Can I add a xp home edition computer to a domain?

[Guest]

I have a home computer that needs to be used (for software) in our office
network (MS Server 2003). Can I add the home computer without upgrading the
machine to XP Pro?

 

[Guest]

I have a home computer that needs to be used (for software) in our office
network (MS Server 2003). Can I add the home computer without upgrading the
machine to XP Pro?

Unfortunattely it's not possible to join a Windows XP Home Edition based
computer to a domain so you really need to upgrade it to XP Pro.

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

I have a home computer that needs to be used (for software) in our office
network (MS Server 2003). Can I add the home computer without upgrading
the
machine to XP Pro?

No.
But you can still attach to resource by providing a domain/username and
password set of credentials (such as for file shares and printers).
But if the application is relying on domain credentials etc then no you will
need to upgrade to Windows XP Professional.


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Regards,

Mike
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Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[Nepatsfan]

Short answer, No.

Long answer, quoting from this article:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;295017

Note Windows XP Home Edition is not designed to join domains,
only workgroups. To join domains, use a Professional version of
Windows XP.

 

[Guest]

Following on from that, what is the most straight forward way of upgrading
from XP Home to XP Pro so that I can join a domain. Is there a way without
performing a fresh installation?
Thanks
James

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have a home computer that needs to be used (for software) in our office
network (MS Server 2003). Can I add the home computer without upgrading the
machine to XP Pro?

No.

But I don't understand your rationale: "for software." Any software
that would run on WinXP Home will also run on WinXP Pro.


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Bruce Chambers

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You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Following on from that, what is the most straight forward way of upgrading
from XP Home to XP Pro so that I can join a domain. Is there a way without
performing a fresh installation?

Purchase a copy of WinXP Pro Upgrade, insert the CD, and follow the
on-screen prompts and instructions.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Jetro]

You can add any computer to any network. It's hard to manage the computer if
it isn't part of domain but it cannot prevent you from connecting to the
domain resources. No roaming profile, no group policy etc but if you'd
create local account with domain user credentials for logon the domain would
be transparent for you.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

You can add any computer to any network.

Not true. Win9x, WinMe, and WinXP Home machines _cannot_ be added to a
domain. Period.

It's hard to manage the computer if
it isn't part of domain

"Hard," as in "impossible."

but it cannot prevent you from connecting to the
domain resources.

Assuming the user has a valid set of domain credentials.

No roaming profile, no group policy etc

True.


but if you'd
create local account with domain user credentials for logon the domain would
be transparent for you.

Not so. The domain credentials would need to be re-entered for each
additional domain resource (shared folder, printer, etc.) that the user
wishes to access.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Jetro]

You misinterpret.
About domain credentials:
- if the client already have a connection to the server, no additional
verification is needed; if not:
- if there is a transitive trust between the server's and user's domains,
the server tries to use *domain\username|password* credentials; if it fails:
- plain *username|password* credentials are checked.
Some additional steps involve Guest account, and finally access token will
be created.
You mustn't re-submit the credentials every time neither in WXPH nor Me nor
9x.