2 Ways to Transfer Active Directory to a New Windows Server

"Does anyone know how to migrate Active Directory to another Windows Server machine? For instance, I've bought a new Windows Server 2022 and I need to move AD from my old Windows Server 2016 to the 2022 version. Can someone guide me through the process?"

Are you searching for a dependable method to迁移Active Directory数据库从Windows Server计算机到新的服务器机器？别紧张，如果你是新任服务器管理员也不用担心。工具将向你展示成功将AD从服务器迁移到服务器的完整步骤。首先，让我们看看详细信息：

Method 1: Utilize the Active Directory Migration Tool

• Tool: Active Directory Migration Tool
• Difficulty Level: Low

To swiftly transfer Active Directory, consider using an Active Directory migration tool, such as Todo PCTrans Technician. This tool offers a PC-to-PC file transfer feature that efficiently completes the task,迁移包括所有数据和设置在内的全面内容,简化了迁移过程。

In this tutorial, we offer two methods for transferring Active Directory from one server to another on Windows Server 2022/2019/2016/2012 R2/2012/2008 R2/2008/2003, and both approaches are effective.

Here's the comprehensive process you can follow to migrate and seamlessly transfer the Active Directory database from one server to another: 1. **Prepare the Target Server**: Install the same version of Windows Server on the target server as the source server. Ensure it's up to date with patches and updates. 2. **Promote the Target Server to a Domain Controller**: Add the new server as a domain controller in the same domain. This can be done using the Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) role in Server Manager. Choose the "Add a new forest" or "Add a domain controller to an existing forest" option, depending on your setup. 3. **Transfer FSMO Roles**: Flexible Single Master Operations (FSMO) roles must be transferred to the new server. Use the Active Directory Users and Computers tool, right-click the domain, and select "Operations Masters." Transfer each role to the new server. 4. **Replicate Data**: Allow sufficient time for replication to occur between the two servers. This ensures all AD changes are up-to-date on the new server. 5. **Demote the Source Server**: Once data replication is complete, demote the source server to a member server. This can be done through the Server Manager, selecting "Remove Roles and Features," then following the prompts to demote the server. 6. **Double-Check Replication**: Verify that all necessary information has been replicated to the new server by checking user accounts, groups, and other AD objects. 7. **Finalize the Migration**: After confirming everything is working correctly, you can safely decommission the source server. Make sure all applications and services are functioning properly with the new domain controller. 8. **Post-Migration Tasks**: Update any documentation, scripts, or configuration files that reference the old server's name or IP address with the new server's details. Remember to test the migration in a non-production environment first, and always have a backup plan in case of any issues.

Step 1. Launch Todo PCTrans on both of your source and target computers. Choose "PC to PC" to proceed.

Step 2. Choose the transfer direction - New PC or Old PC.

"New" - Transfer files from the old Server to the current new Server.

"Old" - Transfer files from the current old Server to a new Server.

Step 3. Connect the current PC to the target PC by entering the target computer's account password or its verification code. You can turn on the "Connection Verification" on the top right of the "PC to PC" main screen on the target computer.

Step 4. Click "Files" > "Transfer" to select the files you want to transfer to another Server computer. Then click "Transfer" to migrate the specific data you've chosen.

Step 5. Wait for the process to finish. PCTrans will transfer files at a fast speed, and it won't take too long.

完成后，可以重新启动目标 Windows Server 计算机并以管理员身份登录。

If you require additional assistance or online technical support for Server Active Directory Migration, please click the chat button below to instantly connect with the technical support team.

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Method 2: Backup Active Directory and Restore it to Another Server

• Tool: PowerShell
• Difficulty Level: high

Assuming you have two Windows Server computers and need to transfer the Active Directory database from one server to another, here are the manual steps you can follow:

< strong > Step 1. < /strong > Introduce a new domain controller with the target Server to be the new FSMO role holder for the domain. & nbsp;

To migrate the FSMO role, refer to this post in the Microsoft community for assistance: Transfer FSMO Roles in Active Directory.

Step 2. Introduce new domain controllers to the forest root and domain tree levels.

Open PowerShell and type the following two command lines, pressing Enter after each one:

• hostname
• netdom query fsmo

Introduce new domain controllers to the forest root domain.

Step 3. Log in to the target server computer as a member of the local administrator group. And add the Server to the existing domain as a member. Login to the target server computer as a member of the local administrator group, and then join the Server to the existing domain as a member.

Step 4. Restart the Windows Server and log in as an Enterprise Administrator.

Assign a static IP address to the server.

Step 5. Right-click the Windows icon and select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)."

Step 6. Type Install-WindowsFeature –Name AD-Domain-Services -IncludeManagementTools in PowerShell and press Enter.

This will install the Active Directory Domain Services role on the specified server.

Step 7. Type the following syntax command lines one by one in PowerShell and press Enter after each. This will configure the new Server as an additional domain controller:

1. Install-ADDSDomainController
2. -CreateDnsDelegation:$false
3. -InstallDns:$true
4. -DomainName "rebeladmin.net"
5. -SiteName "Default-First-Site-Name"
6. -ReplicationSourceDC "DC08.rebeladmin.net"
7. -DatabasePath "C:\Windows\NTDS"
8. -LogPath "C:\Windows\NTDS"
9. -SysvolPath "C:\Windows\SYSVOL"
10. -Force:$true

The command mentioned above does not have any line breaks. So, what do these syntax mean? Let's take a look:

Step 8. If prompted, type a new complex password for the SafeModeAdministrator Password.

Next, restart the Server system and log in as an administrator.

