How to tell if your computer is part of a domain
Modified on: Wed, 30 Apr 2025 9:26 AMIntroduction
An Active Directory (AD) domain is a logical grouping of network objects (like users, computers, and groups) that share the same Active Directory database and are managed by a single administrative unit.
There are several AD domains at the U of A including:
- sts.ad.ualberta.ca (STS) (also called Central Domain)
- engineering.ualberta.ca (ENGG)
- ualibrary.ualberta.ca (UALIBRARY)
- registrar.ualberta.ca (RO)
- med.ualberta.ca (MED)
This article was written to help readers know if their computer is part of an AD domain.
Applicability
Target Audience:
- Anyone next to their computer who wants to know their computer’s domain
Non-applicable:
- Domains for MacOS
- Domains for Mobile devices
- Remotely finding the computer’s domain
- For computer names, refer to the Microsoft Support – Locating Computer name
Procedure
Standard Process for Windows 11
Standard Process for Windows 11
This section will describe multiple ways to find out if your computer is on an AD domain.
1.0 Windows Login Screen
This method is preferred if you cannot log into your computer.
- If you are logged out already, continue to the next step. If you are signed into your computer, log out as follows:
- Click the Start Menu icon at the bottom of your screen.
- Click the User icon on the left tab of the Start menu
- Click Sign out
- You should now be in the Windows login screen and the domain is given as shown below under the password field:
If your login screen does not show “Sign in to” (Windows 10 and 11) your computer is likely not part of a domain
Note: For Windows 7: It should say “Log on to”
2.0 Windows Settings
This method uses About your PC from Settings.
- Tap the Windows key on your keyboard, to the left of the spacebar.
- Type About your PC in the search field in the window that comes up then click About your PC
- The domain is shown in the Full device name field
3.0 Command Prompt
- Type Windows Key+R to open Run
- Type cmd in the field
- Once Command Prompt opens type wmic computersystem get domain. The output will be the computer’s domain.
- Computers that are not on any domain will show WORKGROUP as shown below:
Additional Considerations (Notes)
Keywords: central domain, sts.ad.ualberta.ca, joined, sts domain