Active Directory · Risk: High · Documentation Verified
Last verified: 2026-10-26
Microsoft ActiveDirectory reference: Modifies an Active Directory computer object. 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 Set-ADComputer. 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
-AccountExpirationDate
Specifies the expiration date for an account. This parameter sets the AccountExpirationDate property of an account object. The Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (LDAP) display name (ldapDisplayName) for this property is accountExpires. Use the DateTime syntax when you specify this parameter. Time is assumed to be local time unless otherwise specified. When a time value is not specified, the time is assumed to 12:00:00 AM local time. When a date is not specified, the date is assumed to be the current date.
-AccountNotDelegated
Specifies whether the security context of the user is delegated to a service. When this parameter is set to true, the security context of the account is not delegated to a service even when the service account is set as trusted for Kerberos delegation. This parameter sets the AccountNotDelegated property for an Active Directory account. This parameter also sets the ADS_UF_NOT_DELEGATED flag of the Active Directory User Account Control (UAC) attribute. The acceptable values for this parameter are: - $False or 0 - $True or 1
-Add
Specifies values to add to an object property. Use this parameter to add one or more values to a property that cannot be modified using a cmdlet parameter. To modify an object property, you must use the LDAP display name. You can specify multiple values to a property by specifying a comma-separated list of values and more than one property by separating them using a semicolon.. The format for this parameter is: -Add @{Attribute1LDAPDisplayName=value1, value2, ...; Attribute2LDAPDisplayName=value1, value2, ...; AttributeNLDAPDisplayName=value1, value2, ...} When you use the *Add*, *Replace*, *Clear*, and *Remove* parameters together, the operations are performed in the following order: - Remove - Add - Replace - Clear
-AllowReversiblePasswordEncryption
Specifies whether reversible password encryption is allowed for the account. This parameter sets the AllowReversiblePasswordEncryption property of the account. This parameter also sets the ADS_UF_ENCRYPTED_TEXT_PASSWORD_ALLOWED flag of the Active Directory User Account Control (UAC) attribute. The acceptable values for this parameter are: - $False or 0 - $True or 1
-AuthType
Specifies the authentication method to use. The acceptable values for this parameter are: - Negotiate or 0 - Basic or 1 The default authentication method is Negotiate. A Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) connection is required for the Basic authentication method.
-AuthenticationPolicy
Specifies an Active Directory Domain Services authentication policy object. Specify the authentication policy object in one of the following formats: - distinguished name - GUID - Name This parameter can also get this object through the pipeline or you can set this parameter to an object instance. The cmdlet searches the default naming context or partition to find the object. If the cmdlet finds two or more objects, the cmdlet returns a non-terminating error.
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 2: Set the location for a specified Active Directory computer
This command sets the location for the computer specified by the *Identity* parameter. Source: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; transcript prompt/output removed. This example was not executed.
Specifies an Active Directory Domain Services authentication policy silo object. Specify the authentication policy silo object in one of the following formats: - Distinguished Name - GUID - Name This parameter can also get this object through the pipeline or you can set this parameter to an object instance. The cmdlet searches the default naming context or partition to find the object. If the cmdlet finds two or more objects, the cmdlet returns a non-terminating error.
-CannotChangePassword
Specifies whether the account password can be changed. This parameter sets the CannotChangePassword property of an account. The acceptable values for this parameter are: - $False or 0 - $True or 1
-Certificates
Modifies the DER-encoded X.509v3 certificates of the account. These certificates include the public key certificates issued to this account by the Microsoft Certificate Service. This parameter sets the Certificates property of the account object. The LDAP Display Name (ldapDisplayName) for this property is userCertificate. Syntax: To add values: -Certificates @{Add=value1,value2,...} To remove values: -Certificates @{Remove=value3,value4,...} To replace values: -Certificates @{Replace=value1,value2,...} To clear all values: -Certificates $null You can specify more than one operation by using a list separated by semicolons. For example, use the following syntax to add and remove Certificate values -Certificates @{Add=value1,value2,...;Remove=value3,value4,...} The operators are applied in the following sequence: ..Remove ..Add ..Replace
-ChangePasswordAtLogon
Specifies whether a password must be changed during the next logon attempt. The acceptable values for this parameter are: - $False or 0 - $True or 1 This parameter cannot be set to $True or 1 for an account that also has the PasswordNeverExpires property set to $True.
