Managing Server 2012 : Adding Machines to a Server 2012 Domain (part 1) - Joining Windows 7 to a Server 2012–Level Domain

Traditionally, IT professionals will upgrade servers before upgrading client machines or just replace dated user machines with new ones preinstalled with the latest Windows client operating system. It’s conceivable that there will be organizations that will want to join not only Windows 8 clients, but Windows 7 (and in some cases, Windows XP) machines, to Server 2012 domains.

Client machines and servers can be joined to domains in large organizations and enterprises via automated methods such as scripting and batch files. This section focuses on client-side installation through the GUI, the method typically employed in smaller networks. These steps will also work for virtual machines.

1. Joining Windows 7 to a Server 2012–Level Domain

From System Properties in the Windows 7 client’s Control Panel, click the Computer Name tab and click Change, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Windows 7 System Properties

Enter the domain name under “Member of” in the Domain field (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Entering the domain name

Enter user account credentials with permission to join computers to the domain. A confirmation message pops up when the machine is successfully joined (Figure 3).

Once the client machine is joined to the domain, you can find the machine in the Computers container in the ADAC, as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 3. Successfully joining the domain

Figure 4. Machine joined to domain, now listed in the ADAC