Performs prerequisite checks for cloning a domain controller and generates a clone configuration file if all checks succeed.
Active Directory · Risk: High · Documentation Verified
Last verified: 2026-10-26
Microsoft ActiveDirectory reference: Performs prerequisite checks for cloning a domain controller and generates a clone configuration file if all checks succeed. 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 New-ADDCCloneConfigFile. Modifying administrative cmdlets may require elevation or delegated administration. This catalog does not assert that ordinary users can execute the command.
Supported environments
Windows / ActiveDirectory · Windows Server 2025 documentation; feature/module prerequisites apply
Parameters
-AlternateWINSServer
Specifies the name of the alternate Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS) server for the cloned domain controller to use if the preferred WINS Server is not available.
-CloneComputerName
Specifies the computer name for the cloned domain controller. If this parameter is not specified as a unique name within the enterprise of 15 characters or less, the following formula is used to programmatically generate a name: - The first eight characters of the source domain controller computer name. For instance, a source computer name of SourceComputer is truncated to a prefix string of SourceCo. - A unique naming suffix of the format -CLnnnn is appended to the prefix string where nnnn is the next available value from 0001-9999 that the primary domain controller (PDC) determines is not currently in use. For example, if 0047 is the next available number within the allowed range, using the above source computer prefix of SourceCo the derived name to use for the clone computer will be SourceCo-CL0047.
-IPv4Address (required)
Specifies the Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) address to be assigned to the cloned domain controller.
-IPv4DNSResolver (required)
Specifies the Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) address for the DNS server to be used by the cloned domain controller to resolve names. A maximum of four string values can be provided.
-IPv4DefaultGateway
Specifies the Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) address for the default gateway to be used by the cloned domain controller.
-IPv4SubnetMask (required)
Specifies the Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) subnet mask to use for the subnet where the cloned domain controller is to be located.
-IPv6DNSResolver (required)
Specifies the Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) address for the DNS server to be used by the cloned domain controller to resolve names.
-Offline (required)
Indicates whether the cmdlet is being run against an offline media or on the domain controller being prepared for cloning.
-Path (required)
Specifies the folder path to use when writing the clone configuration file. If the cmdlet is run and all prerequisite checks succeed, a DCCloneConfig.xml file will be written and appear in this location as output. The *Path* parameter is optional when running the cmdlet on the domain controller being prepared for cloning. In this case, the default location of the DIT folder will be used and this parameter does not need to be specified. When running the New-ADCCLoneConfigFile cmdlet in offline mode (i.e. when the *Offline* parameter is specified), however, the *Path* parameter is required.
-PreferredWINSServer
Specifies the name of the primary Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS) server to use as the preferred WINS Server for the cloned domain controller.
-SiteName
Specifies the name of the Active Directory site in which to place the cloned domain controller.
-Static (required)
Indicates whether the TCP/IP configuration specified for the cloned domain controller is static or dynamic IP configuration.
Prerequisites
Windows with the ActiveDirectory 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 clone domain controller with a static IPv4 address
This command creates a clone domain controller named VirtualDC2 with a static IPv4 address. Source: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; transcript prompt/output removed. This example was not executed.