A. A. If you just want to replace the PDC of a domain with a new machine, the easiest way is to install the new machine as a BDC and then promote to the PDC which removes the need of adding/removing users.
If you actually want to merge two domains or just move some accounts the procedure below should help. You will need the resource kit utility addusers.exe
- Log on as an Administrator on the machine that has the accounts you wish to move
- Run the command
addusers /d <file name>
This will create a comma separated file with details of all accounts and groups. - You don't want the information about global or local groups (such as Administrators etc) so edit the file and remove the \[Global\] and \[Local\] sections and their content.
- Copy the file to the machine you want to create the accounts on or a network drive
- Log on as an Administrator on the machine that the accounts should be added, if a domain, log on to the PDC
- Run the command
addusers /c <file name>
This will read in the file and create the accounts - You could then delete the accounts of off the original machine using
addusers /e <file name>
New versions of the addusers.exe utility add support so users don't have to change their passwords, e.g.
l Users do not have to change passwords at next logon.<br>
c Users cannot change passwords.<br>
e Passwords never expire. (implies l option)<br>
d Accounts disabled.
So, 'addusers /e <filename> /p:l' would mean the users don't have to change the passwords.
