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HOW TO: Modify the tombstone lifetime period |
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By default, the Active Directory tombstone lifetime is sixty days. This value can be changed if necessary. To change this value, the tombstoneLifetime attribute of the CN=Directory Service object in the configuration partition must be modified. This object is located here:
CN=Directory Service, CN=Windows NT, CN=Services, CN=Configuration, DC=forest-root-domain, DC=tld
There are several ways of modifying this attributes value, the easiest is using ADSI Edit. The following explains how to modify this attributes value using ADSI Edit.
Note. This article assumes that the Windows 2000 Support Tools have been installed.
- Load the ADSIEdit snap-in by navigating to start menu, programs, Windows 2000 Support Tools, Tools, ADSI Edit, or simply type adsiedit.msc at the run command.
- Navigate down to CN=Directory Service, through Configuration, CN=Configuration,DC=domainName,DC=com, CN=Services, CN=Windows NT, right-click and choose properties.
- In the resultant properties dialog, scroll down to tombstoneLifetime, select this attribute and choose edit.
- Configure the Tombstone Lifetime Period
- Enter the new value in the resultant dialog box, and then select OK.
The tombstone lifetime attribute, if in its default state, should have no value defined. The minimum value that can be defined is 2 days; the default, as stated earlier, is 60 days.
Further information
For more information on Active Directory Garbage Collection and on-line defragmentation, please refer to the msresource.net ‘Information' knowledgebase article:
INFO: The Directory Service Garbage Collection Process
Document information
Author: Paul Williams
Written: 14-10-2004
Version: 2.0
Last updated: 25-07-2007
Last updated by: Paul Williams |
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