Microsoft KB Archive/816108

= HOW TO: Use the Dcpromo.exe Tool to Remove Active Directory in Windows Server 2003 =

PSS ID Number: 816108

Article Last Modified on 3/1/2004

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Datacenter Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Enterprise Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Premium Edition

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For a Microsoft Windows 2000 version of this article, see 307304.

IN THIS TASK

 * SUMMARY
 * Considerations
 * Remove Active Directory
 * REFERENCES



SUMMARY
This step-by step article describes how to remove Active Directory from a Windows Server 2003-based domain controller by using the Dcpromo.exe tool.

You can use the Dcpromo.exe tool on an existing domain controller to remove Active Directory. This demotes the domain controller to a member server. If the domain controller is the last domain controller in the domain, the server becomes a standalone server.

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Considerations
The following considerations apply when you remove Active Directory and demote a domain controller:
 * You must be a member of the Domain Administrators group in the forest root domain or the Enterprise Administrators group in Active Directory to perform this procedure. You can also perform this procedure if you are delegated the appropriate authority.
 * If the domain controller is a global catalog, make sure that another global catalog is available to users before you demote it.
 * If the domain controller is the last domain controller in the forest, demoting it also removes the domain from the forest. If it is the last domain in the forest, demoting the domain controller also deletes the forest.
 * If you remove Active Directory from all domain controllers in a domain, you also delete the directory database for the domain. The domain no longer exists.
 * If the domain controller currently holds one or more operations masters operations roles, transfer the operations masters role to another domain controller before you demote it.
 * If the domain controller holds the last replica of one or more application directory partitions, you must first remove the last application directory partition replicas from the domain controller before you can demote it.

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Remove Active Directory
To remove Active Directory and demote a domain controller:
 * 1) Click Start, and then click Run.
 * 2) In the Open box, type dcpromo, and then click OK to start the Active Directory Installation Wizard.
 * 3) Click Next.
 * 4) Use one of the following methods:
 * 5) * If this is the last domain controller in the domain, click to select the This server is the last domain controller in the domain check box, and then click Next.
 * 6) * If the domain controller is not the last domain controller in the domain, click Next.
 * 7) Type a user name and password with the correct permissions to the domain, and then click Next.
 * 8) Type, and then confirm the password for the administrator account on the server, and then click Next.
 * 9) On the Summary page, click Next, and then click Finish.

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