Using the wizard

To demote a domain controller graciously using Server Manager, follow these steps:

1. Open Server Manager,  (servermanager.exe).
2. In the gray top bar of Server Manager, click Manage.
3. Select Remove Server Roles and Features from the context menu.
   The, Remove Roles and Features Wizard appears.
4. On the Before you begin screen, click Next.
5. On the Select destination server screen, select the local Windows Server installation from the server pool list, and then click Next.
6. On the Select server roles screen, deselect the Active Directory Domain Services role from the list of installed roles.
7. In the popup screen, click the Remove features button to Remove features that are required for Active Directory Domain Services:

1. On the Validation Results screen, follow the Demote this Domain Controller link to acknowledge that the domain controller needs to be demoted before the Active Directory Domain Services role can be removed:

1. The Active Directory Domain Services Configuration Wizard appears.

1. On the Credentials screen, optionally enter the credentials to perform the demotion, or click Next > to perform the operation with the credentials of the account you signed in with:

1. On the Removal options screen, select the Proceed with removal option and click Next >:

1. On the New administrator password screen, enter the new password for the built-in administrator account. Click Next > to proceed to the next screen.
2. On the Review Options screen, click Demote.
3. When configuration of the Active Directory Domain Services server role is done, click Close to close the Remove Roles and Features wizard.