Step 9. Open PowerShell again, type Get-Service ads,kdc,netlogon, DNS, and press Enter to check the AD DS status.

Step 10. In PowerShell, type Get-ADDomainController -Filter * | Format-Table Name, IPv4Address, Site and press Enter.

Step 11. Migrate all FSMO roles to the new domain controller by typing Move-ADDirectoryServerOperationMasterRole -Identity REBEL-DC2019 -OperationMasterRole SchemaMaster, DomainNamingMaster, PDCEmulator, RIDMaster, InfrastructureMaster in PowerShell and press Enter.

Note: Replace REBEL_DC2019 with your new Windows Server instance.

Translate the following text into English:

Step 12. Type Netdom query fsmo in PowerShell to verify the new FSMO role holder.

Step 13. Type Uninstall-ADDSDomainController -DemoteOperationMasterRole -RemoveApplicationPartition to decommission the old Windows domain controller.

Step 14. Type Set-ADDomainMode –identity therebeladmin.com -DomainMode Windows2016Domain in PowerShell and press Enter to upgrade the functional domain levels.

Step 15. Type Set-ADForestMode -Identity therebeladmin.com -ForestMode Windows2016Forest in PowerShell and press Enter to upgrade the forest functional level.

Wait for the process to finish. Once completed, the Server AD migration process is done. To confirm if it was successful, type the following two command lines in PowerShell and press Enter after each one:

• Get-ADDomain | fl Name, DomainMode
• Get-ADForest | fl Name, ForestMode
These are PowerShell commands used to retrieve information about an Active Directory domain and forest. Here's the translation in English:
• Get-ADDomain | Format-List Name, DomainMode
• Get-ADForest | Format-List Name, ForestMode
These commands display the name and the domain or forest mode respectively, in a list format. "Get-ADDomain" retrieves details of the Active Directory domain, while "Get-ADForest" retrieves details of the Active Directory forest. "fl" is an alias for "Format-List".

As displayed above, if you witness the successful result, you have indeed migrated Active Directory to a new Server machine. If you consider this guide comprehensive and beneficial, kindly remember to share it with others who might be in need.

What Is Active Directory and Why迁移到新服务器的必要性

- By Microsoft Active Directory Overview

Based on the above explanation, an Active Directory can be viewed as a database called AD that connects users to network resources to facilitate their tasks. So, what does Active Directory encompass? Let's explore:

• Information objects - shared resources such as servers, volumes, printers, network users, and computer accounts.
• A set of rules - schema defines the classes of objects and attributes in the Directory.
• A global catalog - information about every object in the Directory.
• A query and index mechanism - ensures objects and their properties can be published and found by network users or applications.
• A replication service - distributes directory data across a network.

When transitioning to a new Server computer, a crucial step is to迁移Active Directory to the new Server. On this page, we have compiled two methods that you can follow to effectively migrate the AD database to a new server on your own.

Bonus Tips for Server-to-Server Migration Additional guidelines for migrating from one server to another.

除了将Active Directory从一台服务器转移到另一台服务器外，您可能还有其他许多内容需要迁移，例如用户数据、用户账户、域账户和设置、应用程序等。

如何将服务器数据完全转移到另一个服务器？请查看以下内容：

#1. Transfer User Data and Accounts to the New Server

The tool Todo PCTrans, equipped with its account settings transfer feature, can assist you in fully migrating user data and accounts to a new server with just a few simple clicks.

Step 1. Install and launch Todo PCTrans on both computers. On the source PC, choose "PC to PC" to proceed.

Step 2. Choose the transfer direction - as either the Old PC or the New PC.

Ensure that both PCs are connected to the same Local Area Network (LAN). Connect to the target PC either by its IP address or by adding it manually. Enter the login credentials (account and password) for the target PC, and then establish the connection by clicking "Connect."

Step 3. Click on the "Accounts" section to specify the user accounts and settings you want to transfer.

Step 4. Enter the user account and password of the source computer, and select the User Account Settings, User Data, and other settings that you want to transfer.

Step 5. After selection, click "Transfer" to start transferring user accounts and settings.

#2. Migrate Essential Applications to the New Server

In addition to server data, files, and accounts, you might also need to迁移一些关键应用程序到新服务器，如Windows Server Manager, SQL installer, Exchange, Quickbooks, Office, Adobe, etc.

You can easily handle this task and complete it independently with the assistance of reliable Windows Server file transfer software. Here's how to proceed:

Step 1. Run Todo PCTrans on both PCs

Download the tool Todo PCTrans, and you'll be in the PC-to-PC interface.

Step 2. Choose Transfer Direction - Old or New Computer

"This is New PC" - Transfer all data from the remote old computer to the current new computer.

"This is Old PC" - Transfer all data from the current old device to a new computer.

Step 3. Connect two computers

1. Choose the target PC to connect to by its IP address or device name, then click "Connect."

2. Enter the login password for the target PC and click "OK" to confirm.

If you don't see the target PC in the listed devices, you can also click "Add PC" to manually connect to it by entering its IP address or device name.

Step 4. Select apps, programs, and software to transfer to the target computer

1. You can select and choose what you want to transfer from the current computer to the target PC.

2. After selecting the desired apps and programs, click "Transfer" to initiate the transfer process.

Conclusion

This tutorial page explains what Active Directory is and why it is crucial for server administrators to migrate AD to a new server. It also presents two methods to effectively migrate Active Directory to a new server on Windows Server 2022, 2019, 2016, 2012, 2008, 2003, and so on. Please note that the process can be somewhat intricate, so exercise caution and patience when typing command lines in PowerShell to perform the task. Alternatively, you may opt for a professional AD migration tool like Todo PCTrans.