Question

Rebuild AD and DNS

DNS, Active Directory, Windows Server 2003

I have 1 Windows 2K3 Server that has roles as a DC,AD,DNS,DHCP. I am getting several DNS errors that I can seem to cure. I would like to reinstall AD and DNS without having to reinstall the OS. Is this possible?

Uninstalling Active Directory is usually a simple procedure which I describe here. Although this is written for Windows 2003 the procedure is almost identical to uninstall Active Directory on Windows 2000.

You need to be a member of the domain admins group.

1.) As when installing Active Directory, we start with the same simple command. Click on start, run and type “dcpromo” as below
How to uninstall Active Directory

2.) When the wizard starts, click next.

AD removal

3.) OK to the next message. We are assuming this is the last or only server in the domain.

How to remove active directory

4.) Check the box to remove the partitions (I took the screenshot before I checked it. Doh!)
Uninstall AD Windows server

5.) Click Next

Rmove active directory 2003 2000

6.) Select a password for the server administrator account

Remove Active Directory

7.) Click Next on the information box.

Remove Active Directory from domain controller

8.) The removal process now starts and may take some time

Remove AD off domain controller

9.) Click Finish and then restart and we’re away.

Uninstallation of Active Directory

Uninstall of DNS -

When it is safe to remove DNS Server (Active Directory Integrated)



Not necessarily all points only No. 2 applies to Primary Server.

I have posted basic guidelines for removing DNS server from the network.


Here is a list of points for your review:


You can safely remove any DNS server running in your network BUT you should not if the following conditions are true:

1. If this DNS server is authoritative for a Active Directory domain or DNS Domain Zone.

If you remove any DNS server that is authoritative for any domain zone configured in your network. It will remove the SRV records from zone and connectivity to domain controllers through DNS server.

2. If this is the primary DNS Server and you have configured rest of DNS servers on other DCs to work as secondary DNS Servers then you should not remove this DNS server. Doing so will cause replication failures. Secondary servers will be inoperable.

3. If any domain is delegated under this DNS server.

4. If this DNS server contains the SOA records for other authoritative DNS Server for zone.

5. Your clients are configured to use this DNS server. Removing this DNS server from operation will cause problems,

clients won't be able to log on to network or find domain controllers.

The above are the basic guidelines to consider while removing a DNS server from your network.