# Use nonauthoritative AD restore for controllers that must resynchronize > Use Active Directory Forest Recovery - Performing a nonauthoritative restore of Active Directory Domain Services to review this narrow operational decision without extending the source beyond its stated scope. - Canonical URL: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/use-nonauthoritative-ad-restore-for-resynchronization/ - Publisher: Detection Systems & Engineering (DSE Security) - Author: DSE Security Editorial Team - Published: 2026-08-27T12:14:24+00:00 - Modified: 2026-08-27T12:58:58+00:00 - Last reviewed by DSE: 2026-08-26 - Resource type: Checklist - DSE priority: Advisory - Topics: Business Continuity, IT, Microsoft 365 & Identity - Reading time: 3 minutes ## What you need to know Use Active Directory Forest Recovery - Performing a nonauthoritative restore of Active Directory Domain Services 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 Active Directory Forest Recovery - Performing a nonauthoritative restore of Active Directory Domain Services ## DSE recommendation Compare the observed state with the cited official source, document applicability and exceptions, and test any approved change with rollback safeguards. ## Article Treat this document as a focused evidence review: Use nonauthoritative AD restore for controllers that must resynchronize. Only the official source and traced locations below supply facts. Confirm applicability before acting. ## Source fact: The official [Active Directory Forest Recovery – Performing a nonauthoritative restore of Active Directory Domain Services](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/manage/forest-recovery-guide/ad-forest-recovery-perform-nonauthoritative-restore) from Microsoft supports the following bounded statements: - Microsoft documents wbadmin.exe procedures for nonauthoritative AD DS restore. The research record locates this support at Opening overview. - The procedure distinguishes nonauthoritative AD restore from an authoritative SYSVOL restore that can be performed alongside it. The research record locates this support at Section: Perform a nonauthoritative restore of AD DS and authoritative restore of SYSVOL. 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 Identify the authoritative replication source before bringing the restored controller online. 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 Section: Perform a nonauthoritative restore of AD DS and authoritative restore of SYSVOL, 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. Do not move from citation to production in one step. Pilot the decision where practical, observe agreed signals, retain a reversal point, and verify offline credentials, Windows DNS, time, virtualization, storage, PKI, network isolation, and authorized recovery personnel. Handle credentials, keys, recovery data, and personal information through approved secure channels. ## Verification and evidence Evidence should let another reviewer reproduce this decision. Retain observations beside the traced locations Opening overview; Section: Perform a nonauthoritative restore of AD DS and authoritative restore of SYSVOL. Favor backup manifests, restore logs, isolation proof, recovery timing, role-transfer records, DNS validation, and exercise findings, linked to stable identifiers, time, and operator. Record the decision even when no change is made, including uncertainty and the next trigger. Use safe testing conditions for disruptive work, preserve rollback proof, and revisit the conclusion after relevant platform, dependency, vendor, or ownership changes. ## Official references - [Active Directory Forest Recovery – Performing a nonauthoritative restore of Active Directory Domain Services](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/manage/forest-recovery-guide/ad-forest-recovery-perform-nonauthoritative-restore) — Microsoft ## Primary reference - Name: Active Directory Forest Recovery - Performing a nonauthoritative restore of Active Directory Domain Services - Authority: Microsoft Learn - URL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/manage/forest-recovery-guide/ad-forest-recovery-perform-nonauthoritative-restore - Source publication date: 2023-06-21 ## Citation and use Preferred citation: “Use nonauthoritative AD restore for controllers that must resynchronize,” DSE Security, https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/use-nonauthoritative-ad-restore-for-resynchronization/ 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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