Windows - How to Switch Domain Controller

Find Current Domain Controller

You can grab the domain controller that the computer is currently connected to with these steps:

1. Select the “Start” button.

2. Type “CMD“.

3. Hold “Shift” and right-click “Command Prompt“.

4. Select “Run as different user“.

5. Type credentials for a Domain Admin user account.

6. At the Command Prompt, type:

   • nltest /dsgetdc:domainname

Switch Domain Controller Command

Actually switch the domain controller computer is using with these steps.

1. Select the “Start” button.

2. Type “CMD“.

3. Hold “Shift” and right-click “Command Prompt“.

4. Select “Run as different user“.

5. Type credentials for a Domain Admin user account.

6. At the command prompt, type:

   • nltest /Server:ClientComputerName /SC_RESET:DomainName\DomainControllerName

Note: This option is not permanent, as a restart of the computer may grab a different DC.

Set Domain Controller Via Registry

1. Hold the Windows Key and press “R” to bring up the Windows Run dialog.

2. Type “Regedit“, then press “Enter“.

3. Navigate to:

   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

   • SYSTEM

   • CurrentControlSet

   • Services

   • Netlogon

   • Parameters

4. Create a String value called “SiteName“, and set it to the name of the Active Directory site whose domain controllers the computer should use (e.g. Default-First-Site-Name). This value sets the site, not a specific domain controller.

To point the secure channel at one specific domain controller instead, use nltest /sc_reset:domain.com\DC1.

Last verified: October 2026

Sources:

• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/active-directory/how-domain-controllers-are-located
• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-r2-and-2012/cc731935(v=ws.11)