Transfer the schema master role

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

To transfer the schema master role

• Using the Windows interface

• Using a command line

Using the Windows interface

1. Open the Active Directory Schema snap-in.

   If you have not already installed the Active Directory Schema snap-in, please see Install the Active Directory Schema snap-in (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=209652).

2. In the console tree, right-click Active Directory Schema and then click Change Domain Controller.

3. Click Specify Name and type the name of the domain controller that you want to hold the schema master role.

4. In the console tree, right-click Active Directory Schema, and then click Operations Master.

5. Click Change.

Notes

• To perform this procedure, you must be a member of the Schema Admins group in Active Directory, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority. As a security best practice, consider using Run as to perform this procedure. For more information, see Default local groups, Default groups, and Using Run as.

• The Active Directory Schema snap-in must be connected to the schema master to perform this procedure. The Active Directory Schema snap-in connects to the schema master by default when it is started.

• If the Active Directory Schema snap-in is not installed, see Related Topics.

Using a command line

1. Open Command Prompt.

2. Type:

   ntdsutil

3. At the ntdsutil command prompt, type:

   roles

4. At the fsmo maintenance command prompt, type:

   connection

5. At the server connections command prompt, type:

   connect to serverDomainController

6. At the server connections command prompt, type:

   quit

7. At the fsmo maintenance command prompt, type:

   transfer schema master

Value	Description
DomainController	The domain controller to which you want to transfer the role.

Notes

• To perform this procedure, you must be a member of the Schema Admins group in Active Directory, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority. As a security best practice, consider using Run as to perform this procedure. For more information, see Default local groups, Default groups, and Using Run as.

• To open the Active Directory Schema snap-in, click Start, click Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Active Directory Schema.

• To open a command prompt, click Start, point to All programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command prompt.

• To view the complete syntax for this command, at the ntdsutil command prompt, type:

  roles ENTER

  ? ENTER

Information about functional differences

• Your server might function differently based on the version and edition of the operating system that is installed, your account permissions, and your menu settings. For more information, see Viewing Help on the Web.

See Also

Concepts

Working with MMC console files Windows Server 2003 Administration Tools Pack Overview Install the Active Directory Schema snap-in Operations master roles Command-line reference A-Z Ntdsutil