Seize the domain naming master role

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

To seize the domain naming master role

Open Command Prompt.
Type:

ntdsutil
At the ntdsutil command prompt, type:

roles
At the fsmo maintenance command prompt, type:

connections
At the server connections command prompt, type:

connect to server DomainController
At the server connections prompt, type:

quit
At the fsmo maintenance command prompt, type:

seize domain naming master

Value	Description
DomainController	The domain controller to which you want to assign the new operations master role. Use only for recovery purposes.

Caution

Do not seize the domain naming master role if you can transfer it instead. Seizing the domain naming master role is a drastic step that should be considered only if the current operations master will never be available again. For more information about transferring operations master roles, see Related Topics.

Notes

To perform this procedure, you must be a member of the Administrators group on the local computer, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority. If the computer is joined to a domain, members of the Domain Admins group might be able to perform this procedure. As a security best practice, consider using Run as to perform this procedure.
To open a command prompt, click Start, point to All programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command prompt.
Before seizing the domain naming master role, use the repadmin command-line tool to verify whether the new operations master has received any updates performed by the previous role holder, and then remove the current operations master from the network. For more information about operations master roles and the Active Directory command-line tools, see Related Topics.

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.