Skip to main content

Set forest and domain modes with PowerShell

Both the domain and forest functional modes in a Windows domain will determine what functionality that you get.  When you purchase a new Windows Server OS, it comes with more advanced functionality than the previous version.  Some of that functionality may not be compatible with previous versions of the server OS.  In order to raise the functional level to say, Windows Server 2008, you need to upgrade all your domain controllers to a minimum of Windows Server 2008.  You can still have Windows 2000 and 2003 member servers, just not as domain controllers.

You can use PowerShell to raise both your functional levels.  Here is an example of how to raise both levels to Windows Server 2008 R2.

Open PowerShell
Import-Module ActiveDirectory
Set-ADDomainMode –Identity (Get-ADDomain) –DomainMode Windows2008R2Domain
Set-ADForestMode –Identity (Get-ADDomain) –DomainMode Windows2008R2Forest

The valid values are:

ID Domain Forest
0 Windows2000Domain Windows2000Forest
1 Windows2003InterimDomain Windows2003InterimForest
2 Windows2003Domain WIndows2003Forest
3 Windows2008Domain Windows2008Forest
4 WIndows2008R2Domain Windows2008R2Forest

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

How to run GPResult on a remote client with PowerShell

In the past, to run the GPResult command, you would need to either physically visit this client, have the user do it, or use and RDP connection.  In all cases, this will disrupt the user.  First, you need PowerShell remoting enabled on the target machine.  You can do this via Group Policy . Open PowerShell and type this command. Invoke-Command –ScriptBlock {GPResult /r} –ComputerName <ComputerName> Replace <ComputerName> with the name of the target.  Remember, the target needs to be online and accessible to you.

Set up your Environment to utilize Invoke-GPUpdate

I’m sitting in O’Hare enjoying my 3 hour layover as I get ready to teach a Windows 10 class in Fort Wayne.  I’m actually prepping for my class in Fort Wayne in a few weeks, 10982 Supporting and Troubleshooting Windows 10.  This class is very much like the Windows 7 version that I used to teach so I decided to up the detail quite a bit.  In the GPO troubleshootin chapter, I’m including a demonstration on how to use PowerShell’s Invoke-GPUpdate.  I needed to make sure the environment is set up for me to be able to utilize this cmdlet.  If you read the Notes section on Invoke-GPUpdate’s help file, you will see there are three firwall rules that need to be in place:          Remote Scheduled Tasks Management (RPC)          Remote Scheduled Tasks Management (RPC-ERMAP)          Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI-IN) I decided to create a little PowerShell script to crea...

Sticky Key problem between Windows Server 2012 and LogMeIn

This week I instructed my first class using Windows Server 2012 accessed via LogMeIn and discovered a Sticky Key problem every time you press the Shift key. Here is my solution to resolve this.  First off, in the Preferences of LogMeIn for the connection to the Windows Server, click General . Change the Keyboard and mouse priority to Host side user and click Apply at the bottom. On the Windows 2012 server, open the Control Panel – Ease of Access – Change how your keyboard works . Uncheck Turn on Sticky Keys . Click Set up Sticky Keys . Uncheck Turn on Sticky Keys when SHIFT is pressed five times . Click OK twice. If you are using Windows Server 2012 as a Hyper-V host, you will need to redo the Easy of Use settings on each guest operating system in order to avoid the Sticky Key Problem. Updated Information: March 20, 2013 If you continue to have problems, Uncheck Turn on Filter Keys .