-Clear
Specifies an array of object properties that are cleared in the directory. Use this parameter to clear one or more values of a property that cannot be modified using a cmdlet parameter. To modify an object property, you must use the LDAP display name. You can modify more than one property by specifying a comma-separated list. The format for this parameter is: -Clear Attribute1LDAPDisplayName, Attribute2LDAPDisplayName When you use the *Add*, *Replace*, *Clear*, and *Remove* parameters together, the operations are performed in the following order: - Remove - Add - Replace - Clear
-CompoundIdentitySupported
Specifies whether an account supports Kerberos service tickets which includes the authorization data for the user's device. This value sets the compound identity supported flag of the Active Directory msDS-SupportedEncryptionTypes attribute. The acceptable values for this parameter are: - $False or 0 - $True or 1 Warning: Domain-joined Windows systems and services such as clustering manage their own msDS-SupportedEncryptionTypes attribute. Therefore any changes to the flag on the msDS-SupportedEncryptionTypes attribute is overwritten by the service or system which manages the setting.
-Confirm
Prompts you for confirmation before running the cmdlet.
-Credential
Specifies the user account credentials to use to perform this task. The default credentials are the credentials of the currently logged on user unless the cmdlet is run from an Active Directory module for Windows PowerShell provider drive. If the cmdlet is run from such a provider drive, the account associated with the drive is the default. To specify this parameter, you can type a user name, such as User1 or Domain01\User01 or you can specify a PSCredential object. If you specify a user name for this parameter, the cmdlet prompts for a password. You can also create a PSCredential object by using a script or by using the Get-Credential cmdlet. You can then set the *Credential* parameter to the PSCredential object. If the acting credentials do not have directory-level permission to perform the task, Active Directory module for Windows PowerShell returns a terminating error.
-DNSHostName
Specifies the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the computer. This parameter sets the DNSHostName property for a computer object. The LDAP display name for this property is dNSHostName.
-Description
Specifies a description of the object. This parameter sets the value of the Description property for the object. The LDAP display name (ldapDisplayName) for this property is description.
-DisplayName
Specifies the display name of the object. This parameter sets the DisplayName property of the object. The LDAP display name (ldapDisplayName) for this property is displayName.
-Enabled
Specifies if an account is enabled. An enabled account requires a password. This parameter sets the Enabled property for an account object. This parameter also sets the ADS_UF_ACCOUNTDISABLE flag of the Active Directory User Account Control (UAC) attribute. The acceptable values for this parameter are: - $False or 0 - $True or 1
-HomePage
Specifies the URL of the home page of the object. This parameter sets the homePage property of an Active Directory object. The LDAP display name (ldapDisplayName) for this property is wWWHomePage.
-Identity (required)
Specifies an Active Directory computer object by providing one of the following property values. The identifier in parentheses is the LDAP display name for the attribute. The acceptable values for this parameter are: - A Distinguished Name - A GUID (objectGUID) - A Security Identifier (objectSid) - A Security Accounts Manager Account Name (sAMAccountName) The cmdlet searches the default naming context or partition to find the object. If the identifier given is a distinguished name, the partition to search is computed from that distinguished name. If two or more objects are found, the cmdlet returns a non-terminating error. This parameter can also get this object through the pipeline or you can set this parameter to a computer object instance.
-Instance (required)
Specifies a modified copy of a computer object to use to update the actual Active Directory computer object. When this parameter is used, any modifications made to the modified copy of the object are also made to the corresponding Active Directory object. The cmdlet only updates the object properties that have changed. The *Instance* parameter can only update computer objects that have been retrieved by using the Get-ADComputer cmdlet. When you specify the *Instance* parameter, you cannot specify other parameters that set properties on the object.
