How to migrate from domain back to workgroup?

Hi all,

I have a question related to Microsoft 2003 server environment. I need to migrate back from domain controller to plain workgroup. What should be done to to make it work. I am interested just from Microsoft prospectives, meaning users, group policy, active directory, etc. Thanks

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Asif Dasl

Command prompt - dcpromo - remove from domain

Windows system properties - remove from domain, give it a name of the workgroup

romand

Thanks Asif Dasl

romand

But is the demoting with dcpromo is really needed? If I just physically disconnect the server form the network and put all workstation in workgroup. Sure I will reconfigure DHCP and DNS because it is currently on the server. Am I missing something?

Asif Dasl

You must gracefully demote the domain controller, otherwise metadata will remain in Active Directory.

Why are you demoting all the workstations as well? You need to be wary about user profiles and user files if you are going back from a domain to a workgroup. How many workstations are you doing this to?

romand

The client wants to make it as simple as posible, so they will not keep tech suport. There are just about 4 computers. Yes, user profiles and user information that's I am worry about. As I read 2003 domain controllers may not gracefully demote, so it will bring more problems.

Asif Dasl

romand wrote: »

The client wants to make it as simple as posible, so they will not keep tech suport. There are just about 4 computers. Yes, user profiles and user information that's I am worry about. As I read 2003 domain controllers may not gracefully demote, so it will bring more problems.

I presume that the DC is the last DC in the forest. You may need to remove the DHCP service and rely on the internet router for DHCP.

You just need to transfer user documents from the domain profile to the workgroup profile using FAST (XP - File and Setting Transfer Wizard) or WET (Vista/7 - Windows Easy Transfer). Use the wizard in the domain profile to take the documents and settings across, then remove the computer from the domain and run the wizard again as if it were the 'new' computer to transfer all the documents and settings to the workgroup profile.

PS. It's highly unusual to do this process i.e. domain to workgroup. You would normally want computers to be centrally managed using a server.

romand

Thank you Asif Dasl, once again! Your posts were very helpfull.

romand

phoeneous wrote: »

You should advise your client not to do this.

Yes, I will advise them not to do this

r1ngl0rd

I know it's been a few years, but what was the outcome of this migration? Did you do it? Was it successful?