Windows Server 2025 Domain Join

 

Before attempting to join the domain, let’s make sure we can ‘resolve’ the domain name, (because most domain join problems are DNS related). Whilst logged in as a (local) administrative user, click the Windows button > Windows PowerShell.

Ensure you can ‘ping’ the domain name (see below), Also here I verify that the IP address that responds in my domain controller (Note: this will only work if your DNS zone has a correctly setup reverse DNS zone!)

Click the Windows button > System.

System > About.

Advanced System Settings.

Computer Name.

Change.

Select ‘Domain’ and enter the domain name > OK > enter credentials that have the rights to join a machine to the domain* > OK

*Note: All domain users have the right to join x10 machines to the domain.

OK > OK.

OK > Restart Now > The server will reboot.

Ensure you don’t mistakenly log on as the local administrator > Other User > Then remember if you are logging on as domain administrator use DOMAIN/Administrator, or administrator@domain-name.domain extension.

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