would simply join the existing 2012 R2 domain as-is.
About these practice questions
This AZ-802 question is part of Courseiva's 116-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Microsoft exam blueprint
This AZ-802 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the AZ-802 exam.