How to demote the Domain Controller

Following shows the procedures how to demote the Domain Controller.

Demoting a domain controller removes Active Directory and switches to using a local User Accounts System.

Important condsideration before demoting a Domain Controller

1. Account used to demote the server should have enterprise administrator permission

2. If this domain controller is a global catalog, ensure that another global catalog is available to users before demoting it

3. Make sure this is the last Domain Controller for the Domain. If you choose this option it will delete the Domain Controller from the forest level

Step by Step Procedure to Demote a Domain Controller

1. On a domain controller, click Start, and then click Run.

1. In Open, type dcpromo to open the Active Directory Installation Wizard, and then click Next.

2. On the warning page, read the message and click OK

3. On the Remove Active Directory page, click Next, and then continue to follow the wizard.

4. Select This server is the last Domain Controller in the Domain. If you select this option Domain Controller will be deleted from the forest

5. On the Application Directory partition page, click NEXT

6. on the Confirm Deletion window, choose the option to delete all application directory partitions

7. Enter a Administrator password to login to the system after the domain controller Demoted.

8. On the summary review the things and click Next

9. Below window show the demotion page of the Domain Controller

10. On the Completion page click finish

Post Installation Tasks

1. Restart the PC

2. Login with the administrator password that you have entered while demoting the DC

3. Run the ADSI utility to check for Domain Name