✅ Use AdrestoreNet for quick, interactive restores (1–10 objects, occasional use).
✅ Avoid for bulk restores – PowerShell is faster and scriptable.
✅ Test restores in a lab first – especially for critical data like groups with hundreds of members.
ADRestore.NET is the unofficial graphical user interface (GUI) version of the classic ADRestore command-line utility from Microsoft Sysinternals.
While the original tool by Mark Russinovich is a CLI-only application for "tombstone reanimation" in Active Directory, ADRestore.NET provides a more user-friendly experience for administrators who prefer a visual interface. Key Features of ADRestore.NET
Tombstone Browsing: Allows users to visually browse deleted objects marked as tombstones in the AD database.
Search and Filter: Offers a way to easily find specific deleted users, computers, or organizational units (OUs).
Domain Controller Targeting: Supports selecting specific Domain Controllers for the restoration process.
Alternative Credentials: Can be run with specific administrative credentials without needing to be logged into the desktop as a Domain Admin. Origins and Availability
The tool was developed by Guy Teverovsky, a Microsoft MVP, and was released around 2008-2009. It is often referenced in technical blogs like 4sysops and Petri IT Knowledgebase as a free utility for legacy AD environments. Modern Alternatives
AdRestore.net: The GUI Version of AdRestore for Effortless Active Directory Recovery
For years, IT administrators relied on the classic, command-line AdRestore utility from Sysinternals to bring objects back from the "Active Directory Tombstone." While powerful, its text-based interface and lack of a search function made recovering specific objects a tedious task.
Enter AdRestore.net, the unofficial but essential graphical user interface (GUI) version of the original tool. It brings modern convenience to a critical administrative task, allowing you to browse and restore deleted items with a few clicks. Why Use AdRestore.net?
In an Active Directory environment, accidental deletions happen. Before the "AD Administrative Center" (ADAC) Recycle Bin was introduced in Windows Server 2008 R2 (and made user-friendly in 2012), recovering a deleted user or group meant wrestling with tombstone attributes.
Even today, in environments where the Recycle Bin isn't enabled or for admins who prefer a lightweight, portable tool, AdRestore.net remains a top choice. Key Features
Visual Browsing: Instead of typing commands, you get a clean list of all tombstoned (deleted) objects.
Search and Filter: Quickly find a specific user, computer, or OU by name rather than scrolling through hundreds of entries. adrestorenet the gui version of adrestore
Simplified Restoration: Select an object and click "Restore." The tool handles the reanimation of the tombstone automatically.
No Installation Required: It is a portable .exe that you can run directly from your management workstation or a domain controller. How It Works
When an object is deleted in Active Directory, it isn't immediately erased. It is moved to the Deleted Objects container, stripped of most attributes, and marked as a "tombstone."
AdRestore.net queries this hidden container and displays the objects to you. When you trigger a restore, the tool flips the isDeleted attribute back to FALSE. Important Limitation
Like the original command-line tool, AdRestore.net recovers the object, but it cannot recover all attributes. Because Active Directory strips most metadata during deletion, restored objects will typically lose: Group memberships. Password information (sometimes requiring a reset). Specific profile attributes.
Note: If you have the AD Recycle Bin enabled, it is always better to use that first, as it preserves all attributes. How to Use AdRestore.net
Launch the Tool: Run AdRestore.net.exe with Domain Admin privileges.
Enumerate: Click the Enumerate button to scan the Deleted Objects container.
Search: Use the filter bar to locate the deleted user or object. Restore: Select the item and click Restore Selection.
AdRestore.net bridges the gap between the raw power of Sysinternals and the need for administrative speed. It transforms a stressful recovery process into a simple point-and-click operation, making it a "must-have" in any sysadmin's digital toolkit.
Introduction
Adrestore.NET is a graphical user interface (GUI) version of the popular command-line tool, Adrestore. Developed by Microsoft, Adrestore is a utility used to restore previously deleted Active Directory objects, such as users, groups, and organizational units. Adrestore.NET aims to provide a user-friendly interface for administrators to easily recover deleted objects, reducing the complexity and technical expertise required to use the command-line version.
