How To Join a Domain From the Command Line

 Last reviewed: October 29, 1997
Article ID: Q150493
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0

SUMMARY

This article is aimed at providing a way to join a domain from a command line. This can be achieved with the NETDOM command line utility included in Windows NT 4.0 Resource Kit Supplement 2.

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: The solution included in this article has not been extensively tested in large installations. Microsoft cannot guarantee that modifications of domains as recommended herein will accomplish the objective described in this article under all circumstances and in all configurations.

For the purpose of this article, assume MYDOMAIN is the name of the domain and MYCOMPUTER is the name of the workstation or stand-alone server that is joining the domain.

NETDOM lets you join a domain from the command line. This can apply to Windows NT workstations and standalone servers.

If you are the administrator of the domain

If you have administrative access to the primary domain controller (PDC) (such as through an user account member of the Local Administrators or Domain Administrators groups,) NETDOM automatically creates the computer account if necessary.

You may run the following command (in a single line): 

   NETDOM /Domain:MYDOMAIN /user:adminuser /password:apassword MEMBER
      MYCOMPUTER /JOINDOMAIN
The command line above may be run on any computer as soon as you have administrative access to the computer MYCOMPUTER. If you are already logged on to the domain with an administrator account, then the options /DOMAIN, /USER and /PASSWORD are not required.

If you are not an administrator of the domain

If you do not have administrative access to the PDC of the domain then you must ask the administrator to add a computer account for your computer member.

The computer account can be created as follows: 

   NETDOM /Domain:MYDOMAIN /user:adminuser /password:apassword MEMBER
      MYCOMPUTER /ADD
Then act as follows to join the domain. 

   NETDOM /Domain:MYDOMAIN MEMBER MYCOMPUTER /JOINDOMAIN
If the workstation or the stand-alone server was already in the domain the secure channel is checked.

Additional query words: 4.00 prodnt reskit rename
Keywords : ntconfig nthowto NTSrvWkst kbnetwork
Version : 4.0
Platform : winnt

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: October 29, 1997
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.