Which utility is used to create a point-in-time copy of the Active Directory database?

The utility used to create a point-in-time copy of the Active Directory database is ntdsutil.exe. This command-line tool is specifically designed for managing and maintaining Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). One of its key features is the capability to perform various operations related to the Active Directory database, including creating snapshots.

This snapshot can be particularly useful for backup purposes or for recovery scenarios, allowing administrators to restore the state of Active Directory to a specific moment without affecting the live environment. It provides a way to ensure data integrity and to facilitate disaster recovery.

The Active Directory PowerShell Module, while comprehensive and powerful for managing various aspects of Active Directory, is not specifically designated for creating point-in-time copies of the database itself. System File Checker is intended for scanning and repairing Windows system files, and Disk Management is used for managing disk partitions and volumes, neither of which pertains to Active Directory database operations. Thus, ntdsutil.exe stands out as the correct and most applicable utility for this task.