How do I join a Windows 8 PC into a domain?

Question

How can I enroll a Windows 8 PC into an existing domain?

Does it not include `netdom`? I have not tried it out myself yet. — paradroid, Sep 14 '11 at 16:32

score 15 · Accepted Answer · edited Jan 04 '13 at 20:49

15

From the Start page, select Control Panel.
In the left sidebar, scroll all the way to the bottom and select More settings. Now you see the Control Panel much like it was in Windows 7.
Select System and Security, then System.
In the Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings section, select Change settings.
Do what you would have done in Windows 7.

Note: You must have Windows 8 Pro or Enterprise

edited Jan 04 '13 at 20:49

MDT Guy

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answered Sep 14 '11 at 16:45

William Jackson

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I'm trying this. The domain field is grayed and not selectable.... any tips? – Jason94 Sep 07 '12 at 14:19
1

@Jason94 Any chance you've got Windows RT and not 8? RT can't join a domain. Also it appears only the Pro version of 8 can. – Josh Jan 04 '13 at 18:21
Quicker way: Right click in lower left hand corner, Click on system. Follow four and five above. – Jeff F. Jan 04 '13 at 21:00
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Damn Microsoft, why can't RT devices join a domain. Other than that downside they can be ideal for business users. – Paul C May 30 '13 at 14:18
I think the RT limitation is because they want business users to use the Surface Pro, and not the cheaper Surface RT. Most desktop computers with W8 have Pro anyway. – Nzall Jan 22 '14 at 15:58
RT was the worst decision by Microsoft, in the tablet sector... – Kinnectus Oct 22 '15 at 14:51

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 04 '13 at 20:23

If you are not afraid of the command line, PowerShell offers an easy way to script / automate this through the JoinDomainOrWorkgroup WMI method:

# Acquire credentials for a domain account that has permission to join
$admin = Get-Credential

# these two variables are for convenience in shortening the command line
$user = $admin.UserName
$pw = $admin.GetNetworkCredential().Password

$CS = Get-WmiObject Win32_ComputerSystem
$CS.JoinDomainOrWorkgroup("DOMAIN",$pw,$user,$null,3)

Important Note: you will need Windows 8 Pro or Enterprise to join a domain. The regular version of Windows 8 and Windows 8 RT are not able to join domains. You can see your version with the following PowerShell command:

(Get-WmiObject -class Win32_OperatingSystem).Caption

References:

Win32_ComputerSystem: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa394102.aspx
Win32_OperatingSystem: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa394239.aspx
JoinDomainOrWorkgroup: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa392154.aspx

score 0 · Answer 3 · edited Oct 22 '15 at 14:49

0

You can attempt to use X-Setup to join a 'non'-Pro Windows client to a domain. The software is out of date, but it was used for Windows XP Home Edition to do what you are asking.

I have not attempted it with Windows 8.

edited Oct 22 '15 at 14:49

Peter Mortensen

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answered Nov 12 '13 at 15:09

Obi One

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According to the X-Setup website, X-Setup is not compatible with Windows 8 and all operations regarding X-Setup have been shut down. As usual in a case like this, the X-Setup website doesn't offer any information about the possibility of running X-Setup in Windows 8 in compatibility mode. – karel Oct 22 '15 at 14:56

How do I join a Windows 8 PC into a domain?

3 Answers3