Convert a group to another group type

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

To convert a group to another group type

  • Using the Windows interface

  • Using a command line

Using the Windows interface

  1. Open Active Directory Users and Computers.

  2. In the console tree, click the folder that contains the group that you want to convert to another group type.

    Where?

    • Active Directory Users and Computers/domain node/folder that contains the group
  3. In the details pane, right-click the group, and then click Properties.

  4. On the General tab, under Group type, click the group type.

Notes

  • To perform this procedure, you must be a member of the Account Operators group, Domain Admins group, or the Enterprise 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 Active Directory Users and Computers, click Start, click Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Active Directory Users and Computers.

  • To convert a group, the domain functional level must be set to Windows 2000 native or higher. Groups cannot be converted when the domain functional level is set to Windows 2000 mixed.

Using a command line

  1. Open Command Prompt.

  2. Type:

    dsmod group GroupDN -secgrp {yes|no}

Value Description

GroupDN

Specifies the distinguished name of the group object for which you want to change the group type.

{yes|no}

Specifies that the group type is set to security group (yes) or distribution group (no).

Notes

  • To perform this procedure, you must be a member of the Account Operators group, Domain Admins group, or the Enterprise 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 a command prompt, click Start, point to All programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command prompt.

  • To convert a group, the domain functional level must be set to Windows 2000 native or higher. Groups cannot be converted when the domain functional level is set to Windows 2000 mixed.

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

    dsmod group /?

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

Dsmod
Group types
Groups
Understanding Groups
Command-line reference A-Z
Domain and forest functionality
Working with MMC console files