-KerberosEncryptionType
Specifies whether an account supports Kerberos encryption types which are used during creation of service tickets. This value sets the encryption types supported flags of the Active Directory msDS-SupportedEncryptionTypes attribute. The acceptable values for this parameter are: - None - DES - RC4 - AES128 - AES256 None will remove all encryption types from the account which may result in the Key Distribution Center (KDC) being unable to issue service tickets for services using the account. Data Encryption Standard (DES) is a weak encryption type which is not supported by default since Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. Warning: Domain-joined Windows systems and services such as clustering manage their own msDS-SupportedEncryptionTypes attribute. Therefore any changes to the flag on the msDS-SupportedEncryptionTypes attribute is overwritten by the service or system which manages the setting.
-Location
Specifies the location of the computer, such as an office number. This parameter sets the Location property of a computer. The LDAP display name (ldapDisplayName) of this property is location.
-ManagedBy
Specifies the user or group that manages the object by providing one of the following property values. Note: The identifier in parentheses is the LDAP display name for the property. The acceptable values for this parameter are: - A Distinguished Name - A GUID (objectGUID) - A Security Identifier (objectSid) - A SAM Account Name (sAMAccountName) This parameter sets the Active Directory attribute with an LDAP display name of managedBy.
-OperatingSystem
Specifies an operating system name. This parameter sets the OperatingSystem property of the computer object. The LDAP display name (ldapDisplayName) for this property is operatingSystem.
-OperatingSystemHotfix
Specifies an operating system hotfix name. This parameter sets the operatingSystemHotfix property of the computer object. The LDAP display name for this property is operatingSystemHotfix.
-OperatingSystemServicePack
Specifies the name of an operating system service pack. This parameter sets the OperatingSystemServicePack property of the computer object. The LDAP display name (ldapDisplayName) for this property is operatingSystemServicePack.
-OperatingSystemVersion
Specifies an operating system version. This parameter sets the OperatingSystemVersion property of the computer object. The LDAP display name (ldapDisplayName) for this property is operatingSystemVersion.
-Partition
Specifies the distinguished name of an Active Directory partition. The distinguished name must be one of the naming contexts on the current directory server. The cmdlet searches this partition to find the object defined by the *Identity* parameter. In many cases, a default value is used for the *Partition* parameter if no value is specified. The rules for determining the default value are given below. Note that rules listed first are evaluated first and once a default value can be determined, no further rules are evaluated. In Active Directory Domain Services environments, a default value for *Partition* is set in the following cases: - If the *Identity* parameter is set to a distinguished name, the default value of *Partition* is automatically generated from this distinguished name. - If running cmdlets from an Active Directory provider drive, the default value of *Partition* is automatically generated from the current path in the drive. - If none of the previous cases apply, the default value of *Partition* is set to the default partition or naming context of the target domain. In Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS) environments, a default value for *Partition* is set in the following cases: - If the *Identity* parameter is set to a distinguished name, the default value of *Partition* is automatically generated from this distinguished name. - If running cmdlets from an Active Directory provider drive, the default value of *Partition* is automatically generated from the current path in the drive. - If the target AD LDS instance has a default naming context, the default value of *Partition* is set to the default naming context. To specify a default naming context for an AD LDS environment, set the msDS-defaultNamingContext property of the Active Directory directory service agent (DSA) object (nTDSDSA) for the AD LDS instance. - If none of the prev
-PassThru
Returns an object representing the item with which you are working. By default, this cmdlet does not generate any output.
-PasswordNeverExpires
Specifies whether the password of an account can expire. This parameter sets the PasswordNeverExpires property of an account object. This parameter also sets the ADS_UF_DONT_EXPIRE_PASSWD flag of the Active Directory User Account Control attribute. The acceptable values for this parameter are: - $False or 0 - $True or 1 Note: This parameter cannot be set to $True or 1 for an account that also has the ChangePasswordAtLogon property set to &True.
