How To Check Domain Name In Windows

Windows domains are typically used on large networks — corporate networks, school networks, and government networks. They aren't something you'll encounter at home unless yous accept a laptop provided past your employer or schoolhouse.

A typical home figurer is an isolated entity. You control the settings and user accounts on the computer. A computer joined to a domain is different — these settings are controlled on a domain controller.

What is a Domain?

Windows domains provide network administrators with a way to manage a large number of PCs and control them from one place. One or more servers — known as domain controllers — have control over the domain and the computers on it.

Domains are generally fabricated up of computers on the same local network. Still, computers joined to a domain tin continue communicating with their domain controller over VPN or Internet connection. This allows businesses and schools to remotely manage laptops they provide to their employees and students.

When a reckoner is joined to a domain, it doesn't use its ain local user accounts. User accounts and passwords are managed on the domain controller. When you log into a estimator on that domain, the estimator authenticates your user account proper name and password with the domain controller. This means you can log in with the same username and password on any estimator joined to the domain.

Network administrators can change group policy settings on the domain controller. Each estimator on the domain volition get these settings from the domain controller and they'll override any local settings users specify on their PCs. All the settings are controlled from a single place. This also "locks down" the computers. You probably won't be allowed to alter many organisation settings on a computer joined to a domain.

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In other words, when a computer is function of a domain, the arrangement providing that estimator is managing and configuring it remotely. They have control over the PC, not whoever is using it.

Because domains aren't intended for home users, simply a calculator running a Professional or Enterprise version of Windows can be joined to a domain. Devices running Windows RT also can't join domains.

Is My Estimator Part of a Domain?

If you lot have a home estimator, it'south almost certainly not part of a domain. You lot could ready a a domain controller at home, but there'southward no reason to do this unless you really want the experience. If you apply a computer at piece of work or school, there'south a good chance your computer is function of a domain. If you have a laptop provided to you by your work or school, it may also be part of a domain.

You can quickly bank check whether your computer is part of a domain or non. Open the Control Panel, click the System and Security category, and click Organization. Look nether "Computer proper name, domain and workgroup settings" here. If you see "Domain": followed by the proper name of a domain, your figurer is joined to a domain.

If you see "Workgroup": followed by the name of a workgroup, your computer is joined to a workgroup instead of a domain.

Workgroups vs. Domains

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Every Windows computer non joined to a domain is part of a workgroup. A workgroup is a group of computers on the same local network. Unlike on a domain, no computer on a workgroup has command over whatsoever other estimator — they're all joined together every bit equals. A workgroup doesn't require a password, either.

Workgroups were previously used for home file and printer sharing on previous versions of Windows. Y'all can at present use a homegroup to easily share files and printers betwixt PCs at home. Workgroups have now been pushed to the background, and so you shouldn't need to worry about them — just leave the default workgroup name of WORKGROUP and gear up homegroup file sharing.

Joining or Leaving a Domain

If your computer is part of a domain, joining or leaving the domain won't by and large be your job. If your calculator needs to be on a domain, it will already be on a domain when information technology'due south handed to you. You lot'll usually need the domain administrator's permission to leave a domain, so people who sit down to utilise a domain-joined PC can't merely leave the domain. However, you can exit a domain if you have local administrator access on your PC. You won't have administrator access if yous're using a locked-down PC, of course.

Click the Change Settings link next to "Computer name, domain and workgroup settings" in the Organisation information window to access the Organization Properties window, which allows y'all to join or get out a domain.

If you have an sometime computer that'due south joined to a domain and you no longer have access to the domain, you tin can e'er proceeds admission to the PC by reinstalling Windows. The domain settings are tied to your installed operating arrangement, and reinstalling Windows will give y'all a fresh organisation. Y'all shouldn't exercise this to a work or school PC you don't own, of grade!

Domains limit what you tin do on your PC. When your figurer is role of a domain, the domain controller is in charge of what you lot tin can practice. This is why they're used on large corporate and educational networks — they provide a way for the institution that provides the computers to lock them down and centrally administer them.

That's the core concept, although much more can be done with domains. For example, group policy can be used to remotely install software on computers joined to a domain.

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Source: https://www.howtogeek.com/194069/what-is-a-windows-domain-and-how-does-it-affect-my-pc/

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