UMove

Overview

UMove for Active Directory

UMove is the only software utility that can restore or copy the Active Directory files from a crashed computer.

Replace a failed computer? Not Possible
Clone Active Directory for test? Not Possible
Restore only Active Directory? Not Possible
With UMove All Possible

With UMove you can move or clone Active Directory to a new computer quickly and easily.

And UMove can move Microsoft Exchange, Internet Information Services (IIS), and other AD-integrated applications.

Do Not Make a Mistake

If your last domain controller crashes you are in trouble. You cannot simply move Active Directory to a different computer. The only method Microsoft provides is to restore the entire operating system (OS) onto an identical computer: One that has the same type of motherboard, CPU, network interface, and disk controller. You must reload the whole operating system as-is, and any bugs or viruses will be carried over (Q249694).

With UMove you can

Recover AD from a dead computer: Restore AD even if your computer will not boot.
Load only AD: Load only the AD files, not the whole OS.
Load a damaged backup: Load AD from a damaged .BKF file or tape.
Do a planned upgrade: Do a clean upgrade to a faster replacement computer.
Recover from disaster: Quickly restore an entire Active Directory forest after a disaster.
Clone AD for testing: Copy AD to a test computer or virtual machine in your lab.
Move applications such as Exchange and IIS.

How It Works

UMove works by moving the Active Directory database and associated security settings to the new computer.

When used on the same computer it restores the data files associated with AD, not the whole OS (aka the “System State”).

For technical details see What Does UMove Do?

Benefits

Move Active Directory to new computer hardware.
Restore Active Directory without reloading the whole operating system.
Restore Active Directory from a dead computer.
Run only one domain controller without fear of losing the whole domain.
Recover AD from a damaged .BKF file or tape.
Clone Active Directory to your lab for testing.

Requirements

To use UMove your computer must be running one of the following operating systems:

Windows 2000 Server
Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2003 Release 2 (R2)
Windows Server 2003 (x64 bit)

Service Packs

UMove is compatible with all Service Packs for Windows 2003. Windows 2000 requires Service Pack 3 or later.

Editions

UMove is compatible with the Small Business, Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter editions of the above operating systems.

Languages

UMove is compatible with all language editions of the above operating systems. This includes CJK (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) languages. UMove displays text in English.

Same Operating System

The source computer must be running the same operating system and the same service pack as the destination computer.

For example, if the source computer is running Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1, then the destination computer must also be running Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1.

To determine the operating system and service pack, right-click on My Computer and select Properties. Then click on the tab General.

Or click on Start -> Control Panel -> System. Then click on the tab General.

UMove will warn you if the computers are not compatible with each other.