Migrating Windows Server 2012 R2 FSMO roles to another DC

Here are quick steps how to transfer FSMO roles from one domain controller to another, In this case I AM moving the roles  from one Windows Server 2012 R2 domain controller to another 2012 R2.  I have had to do this a few times, most recently when a DC became unstable and had all the roles assigned to it.

Migrating FSMO roles:
RID master
PDC emulator
Infrastructure master
Domain naming master
Schema master

Query where the current FSMO roles reside

C:\>netdom query fsmo

Migrating RID, PDC, Infrastructure

Open up the “Operations Masters” on the Destination Server.  I am migrating my roles from DC1 (dc.mylab.local) to DC2 (server1.mylab.local).  So I am opening up “Operations Masters” on DC2 (server1.mylab.local) as I am moving all of my FSMO roles here.

Once “Operations Masters” opens you will have the option to migrate the
RID, PDC, Infrastructure FSMO roles as seen in the 3 tabs below.  Just enter the destination server and click Change.

Do the same for the PDC/Infrastructure Tab.  Once you do that and run “netdom query fsmo” you will notice that 3 of the FSMO roles are now on DC2 (server1.mylab.local)

Migrating the “Domain Naming FSMO” role

Migrating Active Directory domains naming operatiosn Master.  Open up Domains and Trusts.  Do this also from DC2 (server1.mylab.local).  I am moving my “Domains naming master” from DC1 to DC2.  I am opening Operations Master on DC2.

Select your destination server and click on Change.  You should see a succesfully moved message, check your “netdom query fsmo” command and you should see that it has moved.

Migrating the Schema FSMO role

Open command prompt as administrator and register the following DLL (This is required to transfer the Schema role).  I am migrating my schema role from DC1 to DC2.  I am running this on DC2.

Open up mmc and add “Active Directory Schema” snap-in

Select “Operations Master”

Type in the destination server at the bottom prompt and click on Change.  You should see successfully transferred schema master from DC1 to DC2 message.

All FSMO Roles have been transferred from DC1 (dc.mylab.local) to DC2 (server1.mylab.local)