At IU, in the ADS domain, how should I search for users, groups, computers, and other ADS objects?

Note: The following information is intended for registered local support providers (LSPs) at Indiana University. If you are an LSP and have questions regarding the information in this document, contact LSP Services at  lsps@iu.edu ; otherwise, contact your campus Support Center.

At Indiana University, when you try to list all of the users, computers, and groups in the ads.iu.edu domain, you may receive the following error message:

"This location contains more than 10000 objects. Only the first 10000 objects will be shown."

Querying for large numbers of records is not the best strategy for locating specific ADS objects. Doing so is network bandwidth intensive, and slows network response by consuming domain controller resources. Also, objects are not returned in any order. What you are looking for may or may not be listed in the first 10,000 returned objects.

Instead of attempting to list every object in the domain, try searching through Active Directory Users and Computers by following these instructions:

1. Open the Microsoft Management Console snap-in Active Directory Users and Computers. The snap-in comes in the Windows 2003 Administrator Pack for Windows 2003 Server and Windows XP-related computers, and with Windows 2000 Server or the Windows 2000 Administration Pack for Windows 2000-related computers.
   
   
2. From the menu at the top of the window, select Action, then Find... . The "Find:" box should list what you are searching for (i.e. "Users, Contacts, and Groups"). From the "In:" box, select Entire Directory.
   
   
3. In the "Name:" field, type part or all of the first name, last name, username, or computer name for which you wish to search.
   
   
4. Once you find the name that you are looking for, enter it into the box where you were receiving the 10,000 objects limit. Even though that name may not be included in the 10,000 objects listed, all usernames and computer names are available for your use.

Comments/Questions/Corrections