Move User from One Domain to Another AD Domain Quickly

Active directory (AD) user migration from one domain to another domain is a critical process. It requires complete migration of all resources along with user profile to another domain. This post will guide you step by step process to migrate user from one domain to another domain.

A well-executed migration process is required to move users from one domain to another and it ensures smooth transition and minimal disturbance in usual process. Every user in Active Directory is assigned multiple resources. Every process that a user commit requires multiple resources to work at same time.

So, while migration user from one domain to another, make sure to transfer all resources with all rights. It seems confusing? Don’t worry will walk you through all steps in simple way.

Let us first understand some important facts!

What is Active Directory (AD)?

Microsoft created Active Directory (AD) service for Windows-based networks. It acts as central resource that manages network resources including: users, computers, groups, printers, apps, and other network objects.

What is User in Active Directory?

User in active directory is a principal object that represents a person who has rights to access the resources with in the same network. It is associated with unique identity with permissions to access network resources.

Reasons for Moving Users to Another Domain

There are various reasons for migrating user from one domain to another. Few of them are listed below, let us have a look.

• Domain Name Change
• Security and Isolation
• Performance and scalability
• Domain Consolidation
• Reorganization or Restructuring
• Geographical Expansion
• Renaming Conflicts
• Separation of Environments

Make Sure to Check Pre-migration Requirements

Before jumping into migration process of AD user from one domain to another domain. Let’s first understand some pre-migration concerns that need to be followed. It ensures safe and secure migration without any limitation.

• User Audit: Check the user information and plan accordingly, check following: User accounts, data in source domain, and user permissions.
• Objective of Migration: User migration from one domain to other requires capital investment and work flow breakdown for certain time. So, migration objective should be clear before stepping in.
• Internal Communication: Involve departments and discuss all points that needs to be focus during user migration.
• Migration Timeline: Set a timeline to complete the migration of users to another domain.
• User Migration Strategy: There are multiple ways to move users from one domain to another. But you need to choose best one for smooth and secure migration.

Methods to Move Users from One Domain to Another

Multiple methods are available to migrate users to another domain. All the methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. In this post I will explain two different methods, you can follow any of them:

1. Third-Party Tool to Migrate User from One Domain to Another
2. Move Users to Another Domain using Microsoft ADMT tool

Let us explore both the methods:

Method-1: Third-Party Software to Transfer Users to Another Domain

For smooth and secure migration process use AD Migrator Software. It allows users to migrate users from one domain to another active directory domain with all resources. The software enables multiple advance options, let us have a look:

• Move User, Groups, Computer, Contacts, Printers, etc.
• Support Migration in Multiple AD Users with Multiple Jobs
• Allows to Map User Objects Between Source and Destination AD
• Support to Migrate OU (Organizational Unit), Domain, Tree, Forest
• Generate AD User Migration Report for Migration Wise and Domain Wise

For detailed feature understanding visit AD Migrator Tool official page.

Steps to Migrate All User from One Domain to Another

Follow the instructions listed below and move all users from one domain to another domain. The software works on source and destination model.

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Step-1: Download software and install it on your own system. Launch the tool and provide default User ID and Password i.e., Administrator. It is used for just security purpose so, that only Active Directory admin can use this tool and avoid unauthorize access.

Step-2: Now you must add Domain Controller, for this click on Register Domain Controller button.

Step-3: Provide Source Domain Name and IP Address and hit Save & Continue button.

Step-4: Enter Destination Domain Name and IP Address and after that hit Save & Continue button.

Step-5: Now its time to validate Source Domain information, Click on Info in the domain detail (Admin user and Admin Password) and hit Save & continue.

Step-6: Now click on Fetch Active Directory Objects from Active Directory section. It will allow software to fetch all objects from source domain.

Step-7: Click on Destination Domain tab and provide Admin User and Admin Password after click on Info. After that hit on Save & Continue. After that click on Active Directory tab and hit Fetch Active Directory Objects.

Step-8: Now select Migration tab and Create Migration Scenario to move users from one domain to another AD domain. Here provide Scenario Name and select Source and Destination, after that hit Save & Continue.

 

Step-9: Now Create Task pop-up will appear simply select the resources that you want to migrate and click on Save & Continue.

Step-10: Now its time to map the source objects with destination domain. For this click on Three Dots under the more options in from of each object.

Step-11: Migration option window will appear, here you must choose one option either Merge or Create at the destination AD domain. After that click on Select button.

Step-12: Now its time to start the Active Directory user migration from one domain to another. Simply hit the Start button and the tool will start moving users from provides source domain to destination domain.

Success! Now you can all, users from your source domain have been migrated to destination domain. Check all users and resource and verify the migration process.

Quick Info: Check  the Best practices for Office 365 email backup.

Method-2: Use ADMT (Active Directory Management Tool) to Migrate Users for Free

Getting any thing for free always attracts, but in the bait of free we get some unusual things. ADMT is free tool can be used to migrate user from one domain to another AD domain. But before using this free method, lets first understand its limitations.

Limitations of ADMT Tool

• Read-Only Domain Controller can not be migrated
• Allows to migrate users in closed set
• Support to migrate only running domains
• Fails to migrate objects without ADMT SID history.
• Requires native permission delegation to move uses from one domain to another using ADMT tool.

Apart from these limitations the ADMT tool is helpful in many cases, So I am listing working steps here:

Steps to Move AD Users to Another Domain Using ADMT Tool

Follow the instructions and easily transfer users from one domain to another:

1. Download ADMT tool by visiting Microsoft official webpage. After that launch the tool and provide credentials.
2. Follow Actions >> User Account Migration Wizard and then hit Next button.
3. Here choose source and destination Active Directory domains and then hit Next button. After that choose the Select user from Domain option.
4. Now a new window will appear, simply hit Add button and select the users that you want to move to new domain. After that click OK button.
5. Check the selected user’s account from the main window and click Next button.
6. Now select the destination OU (Organizational Unit) and hit Next button.
7. Its time to review all settings and details, do it carefully. After that hit Finish button. ADMT will start migration all selected users form source domain to destination domains.

Conclusion

Migrating users from one domain to another domain with a secure and trusted solution can result successful migration without any limitation. In this post, I have explained two different methods for this same. You can follow the steps as per your requirement.

My recommendation is to follow the steps explained in method 1. It will help you in easy and secure migration process form Active Directory users from one domain to another domain.