Networking / Security · Risk: High · Documentation Verified
Last verified: 2026-10-26
Microsoft DnsServer reference: Adds a conditional forwarder to a DNS server. The syntax and selected example below are adapted from the pinned Windows Server 2025 reference. Module availability, target configuration and delegated permissions determine whether it can run in your environment. Documentation and parameter text: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; formatting adapted by Cmdlet World. No execution testing is claimed.
Use an account with the target resource permissions documented for Add-DnsServerConditionalForwarderZone. Modifying administrative cmdlets may require elevation or delegated administration. This catalog does not assert that ordinary users can execute the command.
Supported environments
Windows / DnsServer · Windows Server 2025 documentation; feature/module prerequisites apply
Parameters
-AsJob
Runs the cmdlet as a background job. Use this parameter to run commands that take a long time to complete. The cmdlet immediately returns an object that represents the job and then displays the command prompt. You can continue to work in the session while the job completes. To manage the job, use the *-Job cmdlets. To get the job results, use the Receive-Job cmdlet. For more information about Windows PowerShell background jobs, see about_Jobs.
-CimSession
Runs the cmdlet in a remote session or on a remote computer. Enter a computer name or a session object, such as the output of a New-CimSession or Get-CimSession cmdlet. The default is the current session on the local computer.
-ComputerName
Specifies the DNS server. The cmdlet adds the forwarder to this server. If you do not specify this parameter, the command runs on the local system. You can specify an IP address or any value that resolves to an IP address, such as a fully qualified domain name (FQDN), host name, or NETBIOS name.
-Confirm
Prompts you for confirmation before running the cmdlet.
-DirectoryPartitionName
Specifies a directory partition on which to store the forwarder. Conditional forwarders are internally stored as zones. Use this parameter when the *ReplicationScope* parameter has a value of Custom.
-ForwarderTimeout
Specifies a length of time, in seconds, that a DNS server waits for a master server to resolve a query. If a server does not resolve the request, the next server in the list is queried until all master servers are queried. After this period, the DNS server can attempt to resolve the query itself. This parameter applies only to the forwarder zone. The minimum value is 0. The maximum value is 15.
-LoadExisting
Indicates that the server loads existing data for the forwarder from the registry. Conditional forwarders are internally stored as zones. This parameter is not valid for Active Directory-integrated zones.
-MasterServers (required)
Specifies an array of IP addresses of the master servers of the zone. DNS queries for a forwarded zone are sent to master servers. You can use both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. You must specify at least one master server.
-Name (required)
Specifies the name of a zone. The cmdlet adds a conditional forwarder for this zone.
-PassThru
Returns an object representing the item with which you are working. By default, this cmdlet does not generate any output.
-ReplicationScope
Specifies the replication scope for the conditional forwarder. Conditional forwarders are stored internally as zones. The acceptable values for this parameter are: - Custom. Replicate the conditional forwarder to all DNS servers running on domain controllers enlisted in a custom directory partition. - Domain. Replicate the conditional forwarder to all DNS servers that run on domain controllers in the domain. - Forest. Replicate the conditional forwarder to all DNS servers that run on domain controllers in the forest. - Legacy. Replicate the conditional forwarder to all domain controllers in the domain.
-ThrottleLimit
Specifies the maximum number of concurrent operations that can be established to run the cmdlet. If this parameter is omitted or a value of 0 is entered, then Windows PowerShell® calculates an optimum throttle limit for the cmdlet based on the number of CIM cmdlets that are running on the computer. The throttle limit applies only to the current cmdlet, not to the session or to the computer.
-UseRecursion
Specifies whether a DNS server attempts to resolve a query after the forwarder fails to resolve it. A value of $False prevents a DNS server from attempting resolution using other DNS servers. This parameter overrides the Use Recursion setting for a DNS server.
-WhatIf
Shows what would happen if the cmdlet runs. The cmdlet is not run.
Prerequisites
Windows with the DnsServer module and the Windows feature or management tools that provide it. Confirm target connectivity and version compatibility using the linked Microsoft reference.
Security considerations
This cmdlet changes system state. Review every target and parameter in the official reference, test outside production, and prepare an appropriate backup or rollback. Do not execute the example automatically.
Examples
Example 1: Create a non-Active Directory-integrated forwarder
This command creates a conditional forwarder zone called contoso.com. The entries are stored in the registry. The command includes IP addresses for one or more master DNS servers. The command uses the *PassThru* parameter. Source: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; transcript prompt/output removed. This example was not executed.