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Import-DhcpServer

Imports the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server service configuration, and optionally lease data, from a file.

Networking / Security · Risk: High · Documentation Verified

Last verified: 2026-10-26

Microsoft DhcpServer reference: Imports the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server service configuration, and optionally lease data, from a file. 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.

Import-DhcpServer [-File] <String> [-BackupPath] <String> [-ScopeId <IPAddress[]>] [-Prefix <IPAddress[]>]
 [-ScopeOverwrite] [-Leases] [-ServerConfigOnly] [-Force] [-ComputerName <String>] [-CimSession <CimSession>]
 [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [<CommonParameters>]

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Required permissions

Use an account with the target resource permissions documented for Import-DhcpServer. Modifying administrative cmdlets may require elevation or delegated administration. This catalog does not assert that ordinary users can execute the command.

Supported environments

Windows / DhcpServer · Windows Server 2025 documentation; feature/module prerequisites apply

Parameters

-BackupPath (required): Specifies the path where DHCP server database is backed up before it makes any configuration changes as part of the import operation.
-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 name, or IPv4 or IPv6 address, of the target computer that runs the DHCP server service.
-Confirm: Prompts you for confirmation before running the cmdlet.
-File (required): Specifies the name of the file from which the data is imported. If a complete file path is not specified, the file is read from the current working directory.
-Force: Forces the command to run without asking for user confirmation.
-Leases: Specifies that the lease data is also imported.
-Prefix: Specifies the subnet prefixes of IPv6 scopes which are imported.
-ScopeId: Specifies the scope identifiers (IDs), in IPv4 address format, which must be imported.
-ScopeOverwrite: Specifies that, if the scope being imported exists on the target server, the scope on the destination DHCP server service are overwritten. If this parameter is not specified and the scope being imported exists on the destination DHCP server service, a warning message is displayed and import will proceed to process the next scope being imported.
-ServerConfigOnly: Specifies that only server level configuration is imported on the destination DHCP server service. If the file specified contains any scope information, the same is not imported on the destination DHCP server service. Both DHCPv4 and DHCPv6 server level configurations is imported. The server level configuration includes of (both v4 and v6): - Class definitions. - Option definitions. - Option values. - Server level Policies (DHCPv4). - MAC address filters (DHCPv4). - Other Server Properties (ConflictDetectionAttempts, DHCPv6 stateless store).
-WhatIf: Shows what would happen if the cmdlet runs. The cmdlet is not run.

Prerequisites

Windows with the DhcpServer 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: Import configuration data

Import-DhcpServer -ComputerName "dhcpserver.contoso.com" -File "C:\exports\dhcpexport.xml" -BackupPath "C:\dhcpbackup\"

This example imports the configuration data in the specified file onto the DHCP server service that runs on the computer named dhcpserver.contoso.com. The file can contain DHCPv4 and DHCPv6 configuration data. Source: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; transcript prompt/output removed. This example was not executed.

Sources

https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-powershell-docs/blob/b7645dd8c687139b28e845119da30ec670526507/docset/winserver2025-ps/DhcpServer/Import-DhcpServer.md

https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/dhcpserver/import-dhcpserver?view=windowsserver2025-ps

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