How do I join my Windows Vista machine to a domain?

A. Just like Windows XP, after installation Vista is part of its own workgroup. To make it a member of a domain, perform these steps:

1. Open Control Panel (Start, Control Panel).
2. Select System and Maintenance.
3. Click the System section, as the figure shows.
4. . In the "Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings" section, click the "Change settings" link, as the figure shows.
5. If you're prompted by the User Account Control module to continue, click Continue, as the figure shows.
6. In the Computer Name tab of the properties, click the Change button.
7. In the "Member of" section, select Domain and enter the name of the domain and click OK.
8. You'll be prompted for an account with rights to join the computer to the domain. Enter the details and click OK, as the figure shows.
9. Click OK to the welcome dialog box.
10. Click OK to the notice that the machine will be rebooted.
11. Click Close to the dialog box.
12. Click Restart Now to the restart prompt.

Once the reboot is complete, the machine will be part of the nominated domain.