Change Schema Master in Active Directory

To change the Schema Master in Active Directory you will need to register a DLL to enable the Active Directory Schema MMC. This MMC is disabled by default as this tool can break active directory completely if you make changes to the schema (think the regedit but for Active Directory).

To start open a run command and type “regsvr32.exe c:\windows\system32\schmgmt.dll”. This dll may also be in the winnt directory depending on whether your server was upgraded from Windows 2000.

If the command is successful you should get the following message.

Next open a clean MMC window by typing “mmc” into the run command.

Click on Console -> Add/Remove Snap-in.

Select the Active Directory Schema and click Add

Right Click on Active Directory Schema as shown and select Operations Master…

Make sure the Current Focus is the server you want to change to and then click change.

Note: Doing a DCPromo on the schema master should move that role to another Domain Controller within your domain, but I would still prefer to move roles off a server your going to decommission before you remove active directory from it.