-PasswordNotRequired
Specifies whether the account requires a password. This parameter sets the PasswordNotRequired property of an account, such as a user or computer account. This parameter also sets the ADS_UF_PASSWD_NOTREQD flag of the Active Directory User Account Control attribute. The acceptable values for this parameter are: - $False or 0 - $True or 1
-PrincipalsAllowedToDelegateToAccount
Specifies the accounts which can act on the behalf of users to services running as this computer account. This parameter sets the msDS-AllowedToActOnBehalfOfOtherIdentity attribute of a computer account object. Running Set-ADComputer without specifying the first principal will cause it to get overridden
-Remove
Specifies that the cmdlet remove values of an object property. Use this parameter to remove one or more values of a property that cannot be modified using a cmdlet parameter. To remove an object property, you must use the LDAP display name. You can remove more than one property by specifying a semicolon-separated list. The format for this parameter is: -Remove @{Attribute1LDAPDisplayName=value[]; Attribute2LDAPDisplayName=value[]} When you use the *Add*, *Replace*, *Clear*, and *Remove* parameters together, the parameters are applied in the following sequence: - Remove - Add - Replace - Clear
-Replace
Specifies values for an object property that will replace the current values. Use this parameter to replace one or more values of a property that cannot be modified using a cmdlet parameter. To modify an object property, you must use the LDAP display name. You can specify multiple values to a property by specifying a comma-separated list of values, and more than one property by separating them using a semicolon. The format for this parameter is: -Replace @{Attribute1LDAPDisplayName=value1, value2, ...; Attribute2LDAPDisplayName=value1, value2, ...; AttributeNLDAPDisplayName=value1, value2, ...} When you use the *Add*, *Remove*, *Replace*, and *Clear* parameters together, the operations will be performed in the following order: - Remove - Add - Replace - Clear
-SAMAccountName
Specifies the Security Account Manager (SAM) account name of the user, group, computer, or service account. The maximum length of the description is 256 characters. To be compatible with older operating systems, create a SAM account name that is 20 characters or less. This parameter sets the SAMAccountName for an account object. The LDAP display name (ldapDisplayName) for this property is sAMAccountName. Note: If the string value provided is not terminated with a $ character, the system adds one if needed.
-Server
Specifies the Active Directory Domain Services instance to connect to, by providing one of the following values for a corresponding domain name or directory server. The service may be any of the following: Active Directory Lightweight Domain Services, Active Directory Domain Services, or Active Directory snapshot instance. Specify the Active Directory Domain Services instance in one of the following ways: Domain name values: - Fully qualified domain name - NetBIOS name Directory server values: - Fully qualified directory server name - NetBIOS name - Fully qualified directory server name and port The default value for this parameter is determined by one of the following methods in the order that they are listed: - By using the *Server* value from objects passed through the pipeline - By using the server information associated with the Active Directory Domain Services Windows PowerShell provider drive, when the cmdlet runs in that drive - By using the domain of the computer running Windows PowerShell
-ServicePrincipalNames
Specifies the service principal names for the account. This parameter sets the ServicePrincipalNames property of the account. The LDAP display name (ldapDisplayName) for this property is servicePrincipalName. This parameter uses the following syntax to add remove, replace or clear service principal name values: Syntax: To add values: -ServicePrincipalNames @{Add=value1,value2,...} To remove values: -ServicePrincipalNames @{Remove=value3,value4,...} To replace values: -ServicePrincipalNames @{Replace=value1,value2,...} To clear all values: -ServicePrincipalNames $null You can specify more than one change by using a list separated by semicolons. For example, use the following syntax to add and remove service principal names. @{Add=value1,value2,...;Remove=value3,value4,...} The operators are applied in the following sequence: ..Remove ..Add ..Replace The following example shows how to add and remove service principal names. -ServicePrincipalNames @{Add="SQLservice/accounting.corp.contoso.com:1456";Remove="SQLservice/finance.corp.contoso.com:1456"}
-TrustedForDelegation
Specifies whether an account is trusted for Kerberos delegation. A service that runs under an account that is trusted for Kerberos delegation can assume the identity of a client requesting the service. This parameter sets the TrustedForDelegation property of an account object. This value also sets the ADS_UF_TRUSTED_FOR_DELEGATION flag of the Active Directory User Account Control attribute. The acceptable values for this parameter are: - $False or 0 - $True or 1
-UserPrincipalName
Specifies a user principal name (UPN) in the format @. A user principal name (UPN) is a friendly name assigned by an administrator that is shorter than the LDAP distinguished name used by the system and easier to remember. The UPN is independent of the user object's distinguished name, so a user object can be moved or renamed without affecting the user logon name. When logging on using a UPN, users no longer have to choose a domain from a list on the logon dialog box.
-WhatIf
Shows what would happen if the cmdlet runs. The cmdlet is not run.