How to clean up server metadata using command line?
How to clean up server metadata using command line?
You can also use the Active Directory Sites and Services console (Dssite.msc) to delete a domain controller’s computer account, which also completes metadata cleanup automatically. However, Active Directory Sites and Services removes the metadata automatically only when you first delete the NTDS Settings object below the computer account in Dssite.msc.
From NTDSUTIL command line:-
As an alternative, you can clean up metadata by using Ntdsutil.exe, a command-line tool that is installed automatically on all domain controllers and servers that have Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS) installed. Ntdsutil.exe is also available on computers that have RSAT installed.
To clean up server metadata by using Ntdsutil
- Open a command prompt as an administrator: On the Start menu, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. If the User Account Controldialog box appears, provide Enterprise Admins credentials, if required, and then click Continue.
- At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
ntdsutil
- At the ntdsutil: prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
metadata cleanup
- At the metadata cleanup: prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
remove selected server <ServerName>
Or
remove selected server <ServerName1> on <ServerName2>
| Value | Description |
| ntdsutil: metadata cleanup | Initiates removal of objects that refer to a decommissioned domain controller. |
| remove selected server | Removes objects for a specified, decommissioned domain controller from a specified server. |
| <ServerName> or <ServerName1> | The distinguished name of the domain controller whose metadata you want to remove, in the form cn=ServerName,cn=Servers,cn=SiteName, cn=Sites, cn=Configuration, dc=ForestRootDomain. If you specify only one server name, the objects are removed from the current domain controller. |
| on <ServerName2> | Specifies removing server metadata on <ServerName2>, the Domain Name System (DNS) name of the domain controller to which you want to connect . If you have identified replication partners in preparation for This procedure, specify a domain controller that is a replication partner of the removed domain controller. |
- In Server Remove Configuration Dialog, review the information and warning, and then click Yes to remove the server object and metadata.
At this point, Ntdsutil confirms that the domain controller was removed successfully. If you receive an error message that indicates that the object cannot be found, the domain controller might have been removed earlier.
So, that’s all in this blog. I will meet you soon with next stuff .Have a nice day !!!
Recommended content
RODC Installation Guide- Step by step guide to install read only domain controller
RODC Filtered Attribute Set
Installing and configuring a RODC in Windows Server-2012
How to find the GUID of Domain Controller
Group Policy Understanding Group Policy Preferences
Group Policy Verification Tool GPOTool Exe
Group Policy Health Check on Specific Domain Controller
What is Netlogon Folder in Active Directory
How to Create Custom Attributes in Active Directory
How Can I Check the Tombstone Lifetime of My Active Directory Forest
How to Determine a Computers AD Site From the Command Line
How to Check the Active Directory Database Integrity
Guys please don’t forget to like and share the post.Also join our WindowsTechno Community and where you can post your queries/doubts and our experts will address them .
You can also share the feedback on below windows techno email id.
If you have any questions feel free to contact us on admin@windowstechno.com also follow us on facebook@windowstechno to get updates about new blog posts.
