Checking domain and forest functional level is not as difficult as we think. Even a simple task becomes complicated for us when it is unknown. If you don’t know How to check domain and forest functional level, you are at the right place.
When installing your first domain, an active directory consistently starts automatically with a forest root domain. This root domain grows the basis of additional directory elements. You should protect it well as the foundation of your enterprise computing environment.
Therefore, the only irreparable damage to this basic structure is an administrative failure or hardware failure that paralyzes the entire forest and domain.
Follow my whole article to learn about checking domain and forest functional level.
What is the Domain and Forest Functional Level?
Domain functional levels enable features that affect the entire domain and that domain only. It also controls which can run Windows operating systems on domain controllers. And forest functional levels enable features all across all domains within a forest.
Accordingly, every website has a domain. For example, www.facebook.com or www.youtube.com, etc. Here, WWW is the World Wide Web used to access the network. And Facebook is the main domain. Hence .com is called a domain extension.
Domain functional level also varies for different forest functional levels. The forest server is determined based on the domain server.
Suppose the user selects forest functional level in Windows server 2016. In that case, he will only get access to Windows server 2016 at the domain functional level.
Also, check out our separate post on how to fix the Start button not working on Windows 11.
How to Check Domain Functional and Forest Functional Level
Checking system performance with data parameters can cause many difficulties. Effective checking can take a lot of time and may require a lot of conveniences. Fortunately, software checking companies have an extraordinary approach and strategy to help in any kind of complicated situation.
Based on the checking mentioned above methods, experts run domain checking. Boundary values and equivalent classes are then checked when the system parameters are checked separately from each other.
But sometimes, there is a requirement to check all system parameters at once.
Here are the steps to check the Domain and Forest Functional level:
1. Use Admin Tools
System administrators use admin tools, the collective name for several advanced tools in Windows. The admin tools can be used to manage advanced aspects of users and groups, configure Windows services, and do much more sophisticated tasks.
And you can check domain and forest functional level using Admin Tools.
Here are the steps to use Admin Tools:
- Log in to your Active Directory Domain Controller.
- Go to the Windows search bar and type Administrative tools.
- Open Windows Administrative tools.
- Select Active Directory Users and Trust.
- Right-click the Root Domain.
- Select Properties.
Under the General tab, you will see the Domain Functional Level and Forest Functional Level.
Here’s a complete guide on how to restore files from File History on Windows 11.
2. Use Powershell Command
Powershell is a task automation solution that includes a command-line shell, scripting language, and an automation platform. It has the best features of other shells.
In addition, it accepts and returns .NET objects. It helps to check domain and forest functional levels in a few steps.
Here are the steps to use Powershell Command:
- Log in to your Active Directory Domain Controller.
- Go to the Windows search bar and type Windows Powershell.
- Right-click on Windows Powershell and select Run as Administrator.
- Click Yes when a pop-up screen shows from the User Account Control.
- Write the command Get-ADDomain | f1 Name,DomainMode to find the domain functional level.
- Write the command Get-ADForest | f1 Name,ForestMode to find the forest functional level.
After giving the mentioned commands, you will see the current domain and functional level.
Follow our guide to update Drivers on Windows 11.
3. Use the Server Manager
Server Manager is a managing console in a Windows server that helps to provision and manage local and remote Windows-based servers from desktops. It doesn’t require any physical or Remote Desktop protocol access to servers.
Server Manager makes it easy to check domain and forest functional level.
Here’s how to check domain and forest functional level using server manager:
- Log in to your Active Directory Domain Controller.
- Open the Server Manager.
- Click Tools.
- Select Active Directory Domain and Trusts.
- Right-click the root directory and select properties to proceed.
Under the General tab, you will find the domain and forest functional levels currently configured on your Active Directory Domain Controller.
Important Note: If you have more than one domain controller, you should log in to the forest root domain controller.
After following the previous steps, you will clearly know what domain and forest functional level is running on.
Check out the easiest way to switch domain controller on Windows.
FAQs
What is the forest functional level in the active directory?
The Forest level in the active directory is the lowest organizational unit that can contain one or more domains.
What is the current forest functional level?
No new forest or domain functional level has been added since Windows server 2019. But Windows Server 2016 is the most used performance level.
What are domains in the active directory?
An active directory domain is a collection of objects within a Microsoft active directory network.
A Final Thought
IT administrators can protect the company from cyber attacks or cybercrime by following the changes made to the active directory. This may be due to the deployment of functional domain versions that do not have adequate security features.
Tracking the functional level changes of the domain is a part of domain policy change auditing.
Let me know if you find this article helpful. Besides, the comment section is for you if you have any inquiries.
Peace!
