Active Directory is one of the most essential components of the Windows Server operating system. It acts as a central database that stores information about all the resources, including users, groups, and computers in a network. Unfortunately, sometimes, objects from Active Directory can get deleted erroneously, resulting in a lot of headaches for administrators. When this happens, it’s crucial to have a plan in place to recover the deleted object. In this blog post, we will take you through several steps on how to recover deleted objects in Active Directory in the event they get accidentally removed.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Learn How to Recover Deleted Objects in Active Directory
There are several reasons why it’s important to learn how to recover deleted objects in Active Directory. One of the main reasons is human errors. Unfortunately, humans are prone to make mistakes, and some administrators might accidentally delete objects from the Active Directory. Additionally, some malware might also delete or modify objects in Active Directory, which can cause a lot of damage. Luckily, with the right steps and tools, we can recover deleted objects in Active Directory.
Method 1: Restoring from Active Directory Recycle Bin
One of the easiest methods to recover deleted objects in Active Directory is by restoring them from the Active Directory Recycle Bin. Introduced in Windows Server 2008 R2, the Active Directory Recycle Bin feature can recover deleted objects without using a backup. However, there are some prerequisites that you need to meet before you can use this feature.
Prerequisites:
– The domain functional level has to be at least Windows Server 2008 R2.
– The forest functional level has to be at least Windows Server 2008 R2.
– The Recycle Bin feature must be enabled before an object is deleted.
Steps:
1. Open Active Directory Users and Computers.
2. Click on the domain name.
3. Switch to "View" tab, then select "Show Deleted Objects."
4. Locate the deleted object you want to restore and right-click it.
5. Click on "Restore Object" to restore the object to its original container.
6. Once the object is restored, you can move it back to its original location if needed.
Pros:
– No need to use a backup.
– Can be done from a familiar interface.
Cons:
– The domain and forest functional levels have to be at least Windows Server 2008 R2.
– The Recycle Bin feature must be enabled before the object is deleted.
Method 2: Using Ldp.exe
If you cannot use the Active Directory Recycle Bin feature, another method to recover deleted objects in Active Directory is by using the Ldp.exe tool. The Ldp.exe tool is available in the Support Tools folder on the Windows server installation disk.
Steps:
1. Launch Ldp.exe.
2. Click on "Connection," then "Connect."
3. Enter the domain controller’s name or IP address.
4. Choose the appropriate port number and click on "OK."
5. Click on "Connection," then "Bind."
6. Enter administrator credentials and click on "OK."
7. Click on "Options," then "Controls."
8. Enable the "Show Deletions" checkbox and click on "OK."
9. Click on the "Browse" menu, then "Search."
10. Enter the distinguished name of the deleted object in the "Base DN" box.
11. Enter "(objectclass=*)" in the "Filter" box.
12. Select "Subtree" in the "Scope" box.
13. Click on "Run."
14. Locate the deleted object in the search results.
15. Right-click on the object and select "Modify."
16. Change the value of the "isDeleted" attribute from "TRUE" to "FALSE."
17. Click on "Enter."
18. Close Ldp.exe.
Pros:
– No need to use a backup.
– Can recover deleted objects without enabling Recycle Bin feature.
Cons:
– Using Ldp.exe can be complicated for some administrators who are not familiar with it.
– Can modify other attributes if not careful.
Method 3: Restoring from Backup
Another method to recover deleted objects in Active Directory is restoring from a backup. This method requires that you have a backup of the Active Directory in which the deleted object existed.
Steps:
1. Launch Windows Server Backup.
2. Click on "Recover."
3. Select the appropriate backup and click on "Next."
4. Choose "Applications" as the recovery type and click on "Next."
5. Select "Active Directory" from the list of applications and click on "Next."
6. Choose the recovery location for the restored objects and click on "Next."
7. Select the type of recovery and click on "Next."
8. If prompted, enter restoration settings and click on "Next."
9. Click on "Recover" to start the recovery process.
Pros:
– Can recover deleted objects even if Recycle Bin is not enabled.
– Can recover objects from older backups.
Cons:
– Can be time-consuming depending on the size of the Active Directory.
– The restored objects will overwrite any changes made since the backup was taken.
What to Do If You Can’t Recover Deleted Objects in Active Directory
If the above methods don’t work, you can still recover deleted objects in Active Directory using third-party tools. Several third-party tools provide advanced features for restoring deleted objects in Active Directory. Some popular options include ActiveRecovery and Netwrix Auditor.
Bonus Tip
To prevent accidental deletion of Active Directory objects, you can enable the "Protect from Accidental Deletion" option. This will ensure that only authorized users can delete the protected objects.
5 FAQs
Q1: Can I recover deleted objects in Active Directory if Recycle Bin is disabled?
A: Yes, you can still recover deleted objects using Ldp.exe or by restoring from a backup.
Q2: Can I recover deleted objects in Active Directory even if they were deleted a long time ago?
A: Yes, you can restore objects from backups.
Q3: Can I recover deleted objects in Active Directory without administrator privileges?
A: No, you need administrative privileges to recover deleted objects.
Q4: Can I recover deleted objects in Active Directory if the domain and forest functional levels are not at least Windows Server 2008 R2?
A: No, you can’t use Recycle Bin to recover deleted objects.
Q5: Can I recover deleted objects in Active Directory by restoring a Domain Controller to a previous state?
A: No, you can’t restore a Domain Controller to a previous state. This will cause a lot of replication issues and can damage the Active Directory database.
Final Thoughts
Active Directory is an essential component of any Windows Server environment. It stores information about users, groups, and computers in a network. Unfortunately, accidents do happen, and objects in Active Directory can get deleted. However, with the right steps and tools, we can recover deleted objects in Active Directory, which can help prevent a lot of headaches for administrators. With the three methods outlined in this blog post, you can recover deleted objects in Active Directory effectively.