Key Features
Benefits
System Requirements
Getting Started
Conclusion
Adrestore.NET provides a convenient and user-friendly way to restore deleted Active Directory objects. With its intuitive GUI interface, administrators can quickly and easily recover deleted objects, reducing downtime and increasing productivity. Download Adrestore.NET today and simplify your Active Directory object recovery process.
ADRestore.NET: The GUI Savior for Accidental Active Directory Deletions
It’s every IT administrator's nightmare: You accidentally delete an Active Directory (AD) user, group, or organizational unit (OU). You need it back—fast—and without restoring from a full backup, which causes downtime. While Microsoft offers the command-line utility
(part of the Sysinternals suite), it isn't always user-friendly. ADRestore.NET
—a free GUI-based tool that brings the power of "tombstone reanimation" to an easy-to-use interface. What is ADRestore.NET?
Developed by Guy Teverovsky, ADRestore.NET is a graphical interface designed to find and restore objects from the Deleted Objects container in Active Directory.
It relies on the fact that when an object is deleted, it isn't instantly removed. Instead, it is marked as a "tombstone" (or "deleted object") and kept in the AD database for a specific period (Tombstone Lifetime). Key Features GUI-based:
No more typing command-line parameters to find deleted objects. Target Domain Controllers: Easily choose which domain controller to query. Filter Functionality:
Search through the deleted objects list to find the exact item you need, which is essential for large environments. Attribute Viewer: View attributes of a tombstone object before restoring it. Alternative Credentials:
You don't need to be logged on as a domain admin to run it, making it safer to use. How to Use ADRestore.NET
Using the tool is straightforward, making it perfect for rapid recovery. Download the ADRestore.NET ✅ Use AdrestoreNet for quick, interactive restores (1–10
Run the application (it is advisable to run it on a Domain Controller, or where RSAT is installed). Enumerate: "Enumerate Tombstones" button to see all currently deleted AD objects. Select the desired deleted user, computer, or OU and click "Restore Object" Important Note:
If you deleted an entire OU, you must restore the OU first before restoring the user accounts inside it. ADRestore vs. ADRestore.NET ADRestore (CLI) ADRestore.NET (GUI) Command Line Complexity Advanced/Built-in Scripting/Quick CLI Rapid visual recovery When you are under pressure to restore an AD object, ADRestore.NET
is an essential tool in a system administrator's toolkit. It bridges the gap between powerful Microsoft command-line utilities and user-friendly, fast-acting GUI interfaces.
Note: ADRestore.NET works best on environments where the AD Recycle Bin is not yet enabled, or on older Windows Server versions. FREE: ADRestore.NET – the GUI version of ... - 4sysops
We’ve all been there. You’re cleaning up a few test user accounts in Active Directory, and poof—you accidentally delete the wrong one. Or worse, a former employee with delegated permissions decides to "clean up" a critical organizational unit (OU).
Your heart sinks. Restoring from a system state backup is slow and painful. But what if I told you there’s a fast, free, and now graphical way to bring tombstoned AD objects back to life?
Enter AdRestoreNet.
Click the Restore button. A confirmation dialog will appear showing exactly what will happen. Hit Yes.
Within 1-2 seconds, you’ll see a green success message: "Successfully restored John.Smith to CN=Users,DC=contoso,DC=com."
Open Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) and refresh. John is back, exactly as he was before deletion. His password will need to be reset (for security), but his groups and settings are intact.
Step 1: Download Because AdRestoreNet is not an official Microsoft tool, you need to source it from reputable community repositories (e.g., GitHub, MajorGeeks, or the original author’s site). Always scan with Windows Defender or VirusTotal before running.
Step 2: Run with Privileges
Right-click AdRestoreNet.exe and select Run as Administrator. The tool requires domain admin privileges or delegated permissions to read tombstones and restore objects.
Step 3: Connect to a Domain Controller Enter the name of a writable DC (or leave blank to auto-discover). Click "Connect."
Step 4: Scan for Deleted Objects Click "Enumerate Tombstones." Depending on your domain size, this may take 5–30 seconds. ADRestore
Step 5: Restore Select the object(s), click "Restore Selected," and acknowledge the warning about linked attributes.