To remove Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) from a domain controller, run the Active Directory Domain Services Installation Wizard (Dcpromo.exe). The wizard automatically detects that the server is already a domain controller and guides you through the steps to remove AD DS. If the wizard cannot successfully remove AD DS for some reason, you may have to force the removal of the domain controller.

Removing AD DS from a server

The following table lists the steps that you can take to remove AD DS from a server.

  Step Reference
Check box

If you plan to retain other domain controllers in the domain, follow the steps for removing a domain controller from the domain.

Removing a Domain Controller from a Domain (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=93207)

Check box

If you plan to retire the last domain controller in a domain, follow the steps for removing the last domain controller in the domain.

Removing the Last Domain Controller in a Domain (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=93208)

Check box

If you plan to retire the last domain controller from the only domain in the forest, follow the steps for removing the last domain controller in the forest.

Removing the Last Domain Controller in a Forest (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=93209)

Check box

If the domain controller that you want to retire has no connectivity to other domain controllers, you may have to force the removal of AD DS from the server.

Forcing the Removal of a Domain Controller (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=93210)

Table Of Contents