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:

• Domain name you want to join.
• The name and password of your user account on the Domain set up by the domain administrator.

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

• Option One: To Join PC to a Domain from Settings
• Option Two: To Join PC to a Domain from System Properties
• Option Three: To Join PC to a Domain from PowerShell

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.

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)

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)

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

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

Example of domain name from server.

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

Example of domain user account from server.

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

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

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)

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)

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

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)

Example of domain name from server.

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

Example of domain user account from server.

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

Example of domain user account from server.

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

That's it,
Shawn

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• How to Install Windows Server 2016 and Setup Local Domain Controller
• How to Remove a Windows 10 PC from a Local Active Directory Domain
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• How to join a Windows 10 PC to Azure Active Directory
• How to Enable or Disable Show Local Users on Sign-in Screen on Domain Joined Windows 10 PC
• How to Set Network Location to be Public, Private, or Domain in Windows 10
• Enable or Disable Simultaneous Connections to Both Non-domain and Domain Networks in Windows 10

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