Adding Windows NT Workstation, Advanced Server, to Domain

Last reviewed: May 7, 1997
Article ID: Q101469

The following information applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system, version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server, version 3.1

There are three methods to add a computer to a Windows NT domain:

  • Through the Server Manager
  • By installing the Windows NT workstation or Windows NT Advanced Server
  • By using the Networks option in the Windows NT Control Panel

Using the Server Manager to Add a Computer to a Domain

Perform the following six steps to use the Server Manager to add a computer to a domain:

  1. The Administrator must log onto an account with Administrator privileges on any Advanced Server in the domain.

  2. Run the Server Manager in the Administrative Tools group.

  3. From the Computer menu, choose Add To Domain.

  4. In the Add Computer to Domain dialog box, choose either the Server option to add an Advanced Server to the domain or the Workstation option to add a workstation to the domain.

  5. Enter the name of the computer in the Computer Name edit control and choose Add. Then choose Close.

  6. Log onto the newly-added computer and run the Control Panel. Choose Networks and make sure that the list of domains includes the newly specified domain.

Adding a Computer to a Domain During Installation

Perform the following three steps to add a computer to a domain while installing Windows NT:

  1. The Windows NT Setup includes a Network Configuration section to configure the workstation to join a domain or join a workgroup.

  2. If the workstation joins a domain, enter the domain name. If an account for the workstation does not already exist in the Server Manager, select an administrator name and password to create a new account for the computer in the domain.

  3. After entering the domain name, administrator name, and administrator password (if required), Windows NT responds with the message "Welcome to the <domain_name> domain" where <domain_name> is the specified domain. This message indicates that the workstation was successfully added to the domain.

Perform the following three steps to add a computer to a domain while installing Windows NT Advanced Server:

  1. The Windows NT Advanced Server Setup includes a Network Configuration section to configure the Advanced Server as the Primary Domain Controller for a new domain or as a Backup Domain Controller for an existing domain. A Backup Domain Controller stores a copy of the domain user database.

  2. To join a domain as a Backup Domain Controller, enter the domain name. If an account for the workstation does not already exist in the Server Manager, select an administrator name and password to create a new account for the computer in the domain.

  3. After entering the domain name, administrator name, and administrator password (if required), Windows NT responds with the message "Welcome to the <domain_name> domain" where <domain_name> is the specified domain. This message indicates that the workstation was successfully added to the domain.

Adding a Computer to a Domain with the Control Panel

Perform the following four steps to use the Control Panel to add a workstation to a domain:

  1. Run the Control Panel and select the Network icon.

  2. The Network dialog box lists the workgroup or domain to which the workstation belongs. Choose Change to add a new domain.

  3. If an account for the workstation does not already exist in the Server Manager, select an administrator name and password to create a new account for the computer in the domain.

  4. After entering the domain name, administrator name, and administrator password (if required), Windows NT responds with the message "Welcome to the <domain_name> domain" where <domain_name> is the specified domain. This message indicates that the workstation was successfully added to the domain.


Additional query words: prodnt
Keywords : kbsetup nthowto ntsetup
Version : 3.1
Platform : WINDOWS


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Last reviewed: May 7, 1997
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