How To / Software

Adding Windows 7 to a Windows 2003 SBS domain environment

by Bernard Sinai · Published January 24, 2012 · Updated March 20, 2017

This is how you can add a Windows 7 to a Windows 2003 SBS domain environment. Unlike Microsoft’s previous desktop Operating Systems, the standard method of adding this OS to the domain will not work. This is because the system is much newer than its host server. Here is how it is done.

(I’m using my workplace domain as an example)

First – logon using an account with administrator privileges and then right click on My Computer and select Properties. Then select Advance system settings.

Step 1

The next step is to rename the computer and add it to a domain. There are two ways to do this. The first is by calling up a wizard using the Network ID button and the second is by manually adding it using the Change button. For this purpose I will use the later. Click on Change.

Step 2: Change /add domain

Now enter the computer name of your choice and add a domain. In this case I’m using OHE.local. If you try the domain without .local and it doesn’t work then I suggest adding it. Click OK when you are done.

Step 3: Add to the domain

The computer will now ask for a domain username and password with administrator privileges. You must have this information. If you don’t, then contact your Systems Administrator.