Moving Active Directory database and log files

On October 19, 2005

Sometimes you may have a need to move your Active Directory database to another location. This could be to improve performance, or you may be running low on disk space.

You can use NTDSUTIL.EXE to move the Active Directory database (ntds.dit file) and the log files. Here’s the procedure.

1. Reboot your domain controller.
2. Press F8 and select Directory Services Restore Mode.
3. Logon as Administrator.
4. Go to the command prompt and type ntdsutil.exe to start the utility. To get help, type a question mark “?”.
5. Type “files” without the quote.
6. To move AD database, type move db %s, where %s is the path where you want to move the database. For example, move db d:\ntds.
7. To move log files type move logs to %s, where %s is the new location for the log files.
8. Type quit a couple of times to exit the utility.
9. Restart the domain controller in the normal mode.

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