Rename / Change Active Directory Domain Name

Rename / Change Active Directory Domain Name

Meir Peleg - Microsoft MVP

[ImmiFile]

Just a couple of things to keep in mind. After the Domain Controller restarts the first time, make a pause and restart twice all the workstations so they can pick up the new domain name change. You just have to log in with the usual domain credentials and then clicking Restart on the Start menu. If you do this there will be no need to re-join them manually.

After this has been performed each Domain Controller will need to be renamed with the new FQDN and then they should be restarted. Here's how to do it. Assuming that your Domain Controller name is "Server", use the following commands on CMD with Administrator privileges:

netdom computername Server.OldDomainName.com /add:Server.NewDomainName.com

netdom computername Server.OldDomainName.com

Once you do that, restart the Domain Controller again and now you can go ahead and use the commands rendom /clean and rendom /end as shown in the video to complete the process and unfreeze any Domain Controller operations.

Hope this helps.

[angelorebeli]

It is very important after the DC reboot, all computer members to reboot twice so they get - apply the domain name change, otherwise must rejoin to AD. If the computer members don't reboot twice before the netdom /clean command they wont apply the name change. If in unfortunate event some computer don't apply the change just do the AD join procedure and you will take an error there is no controller to communicate (because it cant find the old domain name) and just ignore it with OK and then it will ask for credentials to join on new domain name. reboot and is ok

[praneshramesh]

Hi share me any script ( powershell ) that use to change domain name in client computer.

[aguspije]

what about the client? need to re join or automaticly

[randallewebb]

Thanks for this. Just implemented this morning.

[ralphp]

Yay. Silent movie! Needs the jaunty piano backing music though... or you could tell us why you're doing what your doing, which would be nice.