After installing the latest batch of Microsoft updates on one of my virtualized domain controllers. I needed to restart the virtual machine. Nothing interesting so far but when the virtual machine was started I logged on with the correct credentials and noticed that the virtual machine was started in
Check the safeboot parameter via bcdedit:
if the safeboot contains DsRepair the domain controller will start in Directory Services repair mode. I don’t know why or who changed the safeboot parameter. But I know how you can delete this value so the VM will start normally. Just run the following command to delete the DsRepair value: bcdedit /deletevalue safeboot and shutdown –r –t 10 to restart the virtual machine.
More information about Directory Services Restore mode can be found here.
ICT-Freak.nl 
Hello,
This could happened only if the DC was restored from a Backup Vss/Domain Controller aware, as the virtual DC when its backed up it does enable DS restore mode to ensure that the DC will be restored without any issues.
Start>Run “msconfig” on the domain controller you will see an option Directory Service Safe mode or AD safe mode.
Hello,
This could happened only if the DC was restored from a Backup Vss/Domain Controller aware, as the virtual DC when its backed up it does enable DS restore mode to ensure that the DC will be restored without any issues.
Start>Run “msconfig” on the domain controller you will see an option Directory Service Safe mode or AD safe mode.