Verification of replica failed the specified domain is still using the file replication service

Problem:

When you try to add a Windows Server 2019 Domain Controller into your existing domain you get the error: Verification of replica failed the specified domain is still using the file replication service

Solution:

If you get the below error you will need to take some steps to migrate from using FRS to DFS

There a few things to consider before performing these steps:

  • Decide the methodology which you wish to use for migration.  Most will go with the Hyper Migration Methodology, this is the fastest and most straight-forward method. As long as you perform the checks below and have no errors it is best to use this
  • Ensure that the DCs are replicating without any issues by checking the replication summary. This can be verified using the command repadmin /replsum and repadmin /replsum
  • Take a backup of the SYSVOL folder.
  • Ensure correct security policy is set and built-in Administrators group has the “Manage Auditing and Security Log” user right on all your domain controllers.
  • Migrate to Eliminated State by running the command Dfsrmig /setglobalstate 3 on the PDC Emulator domain controller.
  • NOTE: Unlike the incremental Prepared and Redirected states, there is no way to go backwards from this step – once executed, FRS is permanently stopped and cannot be configured again

Once all this is considered run the command:

Dfsrmig /setglobalstate 3

 

Then run the command:

Dfsrmig /getmigrationstate

 

You should see an output like the below:

Some checks you can run after the commands are:

repadmin /showrepl
dfsrmig /getglobalstate
Dcdiag /e /test:sysvolcheck /test:advertising
Dcdiag

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