Networking / Security · Risk: High · Documentation Verified
Last verified: 2026-10-26
Microsoft DnsServer reference: Adds a primary zone 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-DnsServerPrimaryZone. 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 a DNS 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 zone. Use this parameter when the *ReplicationScope* parameter has a value of Custom.
-DynamicUpdate
Specifies how a zone accepts dynamic updates. The acceptable values for this parameter are: - None - Secure - NonsecureAndSecure Secure DNS updates are available only for Active Directory-integrated zones.
-LoadExisting
Indicates that the server loads an existing file for the zone. Otherwise, the cmdlet creates default zone records automatically. This switch is relevant only for file-backed zones.
-Name (required)
Specifies a name for the zone the cmdlet creates.
-NetworkId (required)
Specifies a network ID and prefix length for a reverse lookup zone. Use the format A.B.C.D/prefix for IPv4 or 1111:2222:3333:4444::/prefix for IPv6. For IPv4, the cmdlet creates only class A, B, C, or D reverse lookup zones. If you specify a prefix that is between classes, the cmdlet uses the longer prefix that is divisible by 8. For example, a value of 10.2.10.0/23 adds the 10.2.10.0/24 reverse lookup zone, and the 10.2.11.0/24 reverse lookup zone is not created. If you enter an IPv4 prefix longer than /24, the cmdlet creates a /32 reverse lookup zone. For IPv6, the cmdlet creates ip6.arpa zones for prefixes from /16 to /128 that are divisible by 4. If you specify a prefix that is between values, the cmdlet uses the longer prefix that is divisible by 4. For example, entering a value of AAAA::/58 adds the AAAA::/60 ip6.arpa zone. If you do not enter a prefix, the cmdlet uses a default prefix value of /128.
-PassThru
Returns an object representing the item with which you are working. By default, this cmdlet does not generate any output.
-ReplicationScope (required)
Specifies a partition on which to store an Active Directory-integrated zone. The acceptable values for this parameter are: - Custom. Any custom directory partition that a user creates. Specify a custom directory partition by using the *DirectoryPartitionName* parameter. - Domain. The domain directory partition. - Forest. The ForestDnsZone directory partition. - Legacy. A legacy directory partition.
-ResponsiblePerson
Specifies a person responsible for the zone.
-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.
-VirtualizationInstance
Specifies the virtualization instance in which the zone will be added. A virtualization instance is logical partition in a DNS Server, which is capable of independently hosting zones and zone scopes. Same name zones and zone scopes can be hosted in different virtualization instances. This parameter is optional and if not provided it will add the zone into the default virtualization instance which is functionally equivalent to a standard DNS server.
-WhatIf
Shows what would happen if the cmdlet runs. The cmdlet is not run.
-ZoneFile (required)
Specifies a name of the zone file. This parameter is only relevant for file-backed DNS.
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.
This command creates an Active Directory-integrated forward lookup zone called west01.contoso.com with Forest-wide replication scope. Source: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; transcript prompt/output removed. This example was not executed.