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Get-ADDomain

Use Get-ADDomain to return information about an Active Directory domain, including its FSMO role holders and naming contexts.

Command 2 min read Windows PowerShell 5.1 and PowerShell 7

Documentation: Microsoft Learn — Get-ADDomain

Written and tested by Dhrub Bharali · Updated

Syntax

1PS> Get-ADDomain [-Identity] <ADDomain> [-Current <ADCurrentDomainType>] [-Server <String>] [-Credential <PSCredential>] [<CommonParameters>]
See the command anatomy

Read the command and its supplied arguments. This example requires real PowerShell or its module; this diagram does not execute it.

Get-ADDomain [-Identity] <ADDomain> [-Current <ADCurrentDomainType>] [-Server <String>] [-Credential <PSCredential>] [<CommonParameters>]
  1. Stage 1Get-ADDomain-Identity -Current -Server -Credential

    Try it

    Windows PowerShell

    PowerShell example · browser support is limited.

    Execution scope: The full example below requires PowerShell outside this browser. You can edit this runner to use the supported practice commands; unsupported syntax returns an explanation.

    Interactive simulation · fictional data

    Examples

    Select DNSRoot, NetBIOSName, DomainMode, DistinguishedName

    1PS> Get-ADDomain | Select-Object DNSRoot, NetBIOSName, DomainMode, DistinguishedName
    Show reference output

    Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing

    DNSRoot     NetBIOSName  DomainMode          DistinguishedName
-------     -----------  ----------          -----------------
corp.local  CORP         Windows2016Domain   DC=corp,DC=local

    Select PDCEmulator, RIDMaster, InfrastructureMaster

    1PS> Get-ADDomain | Select-Object PDCEmulator, RIDMaster, InfrastructureMaster
    Show reference output

    Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing

    PDCEmulator       RIDMaster          InfrastructureMaster
-----------       ---------          --------------------
DC01.corp.local   DC01.corp.local    DC02.corp.local

    Select ComputersContainer, UsersContainer

    1PS> Get-ADDomain | Select-Object ComputersContainer, UsersContainer
    Show reference output

    Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing

    ComputersContainer                    UsersContainer
------------------                    --------------
CN=Computers,DC=corp,DC=local          CN=Users,DC=corp,DC=local

    Parameters

    Parameter definitions:

    • -Identity
    • -Current
    • -Server
    • -Credential

    Get-ADDomain on Microsoft Learn

    Practical use and troubleshooting

    Practical scenario: Use Get-ADDomain when you need to return information about an Active Directory domain, including its FSMO role holders and naming contexts. Start with one identified target and inspect the returned values before extending the operation to a list. Keep the identity in your report so you can trace each result back to the object or path that produced it.

    Common error and fix: An unexpected domain can be selected by the current context. Specify the intended identity or server and inspect the returned DNSRoot before acting on the result. In an unattended script, capture this failure with its original error record and record which target failed. An empty result and an unsuccessful query must remain distinguishable in the final report.

    See also: Get-ADForest. Get-ADDomain describes a domain; Get-ADForest describes the forest and its domains. Domain-level settings and forest-level role holders are different scopes. Read the linked command before substituting it; similar names do not imply identical inputs or output.

    Get-ADDomain reference on Microsoft Learn

    Recap

    Get-ADDomain Use Get-ADDomain to return information about an Active Directory domain, including its FSMO role holders and naming contexts.

    Next: Get-ADForest
    Genie guideGet-ADDomain

    Use Get-ADDomain to return information about an Active Directory domain, including its FSMO role holders and naming contexts. The console below is pre-loaded — run it, then change a value and run it again.

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