Join an Active Directory Domain with Windows 10

Joining an Active Directory domain allows centralized management of user accounts and resources. On Windows 10, the procedure is straightforward but requires some prerequisites.

Prerequisites

• Have a domain account with computer join rights, or a domain administrator account.

• Connect the computer to the company network (via cable or Wi-Fi) and verify connectivity to the domain controller.

• Configure the DNS settings in the TCP/IP properties to use the domain’s DNS server.

• Optional: rename the PC to comply with the internal naming convention.

Steps to Join the Domain

1. Open Settings → System → About (or via Control Panel → System and Security → System).

1. In the Related settings section, click Rename this PC (advanced) or Change settings to open the System Properties window.

1. On the Computer Name tab, click Change…. Select Domain and enter the domain name (e.g., entreprise.local).

1. When prompted, enter the credentials of a domain account authorized to join computers (format: DOMAIN\username and password).

1. A message will confirm that the join was successful. Click OK and restart the computer to apply the changes.

Verify the Domain Join

• After restarting, at the login screen, select Other user and sign in with your domain account (DOMAIN\username).

• Return to Settings or System Properties to confirm the domain name is correctly displayed.

• Test access to network resources (shares, printers) and verify Group Policy application.

Conclusion

By joining an Active Directory domain, your Windows 10 PC benefits from centralized control, consistent security policies, and simplified access to shared resources. Follow these steps to seamlessly integrate your device into your organization’s domain.