Enable the Windows NT 4.0 Environment Change Freeze

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Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Before you upgrade the PDC in your Windows NT 4.0 domain to Windows Server 2003 Active Directory, you must freeze the Windows NT 4.0 environment to ensure that no other domain changes occur until after the PDC is upgraded. Freeze the Windows NT 4.0 environment when:

  • You have completed all of the updates to the Windows NT 4.0 domain and have replicated them to all domain controllers.

  • You have synchronized a BDC and have taken it offline for recovery purposes.

When you freeze the Windows NT 4.0 environment, no additional domain changes can take place until you upgrade the Windows NT 4.0 PDC to Windows Server 2003. Communicate to all appropriate individuals that changes to the environment, such as password updates, will not be accepted after a specific date.