Migrate SYSVOL from FRS to DFS

Question

I'm in the process of migrating a 2012 Standard server to a 2022 server and got the following error when promoting the 2022 server, "Still using FRS which is deprecated, you must migrate SYSVOL to DFS Replication".

Found instructions here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/dfs-replication/migrate-sysvol-to-dfsr?redirectedfrom=MSDN

Anyway, before I embark on this has anybody done it on a 2012 DC and had problems? Also, I have no idea why 2012 is using FRS as in the above article they say 2008 and above went to DFS. I did migrate the 2012 server 11 years ago from something else, I don't remember what, so that might be why. I suppose it doesn't matter as it is FRS now so I need to deal with it.

Answer 1

Beginning with 2008 a new domain by default would use DFSR so it's likely this domain has migrated from 2003 (or earlier) Just make sure domain health is 100% before beginning below and you'll have no problems.

The two prerequisites to introducing the first 2019 or 2022 domain controller are that domain functional level needs to be 2008 or higher and older sysvol FRS replication needs to have been migrated to DFSR

I'd use dcdiag / repadmin tools to verify health correcting all errors found before starting any operations. Then stand up the new 2019 or 2022, patch it fully, license it, join existing domain, add active directory domain services, promote it also making it a GC (recommended), transfer FSMO roles over (optional), transfer pdc emulator role (optional), use dcdiag / repadmin tools to again verify health, when all is good you can decommission / demote old one.

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

Answer 2

Hello Jim,

Thank you for posting in our Q&A forum.

Only later Microsoft change SYSVOL replication from FRS to DFSR with Windows Server 2008. But you may just keep using FRS because at that time there was no real pressure to rush and change to DFSR. As Dave Patrick mentioned, your domain and the DCs within this domain should be migrated from Windows Server 2003 or earlier version.

You can also confirm the SYSVOL is using FRS via registry below:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\DFSR\Parameters\SysVols\Migrating Sysvols\LocalState registry subkey. If this registry subkey exists and its value is set to 3 (ELIMINATED), DFSR is being used. If the subkey does not exist, or if it has a different value, FRS is being used.

Here are other links about migration steps from FRS to DFSR for your references.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/qzaidi/quickly-explained-migrate-your-sysvol-replication-from-frs-to-dfsr

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/storage-at-microsoft/streamlined-migration-of-frs-to-dfsr-sysvol/ba-p/425405

Hope the information above is helpful. If you have any question or concern, please feel free to let us know.

Best Regards,
Daisy Zhou

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