Here is how to manually add your Windows 8 to a domain. (also applies to Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Update)
In your Windows 8 Start page, search for Control Panel and access System and Security\System. And just like earlier versions of Windows, in the Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings section, select Change settings.
At the Computer Name/Domain Changes enter your domain name and click OK. You’ll be prompted to input an administrative account to enroll Windows 8 to the domain and will be asked to restart the machine after.
After the restart select Other user in the log on page. Enter your domain credentials.
Windows will now created your domain profile in your machine.
Question, if you get a chance, what if the Domain option is grayed out? I cannot change it. And I’m the only user/administrator. Any idea why that might be grayed out?
Hi Matt,
May I know what version of Windows 8 are you using? Only Windows 8 Pro and Enterprise are the editions that can join to a domain. If you’re using one of these, check if the Workstation service is running under the Local Services, if yes try restarting it. Hope this helps.
This bit works fine with Pro, but I’m having issues with Roaming Profiles on a Server 2008 R2 Domain. The Windows 8 Client machine sticks with a temporary profile instead. Any thoughts?
Hi Mark,
Though I have not yet simulated this scenario, may I ask if your users are logged on to multiple terminals? Last time during our migration from XP to Vista users that have log on to Windows Vista and logs on back to Windows XP encounters roaming profile problem.
I’ll test this and get back to you.
Are there any How To Guides on migrating an old Win 7 profile to Win 8 – I have managed to do the above and now logged in as Admin, but the client wants like for like – will their current Win 7 profile log in / show same docs and settings or will everything have to be transferred manually?
+ If I log the user on Win 8 – will this sync the current Win 8 profile to SBS and potentially everything may be lost?
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