Security Solutions

Reviewing Acronis Internet Security Suite 2010

Networking

Accessing Shared Partitions from Ubuntu & Windows 7

System

Manage Your Disks using the Disk Management Utility

Survey

Would you buy a book/ebook from us?

How to Change the Workgroup in Windows 7

Mon, 02/15/2010 - 21:28 — Ciprian

Computers on a network can be part of a workgroup or a domain. The difference between them is how resources are managed on the network. While domains are fit for enterprise networks, home networks can work very well with workgroups. In this article I will explain in more detail the difference between domains and workgroups. I'll also share how to change the workgroup used by your Windows 7 computer.

Domains vs Workgroups

Domains are used in big networks where some computers are servers and network administrators apply the same set of rules and settings on all the network's computers. In order to access a computer from the domain, you don't need a user defined on that specific computer. You need a user account on that domain. Therefore, you can log to any computer from the domain, using the same domain user account.

Workgroups are used for small networks and each computer has its own set of rules and settings. They work very well for home or small-business networks. In order to access a computer from the workgroup, you need to have a user account defined on that computer. There is no domain user account you can use on all computers. Therefore you can work only on the computers on which you have a user account defined.

How to Change the Workgroup

Go to Control Panel -> System and Security -> System or search for the word system in the Start Menu search box and click on the result with the same name.

In the System window, there is a section called 'Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings'. There you will see the current workgroup. To change it, click on 'Change settings'.

Workgroup

The System Properties window will now open. In the Computer Name tab, click on the Change button.

Workgroup

A new window called 'Computer Name/Domain Changes' will open. In the Workgroup field, type the name of the workgroup you want to join and click on OK.

Workgroup

When done, you will receive a welcome note.

Workgroup

Once you close the welcome note, you will be notified that you must restart your computer in order for the changes to be applied. Click on OK.

Workgroup

Now close the System Properties window.

Workgroup

Windows 7 will ask if you want to restart your PC now or later. Make the choice you desire and you are done.

Workgroup

Once the computer is restarted, it will have joined the newly assigned workgroup and you will be able to work with computers from that workgroup.

Conclusion

As you can see, changing the workgroup in Windows 7 is a pretty simple procedure. If you want to know about how to change other networking settings, don't hesitate to check the articles listed below.