Synchronizing DNS Information in Registry with Boot Files

Windows NT 4.0 imports Domain Name Service (DNS) information from boot files into the registry when data is modified using DNS Manager. However, after it is there, the information is maintained and updated only in the registry. If data is changed using DNS Manager, the information is not written back to the original boot file.

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:


Microsoft has designed a hotfix for the DNS service that causes it to automatically write back to boot files any changes in the registry that affect information stored in boot files (such as new zones, change files, change zone types, change master, change forwarders, and so on).

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.


If you want to enable Windows NT to store and track DNS information in boot files, apply the above hotfix and use Registry Editor to delete the value EnableRegistryBoot from following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\DNS\Parameters

You can now replace your desired boot file in the %SystemRoot%\System32\Dns folder. During startup, the DNS service now reads from the boot file first, overriding any settings in the registry. After the boot file has been processed, secondary information not found in the boot file is loaded from the registry (secondary security, notify lists, forwarding timeouts, listen IP list, and so on).

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Windows NT 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 4.