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Applies To: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2
You can remove the Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) server role by using the Active Directory Domain Services Installation Wizard or an answer file or by running Dcpromo.exe at a command line.
For more information about parameters that are available for removing AD DS, see Demotion Operation. For information about unattended AD DS removal return codes, see the Unattended Installation Return Codes.
These procedures for removing AD DS are applicable to ___domain controllers that run Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2.
Remove a ___domain controller from a ___domain
For procedures to remove a ___domain controller from an existing ___domain, see Removing a Domain Controller from a Domain.
Remove the last ___domain controller in a ___domain
For procedures to remove the last ___domain controller in a ___domain, see Removing the Last Domain Controller in a Domain.
Remove the last ___domain controller in a forest
For procedures to remove the last ___domain controller in a forest, see Removing the Last Domain Controller in a Forest.
Force the removal of a ___domain controller
As a last resort, if you do not have connectivity to other ___domain controllers, you might need to force the removal of AD DS from a ___domain controller. On ___domain controllers that run Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2, you can force the removal of AD DS while the server is started in Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM). For procedures to force the removal of a ___domain controller, see Forcing the Removal of a Domain Controller.