Properly Renaming a Domain Controller (Server 2012R2)
WINSXS folder cleanup for Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2
March 22, 2015Control USB storage devices using GPO
March 22, 2015Introduction
Usually, you never want to rename a domain controller. you should think hard about what you want it to be named and stick with it.
If you (like me) had a customer that is absolutely demanding it, you ARE able to do it. (NEVER use computer properties to rename a domain controller.)
WARNING: The server will be rebooted during this process and until completed, I cannot guarantee that the server will process logons.
We will be presuming the current server name is wrongname.domain.local, and the new name will be server.domain.local, please change these to suit your current situation.
Steps (8 total)
Open a command prompt. (Windows key+r (run) + cmd)
SYNTAX : netdom computername <currentDC FQDN> /add:<newDCName FQDN>
so, in the command prompt, type (sans quotes) “netdom computername wrongname.domain.local /add:server.domain.local”
This should return with “Added (NAME) as an alternate name for the computer. The command completed successfully.
SYNTAX: netdom computername <currentDC FQDN> /makeprimary:<newDCName FQDN>
so, we type netdom computername wrongname.domain.local /makeprimary:server.domain.local
IMPORTANT: This command will return successful, and warn you that you need to reboot immediately, as it may not authenticate logons (very important if only DC in forest)
Pick your poison. I like “shutdown /r /t 0” in the cmd.
Go to system properties and confirm new computer name.
SYNTAX: netdom computername <newDCName FQDN> /remove:<oldDCName FQDN>
(remember, in a command prompt)
so, “netdom computername server.domain.local /remove:wrongname.domain.local”
Command should return successfully.
in cmd, run a “dcdiag” to make sure everything is AOK.
If you use logon scripts, remember to update the UNC paths with the new server name.
Conclusion
Altogether, this can be somewhat a nail biting task, but as long as you take your time to do things properly, it will turn out AOK!
