# Reset both sides of trust credentials in recovery order > Use AD Forest Recovery - Resetting a trust password to review this narrow operational decision without extending the source beyond its stated scope. - Canonical URL: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/reset-both-sides-of-trust-credentials-in-order/ - Publisher: Detection Systems & Engineering (DSE Security) - Author: DSE Security Editorial Team - Published: 2026-08-27T12:14:22+00:00 - Modified: 2026-08-27T12:58:58+00:00 - Last reviewed by DSE: 2026-08-26 - Resource type: Guide - DSE priority: Advisory - Topics: Business Continuity, IT, Microsoft 365 & Identity - Reading time: 3 minutes ## What you need to know Use AD Forest Recovery - Resetting a trust password to review this narrow operational decision without extending the source beyond its stated scope. ## Potentially affected Teams, systems, services, or facilities within the stated scope of AD Forest Recovery - Resetting a trust password ## DSE recommendation Compare the observed state with the cited official source, document applicability and exceptions, and test any approved change with rollback safeguards. ## Article Use this document to connect an official requirement or behavior to observable evidence: Reset both sides of trust credentials in recovery order. Only the official source and traced locations below supply facts. Confirm applicability before acting. ## Source fact: The official [AD Forest Recovery – Resetting a trust password](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/manage/forest-recovery-guide/ad-forest-recovery-reset-trust) from Microsoft supports the following bounded statements: - The forest-recovery guide calls for resetting trust passwords when recovery follows a security breach. The research record locates this support at Opening overview. - It resets the trusting side first and then uses the same password on the trusted side during that domain’s recovery. The research record locates this support at Opening overview. Do not import neighboring assumptions into the source record. The supported task is a scoped comparison involving forest recovery plans, trusted backups, isolated recovery networks, controller rebuild order, credential resets, and validation steps and the conditions the source actually describes. ## What the source does not establish Map trust direction and domain recovery order before resetting either side. Do not read the source as proof of implementation or permission to change production. Its guidance remains conditional on offline credentials, Windows DNS, time, virtualization, storage, PKI, network isolation, and authorized recovery personnel and the environment’s recorded constraints. ## Applicability questions - For source statement 1 at Opening overview, which observable configuration, record, or test can confirm applicability here? - For source statement 2 at Opening overview, which observable configuration, record, or test can confirm applicability here? - What inventory proves which parts of forest recovery plans, trusted backups, isolated recovery networks, controller rebuild order, credential resets, and validation steps are in and out of scope? - Which condition in offline credentials, Windows DNS, time, virtualization, storage, PKI, network isolation, and authorized recovery personnel must be healthy before evidence is trustworthy? - What result would disprove the working assumption and return the issue to the owner? ## DSE recommendation: DSE recommends using the cited source as the evidence anchor for this decision. Use a two-person review for the source interpretation and the resulting operational decision. Record the source location, examined part of forest recovery plans, trusted backups, isolated recovery networks, controller rebuild order, credential resets, and validation steps, observed and expected states, owner, and reason for deviation. If the review warrants change, use a bounded implementation with prerequisites, test population, monitoring, abort criteria, and a rehearsed reversal. Sequence checks for offline credentials, Windows DNS, time, virtualization, storage, PKI, network isolation, and authorized recovery personnel and sanitize protected material before retention. ## Verification and evidence Evidence should let another reviewer reproduce this decision. Retain observations beside the traced locations Opening overview; Opening overview. Favor backup manifests, restore logs, isolation proof, recovery timing, role-transfer records, DNS validation, and exercise findings, linked to stable identifiers, time, and operator. Retain the starting state, authorization, execution record, outcome, deviation, and final state as one review package. Move disruptive checks to an approved test path. Reopen the decision when versions, design, dependencies, ownership, or official guidance changes. ## Official references - [AD Forest Recovery – Resetting a trust password](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/manage/forest-recovery-guide/ad-forest-recovery-reset-trust) — Microsoft ## Primary reference - Name: AD Forest Recovery - Resetting a trust password - Authority: Microsoft Learn - URL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/manage/forest-recovery-guide/ad-forest-recovery-reset-trust - Source publication date: 2025-05-12 ## Citation and use Preferred citation: “Reset both sides of trust credentials in recovery order,” DSE Security, https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/reset-both-sides-of-trust-credentials-in-order/ Publishing principles: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-updates-editorial-methodology/ Usage and citation policy: https://update.dsesecurity.com/usage/ Copyright © 2026 Detection Systems & Engineering. 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