Ever since Windows 7 was released a few weeks back, a lot of companies are starting to roll out upgrades to their ancient Windows XP clients. About time! If you have a Windows 7 machine and need to join it to a domain, follow the instructions below.

Overall, it’s a very simple process and it’s very similar to how you would do it in Windows XP and Windows Vista. To get start, click on Start and then Control Panel.

Now click on System and Security and then click on System. Finally, click on Advanced system settings.

windows 7 join domain

Now click on the Computer Name tab and click on the Change button at the bottom:

join a domain windows 7

Now click on the Domain radio button and type in the name of the domain name that you want to join this computer to.

join domain windows 7

Note that on my computer, the Domain and the Network ID buttons are grayed out! Why so? Well, it’s because I have Windows 7 Home Premium.

In order to join a domain in Windows 7, you need to upgrade to the Professional or Ultimate editions. Kind of annoying, but what can you do! The Professional edition also gives you BitLocker and the ability to backup to a home or business network.