How to join a Domain on Windows 10
Windows 10 users can be configured on a domain; the domain is a network that users can join or configured on. The network makes it easier to manage multiple systems, deploy software, manage updates, and more. Windows 10 Pro is the Windows edition you should use if you’re going to use the OS as a domain user but, you an also join a domain on Windows 10 home.
Join domain on Windows 10
To join a domain, you will have to manually configure it and you must know what domain it is you want to join. There are multiple ways to join a domain on Windows 10. You must be connected to a network that allows you to access the domain. This could be the internet or it may be a local network that you must be connected to.
1. Join domain – Settings app
To join a domain from the Settings app, follow these steps.
- Open the Settings app with the Win+I keyboard shortcut.
- Go to Accounts.
- Go to the Access work and school tab.
- Click the Connect button.
- Sign into the account.
2. Join domain – Control Panel
You can join a domain from Control Panel. The setting isn’t accessible directly but the process is simple regardless.
- Open File Explorer.
- Paste this in the location bar:
explorer shell:::{BB06C0E4-D293-4f75-8A90-CB05B6477EEE}and tap Enter. - Click Change settings next to Computer name.
- In the window that opens, go to the Computer name tab.
- Click Network ID.
- Enter the domain you want to join.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to join a domain.
3. Join domain – Command Prompt
To join a domain via Command Prompt, follow these steps.
- Open Command Prompt with admin rights.
- Run the following command;
netdom /domain:DomainName /user:Username /password:YourPassword member <computer name> /joindomain
- Replace DomainName with the name of the domain you want to join.
- Replace Username with your username.
- Replace YourPassword with the password to your account.
- Replace Computer name with the name of your computer (you can look it up from the Settings app).
- Your computer will be added to the domain.
Conclusion
Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 S do not support joining domains. With Windows 10 Home, you can join a school or work network but the option only works from the Settings app. The Control Panel option to join a network is disabled on Windows 10 Home. The Command Prompt method will work on Windows 10 Home and Pro but no method will work on Windows S. You will have to switch to either Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro. The switch won’t be free i.e., you will need to purchase the version of Windows that you want to use. If you’re making the switch, you should opt for Windows 10 Pro.
