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    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain

    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain

    How to Join a Windows 10 PC to a Local Active Directory Domain
    Published by Category: Network & Sharing
    02 Nov 2023
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Join a Windows 10 PC to a Local Active Directory Domain


    A network based on a Domain provides centralized administration of the entire network from a single computer which is called a server. A Domain provides single user login from any computer connected to that network within the network perimeter. Users are allowed (or restricted) to access resources depending upon the permissions they have.

    To join a Domain, you will be required to have the following information:

    To join a Domain, you must meet the following requirements:
    • Domain Controller must be running Windows Server 2003 or later.
    • Only a Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education edition PC can join a domain.

    UPDATE: Netjoin: Domain join hardening changes for Windows

    This tutorial will show you how to join a Windows 10 or Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education PC to a local Active Directory Domain.

    The Family feature will no longer be available in Windows 10 after you join a domain.


    You must be signed in to an administrator account on your Windows 10 PC to join a domain.



    Contents




    EXAMPLE: Sign in to Domain on Windows 10 PC

    When you join a domain, your might be required to change your password on first sign in.

    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-domain_sign-in_windows_10.jpg






    OPTION ONE

    To Join PC to a Domain from Settings


    1 If you haven't already, you will need to change the preferred DNS server address (ex: "192.168.1.150") of your Windows 10 PC to be the same as the domain's. (see screenshots below)

    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-domain_ipv4-1.jpg Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-change_ipv4-2.jpg

    2 Open Settings, and click/tap on the Accounts icon.

    3 Click/tap on Access work or school on the left side, and click/tap on the Connect button on the right side. (see screenshot below)

    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-join_windows10_pc_to_domain-1.jpg

    4 Click/tap on the Join this device to a local Active Directory domain link at the bottom. (see screenshot below)

    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-join_windows10_pc_to_domain-2.jpg

    5 Type the domain name (ex: "ten.forums") of the domain you want to join, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-join_windows10_pc_to_domain-3.jpg

    Example of domain name from server.
    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-domain_name.jpg

    6 Type the user name (ex: "Brink@ten.forums") and password for your domain account, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-join_windows10_pc_to_domain-4.jpg

    Example of domain user account from server.
    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-domain_user.png

    7 Click/tap on Skip. (see screenshot below)

    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-join_windows10_pc_to_domain-5.jpg

    8 Click/tap on Restart now. After you restart, your PC will be joined to the domain (ex: "ten.forums"). (see screenshot below)

    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-join_windows10_pc_to_domain-6.jpg






    OPTION TWO

    To Join PC to a Domain from System Properties


    1 If you haven't already, you will need to change the preferred DNS server address (ex: "192.168.1.150") of your Windows 10 PC to be the same as the domain's. (see screenshots below)

    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-domain_ipv4-1.jpg Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-change_ipv4-2.jpg

    2 Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the System icon.

    Starting with Windows 10 build 20161, you will need to open Settings instead, click/tap on the System icon, and click/tap on About on the left side.


    3 Click/tap on either the Advanced system settings link on the left side or the Change settings link on the right side. (see screenshots below)

    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-join_windows10_pc_to_domain-control_panel_1.jpg Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-settings_system.png

    4 Click/tap on the Change button in the Computer Name tab. (see screenshot below)

    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-join_windows10_pc_to_domain-control_panel_2.jpg

    5 Select (dot) Domain, type the domain name (ex: "ten.forums") of the domain you want to join, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-join_windows10_pc_to_domain-control_panel-3.jpg

    Example of domain name from server.
    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-domain_name.jpg

    6 Type the domain\user name (ex: "TEN\Brink") and password for your domain account, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-join_windows10_pc_to_domain-control_panel-4.jpg

    Example of domain user account from server.
    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-domain_user.png


    7 Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-join_windows10_pc_to_domain-control_panel-5.jpg

    8 Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-join_windows10_pc_to_domain-control_panel-6.jpg

    9 Click/tap on Close. (see screenshot below)

    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-join_windows10_pc_to_domain-control_panel-7.jpg

    10 Click/tap on Restart Now. After you restart, your PC will be joined to the domain (ex: "ten.forums"). (see screenshot below)

    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-join_windows10_pc_to_domain-control_panel-8.jpg






    OPTION THREE

    To Join PC to a Domain from PowerShell


    To see more information and usage options for the Add-Computer command, see: Add-Computer - Microsoft Windows IT Center


    1 If you haven't already, you will need to change the preferred DNS server address (ex: "192.168.1.150") of your Windows 10 PC to be the same as the domain's. (see screenshots below)

    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-domain_ipv4-1.jpg Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-change_ipv4-2.jpg

    2 Open an elevated PowerShell.

    3 Type the command below into the elevated PowerShell, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

    Add-Computer -Domain "Domain Name" -Credential "Domain User Name" -Force

    Substitute Domain Name in the command above with the actual domain name (ex: "ten.forums") you want to join.

    Substitute Domain User Name in the command above with the actual name (ex: "Brink") of your domain user account.

    For example: Add-Computer -Domain "ten.forums" -Credential "Brink" -Force

    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-join_windows10_pc_to_domain_powershell-1.jpg

    4 Enter the password for your domain account (ex: "Brink"), and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-join_windows10_pc_to_domain_powershell-2.jpg

    Example of domain user account from server.
    Join Windows 10 PC to a Domain-domain_user.png

    5 Restart the computer. After you restart, your PC will be joined to the domain (ex: "ten.forums").


    That's it,
    Shawn






  1. Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
       #1

    Nice one Shawn, covering all options :)
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,672
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Thank you Kari. :)
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 7,254
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       #3

    I have a domain and a home network, would there be any advantage in joining the two together?
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
       #4

    swarfega said:
    I have a domain and a home network, would there be any advantage in joining the two together?
    Do you have a local server with domain controller set up?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 7,254
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       #5

    No, the only servery type thing I have is a NAS.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
       #6

    swarfega said:
    No, the only servery type thing I have is a NAS.
    As so often in computing, one word or expression can mean different things depending on context. Word Domain does not make any exception, it can mean totally different things.

    I assume that when you mentioned you having a domain, you meant a domain as a website domain like http://www.some-website-name.com.

    Domain in the sense used in this tutorial means a local domain, a completely different thing. For that you need a machine running Windows Server operating system, and set up a local domain controller on that server. See this tutorial: Windows Server 2016 - Setup Local Domain Controller Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 7,254
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       #7

    Ah, thanks for clearing that up. You lean every day!
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 301
    Windows 10 Enterprise x64 (Insider)
       #8

    Speaking just of Option 1, and the pic in #5, has the entire bottom section ("Alternate actions") been removed in RS4 (using Enterprise 17093 at the moment), or is it just me? If it has, do you know where they've hidden local domain join now? I'm just curious where it might be, since the older UI--which is still there--could disappear at any time.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 68,672
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Hello @rseiler, :)

    The steps are still the same for me in a Windows 10 Pro build 17093 installation. I'm not sure about in an Enterprise edition yet though.
      My Computers


 

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