# 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:
    
    
    - <span class="code" spellcheck="false">nltest /dsgetdc:domainname</span>

### 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:
    
    
    - <span class="code" spellcheck="false">nltest /Server:ClientComputerName /SC\_RESET:DomainName\\DomainControllerName</span>

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/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)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-r2-and-2012/cc731935(v=ws.11))