Windows 7: Workgroup Name - View and Change

   Information

When you set up a network, Windows automatically creates a workgroup and gives it a default name of WORKGROUP. You can join an existing workgroup on a network or create a new workgroup by changing your workgroup name. This will show you how to change the workgroup name on your computer.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to change your workgroup name.

   Note

Workgroups provide a basis for file and printer sharing, but do not actually set up sharing for you. In contrast, in Windows 7 and Windows 8 you can create or join a homegroup, which automatically turns on file and printer sharing on home networks. If you have a home network of only Windows 7 and Windows 8 computers, it is recommend to create or join a homegroup instead.

   Warning

• If your computer was a member of a domain before you joined the workgroup, it will be removed from the domain and your computer account on that domain will be disabled.
• Computers on a workgroup must have a unique computer name of their own so they can be identified by and communicate with each other.
• If your network includes computers running Windows XP, you might need to change the workgroup name on those computers to match the workgroup name on the computers running this version of Windows 7 or Windows Vista so that you can see and connect to all computers on your network.

1. Do step 2, 3, or 4 below for how you would like to open the System window.

2. In Windows 7, open the Start menu, right click on the Computer button, click on Properties, and go to step 5 below.

3. In Windows 8, open the (Win+X) Power Users Tasks Menu, click/tap on System, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)

4. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the System icon.

5. Click/tap on either Advanced System Settings in the left column, or Change settings link. (see screenshot below)

6. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.

7. Click/tap on the Computer Name tab, then click/tap on the Change button. (see screenshot below)

8. Select (dot) Workgroup under Member of. (see screenshot below)

9. To Join an Existing Workgroup

A) Type the name of the workgroup that you want to join, and then click/tap OK. (see screenshot above)
NOTE: Make sure the workgroup name is not more than 15 characters, and do not use characters like these:
` ~ @ # $ % ^ & ( ) = + [ ] { } | ; : , ‘ “ . < > / ?

10. To Create a New Workgroup

A) Type the name of the workgroup that you want to create, and then click/tap OK. (see screenshot above)
NOTE: Make sure the workgroup name is not more than 15 characters, and do not use characters like these:
` ~ @ # $ % ^ & ( ) = + [ ] { } | ; : , ‘ “ . < > / ?

11. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Notice the new workgroup name.

12. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: This does not restart the computer yet.

13. Click/tap on Close. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Notice the new workgroup name.

14. Click/tap on Restart Now. (see screenshot below)
WARNING: This will restart the computer immediately. Be sure that you save and close anything you have open first.

15. After the restart, verify the new workgroup name.