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Decommissioning 2012, 2012R2 and 2016 Functional Level DC

Supported domain controllers in 2016 functional level domain:

  • Windows Server 2022
  • Windows Server 2019
  • Windows Server 2016

Supported domain controllers in 2012R2 functional level domain:

  • Windows Server 2022
  • Windows Server 2019
  • Windows Server 2016
  • Windows Server 2012 R2

Supported domain controllers in 2012 functional level domain:

  • Windows Server 2022
  • Windows Server 2019
  • Windows Server 2016
  • Windows Server 2012 R2
  • Windows Server 2012

Before you start​

  1. Make sure the DC is not any of the following:
    • Schema master – Forest-wide and one per forest - MMC > AD Schema Master - if it's not there run CMD as admin and register this DLL: regsvr32 schmmgmt.dll
    • Domain naming master – Forest-wide and one per forest - AD Domains and Trusts
    • RID master – Domain-specific and one for each domain - AD Users and Computers
    • PDC – PDC Emulator is domain-specific and one for each domain - AD Users and Computers
    • Infrastructure master – Domain-specific and one for each domain - AD Users and Computers
  2. Make sure the functional level of the domain is 2012, 2012R2 or 2016.
    • Go to AD Users and Computers
    • Right-click > Properties on the Domain in question

Demote the Domain​

Issue the following PowerShell commands

  • Uninstall-addsdomaincontroller -credential (get-credential)
  • Uninstall-windowsfeature AD-Domain-Services