Windows Server: How to Transfer FSMO Roles Between domain controller
Summary: This article provides the steps necessary to transfer Flexible Single Mast Operation (FSMO) roles between domain controllers. Also, learn how to move FSMO roles, change the schema, and manage all FSMO roles efficiently to ensure a continuous Active Directory. ...
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Instructions
How to Transfer FSMO Roles Between domain controller
- Find Current FSMO Role Holders:
- Run the following command from the command prompt:
netdom query fsmo- Make note of where the roles are located.
- Transfer Relative Identifier (RID), Primary Domain Controller (PDC), and Infrastructure Roles:
- Open Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) in the Administrative Tools.
- Right-click the domain name and choose Operations Control.
- There are three tabs in the window that opens, RID, PDC, and Infrastructure. On each tab, click the Change button to transfer the role to the current domain controller.
- Transfer Domain Naming Control Role:
- Open Active Directory Domains and Trusts in the Administrative Tools.
- Right-click Active Directory Domains and Trusts in the menu and choose Operations Control.
- Click the Change button to transfer the role to the current domain controller.
- Transfer Schema Control Role:
- Register the Schema Management DLL by running the following command in the command prompt:
regsvr32 schmmgmt.dll- Load the Active Directory Schema module:
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- Click Start > Run, type MMC in the open box, and then click OK.
- On the File menu, click Add/Remove Snap-in.
- Click Add.
- Select Active Directory Schema > Add > Close, and then click OK.
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- In the Console tree, right-click Active Directory Schema, and then click Operations Control.
- Click Change to transfer the role to the current domain controller.
- Verify FSMO Role Transfer:
- Run the following command again to verify that all FSMO roles have been transferred:
netdom query fsmo
Additional Information
FSMO Roles
For more information about FSMO Roles such as changing the schema and managing the roles efficiently, see Microsoft article Active Directory FSMO roles in Windows 
- What are FSMO Roles?
- What are the five FSMO Roles?
- Why do FSMO Roles require transfer?
- When to transfer FSMO Roles.
Windows Server: How to Transfer or Seize Active Directory FSMO Roles with PowerShell
Affected Products
Microsoft Windows Server 2016, Microsoft Windows Server 2019, Microsoft Windows Server 2022, Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2008, Microsoft Windows Essential Business Server 2008Products
Microsoft Windows HPC Server 2008, Microsoft Windows HPC Server 2008 Service Pack 2, Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials, Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2008, PowerEdge R240, PowerEdge R250, PowerEdge R260, PowerEdge R340
, PowerEdge R350, PowerEdge R360, PowerEdge R440, PowerEdge R450, PowerEdge R540, PowerEdge R550, PowerEdge R640, PowerEdge R6415, PowerEdge R650, PowerEdge R650xs, PowerEdge R6515, PowerEdge R6525, PowerEdge R660, PowerEdge R660xs, PowerEdge R6615, PowerEdge R6625, PowerEdge R740, PowerEdge R740XD, PowerEdge R740XD2, PowerEdge R7415, PowerEdge R7425, PowerEdge R750, PowerEdge R750XA, PowerEdge R750xs, PowerEdge R7515, PowerEdge R7525, PowerEdge R760, PowerEdge R760XA, PowerEdge R760xd2, PowerEdge R760xs, PowerEdge R7615, PowerEdge R7625, PowerEdge R840, PowerEdge R860, PowerEdge R940, PowerEdge R940xa, PowerEdge R960, PowerEdge T130, PowerEdge T140, PowerEdge T150, PowerEdge T160, PowerEdge T330, PowerEdge T340, PowerEdge T350, PowerEdge T360, PowerEdge T430, PowerEdge T440, PowerEdge T550, PowerEdge T560, PowerEdge T630, PowerEdge T640
...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000195875
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 13 May 2026
Version: 9
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