Windows IT Pro is the authoritative and independent resource for windows nt, windows 2000, windows 2003, windows xp. Features a collection of resources and magazines for windows IT professionals.
  
  
  Advanced Search 


November 10, 2003

How can I determine what groups a user belongs to from the command line in Windows Server 2003?

RSS
Subscribe to Windows IT Pro | See More Active Directory (AD) Articles Here | Reprints | Or get the Monthly Online Pass—only $5.95 a month!

A. To display groups that a user belongs to, use the Dsget command with the -memberof switch. For example, when I type

dsget user "CN=John K. Savill,CN=Users,DC=uk,DC=savilltech,DC=com" -memberof

my computer displays

"CN=sale2,OU=Sales,DC=uk,DC=savilltech,DC=com"
"CN=Domain Admins,CN=Users,DC=uk,DC=savilltech,DC=com"
"CN=Domain Users,CN=Users,DC=uk,DC=savilltech,DC=com"

These results show that the user is a member of three direct groups: sale2, Domain Admins, and Domain Users. Because the direct groups that the user belongs to might be members of other groups, which makes the user a member of those other groups as well, you can add the -expand switch to view implicit group memberships. For example, if I type

dsget user "CN=John K. Savill,CN=Users,DC=uk,DC=savilltech,DC=com" -memberof -expand

my computer displays

"CN=sale2,OU=Sales,DC=uk,DC=savilltech,DC=com"
"CN=Domain Admins,CN=Users,DC=uk,DC=savilltech,DC=com"
"CN=Domain Users,CN=Users,DC=uk,DC=savilltech,DC=com"
"CN=sale1,OU=Sales,DC=uk,DC=savilltech,DC=com"
"CN=Administrators,CN=Builtin,DC=uk,DC=savilltech,DC=com"
"CN=Users,CN=Builtin,DC=uk,DC=savilltech,DC=com"

Because I've expanded the list of groups, notice that groups sale1, Administrators, and Users appear in the list. In this example, sale2 is a member of sale1, Domains Admins is a member of Administrators, and Domain Users is a member of Users.

End of Article



Reader Comments

You must log on before posting a comment.

If you don't have a username & password, please register now.




Top Viewed ArticlesView all articles
No Jobs, No Excitement at Apple's Last Macworld Keynote

Apple CEO Steve Jobs made the right move in skipping out on his company's last appearance at Macworld: In a Tuesday keynote address at the conference, Apple had no interesting new products to sell, opting instead to spend mind-numbing amounts of time on ...

Where is Microsoft NetMeeting in Windows XP?

...

The Memory-Optimization Hoax

Don't believe the hype. At best, RAM optimizers have no effect. At worst, they seriously degrade performance. ...


Active Directory (AD) Whitepapers Sustainable Compliance: How to reconnect compliance, security and business goals

Managing Unix/Linux with Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007 Cross Platform Extensions Beta

Addressing the Insider Threat with NetIQ Security and Administration Solutions

Related Events Virtualization Forum: Optimizing Storage, Networks, Desktops, and Security

Cloud Computing Forum: Integrating Software, Server and Storage as a Service into Your Enterprise IT Delivery Model

Virtualization Forum: Optimizing Storage, Networks, Desktops, and Security

Check out our list of Free Email Newsletters!

Windows OSs eBooks Understanding and Leveraging Code Signing Technologies

Keeping Your Business Safe from Attack: Monitoring and Managing Your Network Security

Windows 2003: Active Directory Administration Essentials

Related Active Directory (AD) Resources Become a VIP member of the Windows IT Pro community!
Get it all with the VIP CD and VIP access. A $500+ value for only $279!

Subscribe to Windows IT Pro!
Solve your toughest technical problems with our experts and access 10,000 + articles online. 30% off

Monthly Online Pass - Only $5.95!
Get instant access to 10,000+ articles from Windows IT Pro Magazine!

TechNet Virtual Labs
Evaluate and test Microsoft's newest products.


Windows IT Pro Home Register FAQ for Windows WinInfo News
Europe Edition About Us Contact Us/Customer Service Media Kit Affiliates / Licensing  
SQL Server Magazine Office & SharePoint Pro Windows Dev Pro IT Job Hound ITTV
IT Library Technology Resource Directory Connected Home Windows Excavator Windows SuperSite 
 
 Windows IT Pro is a Division of Penton Media Inc.
 Copyright © 2009 Penton Media, Inc., All rights reserved. Terms and Use | Privacy Statement | Reprints and Licensing