This tutorial will show you how to change the workgroup on your Windows 10 and Windows 11 PC to join an existing workgroup on a network or create a new one.
When you connect to a network, Windows automatically creates a new workgroup and gives it the name WORKGROUP by default. You can join any existing workgroup on a network or create a new one. Workgroups provide a basis for file and printer sharing, but a workgroup doesn't actually set up sharing for you.
A workgroup is a group of PCs connected to a local area network on the same subnet that share resources, such as printers and files. Each PC that is a member of the same workgroup can access the resources being shared by the others, and can share its own resources.
- All PCs are peers; no PC has control over another PC.
- Each PC has its own user accounts. To log on to any PC in the workgroup, you must have an account on that PC.
- A workgroup is not protected by a password.
- All PCs in the same workgroup must have a different computer name.
- If your PC was a member of a domain before you joined the workgroup, it will be removed from the domain.
You must be signed in as an administrator to change the workgroup.
A workgroup name cannot contain special characters such as the following:
` ~ @ # $ % ^ & ( ) = + [ ] { } | ; : , ‘ “ . < > / ?
Contents
- Option One: Change Workgroup in Settings
- Option Two: Change Workgroup in Command Prompt
- Option Three: Change Workgroup in PowerShell
1 Open Settings.
2 Click/tap on System on the right side, click/tap on About on the right side. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on the Advanced system settings link to open System Properties (sysdm.cpl). (see screenshot below)
4 Click/tap on the Computer Name tab, and click/tap on the Change button. (see screenshot below)
5 Perform the following steps: (see screenshot below)
- Select (dot) Workgroup.
- Type the name (ex: "BRINKGROUP") of the workgroup you want to join or create.
- Click/tap on OK.
6 Click/tap on OK when prompted. (see screenshot below)
7 Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
This does not restart the computer yet.
8 Click/tap on Close. (see screenshot below)
9 Click/tap on Restart now when ready to restart the computer. (see screenshot below)
1 Open an elevated Windows Terminal, and select Command Prompt.
2 Type the command below into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
wmic computersystem where name="%computername%" call joindomainorworkgroup name="Workgroup-Name"Substitute Workgroup-Name in the command above with the actual name of the workgroup you want to join or create.
For example: wmic computersystem where name="%computername%" call joindomainorworkgroup name="BrinkGroup"
3 When successfully finished, close the elevated command prompt.
4 Restart the computer. to apply.
1 Open an elevated Windows Terminal, and select Windows PowerShell.
2 Type the command below into the elevated PowerShell, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
Add-Computer -WorkGroupName "Workgroup-Name"Substitute Workgroup-Name in the command above with the actual name of the workgroup you want to join or create.
For example: Add-Computer -WorkGroupName "BRINKGROUP"
3 When successfully finished, close the elevated PowerShell.
4 Restart the computer. to apply.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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