Overview
This article provides instructions on how to determine whether your computer is joined to an Active Directory domain, and, if so, whether you are logged in to the domain or to the local computer.
UAH's main Active Directory, managed by UAH OIT, is ds.uah.edu.
Click a link below to jump to a section.
Windows
Joined to AD?
Windows 11
Your Full Device Name will reveal whether your device is joined to an Active Directory domain:
- Open the Windows Settings app
- Visit System>About
- In the Device specifications section, your Full Device Name will be listed. Computers joined to a domain will have full device names appended with their domain. For example, devices joined to the primary UAH domain end in .ds.uah.edu
If you see a full device name ending in a domain other than ds.uah.edu, you may be part of a departmental Active Directory domain. If your full device name is not appended with a domain, or if a full device name does not appear in System>About, your device is likely not joined to an Active Directory domain.
Administrators can select Domain or workgroup to view additional details.
Windows 7, 8, 8.1, or 10
Your System information will reveal whether your device is joined to an Active Directory domain:
- Right click on the Computer icon
- Select Properties
- View the details under Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings
- If you are connected to a domain, you will see a Domain entry. If you instead see a Workgroup entry listed, your device is not joined to an Active Directory domain.
If you see a Domain entry other than ds.uah.edu, you may be part of a departmental Active Directory domain.
Signed in to AD?
Even if your computer is joined to the Active Directory, you may be logged in either to the Active Directory domain or to your local machine. Read below for instructions on how to check whether you are signed in with a domain account or a local account.
On Lock Screen
Before logging in, your Windows lock screen will reveal whether you are about to sign in to a domain or the local machine.
For example, users will typically see Sign in to: UAH if they are about to sign in to the primary UAH domain, ds.uah.edu.
Using Command Prompt
If you are already logged in to the computer, you can check whether you've signed in to a domain or the local machine using Command Prompt:
- In the Windows Start menu, search for cmd and press Enter to open the Command Prompt app
- In the Command Prompt window, enter the command set user and press Enter
- The USERDOMAIN and USERDNSDOMAIN entries display the domain name and absolute domain name for the domain you are currently signed in to, respectively. For example, these values are UAH and ds.uah.edu, respectively, for the primary UAH domain.
- If these entries display your device name (AKA hostname), you are signed in to the local machine rather than a domain.
macOS
Joined to AD?
- Open the Directory Utility app
- Use Spotlight Search to search for "Directory Utility" then click to open the Directory Utility.app
- Alternatively, in System Settings (called System Preferences on older macOS versions), select Users and Groups. In Network account server, select Edit. Then, select Open Directory Utility
- On the Search Policy tab, the Directory Domains your Mac is bound to will be listed. The primary UAH domain is displayed as /Active Directory/UAH/All Domains
If you see a Directory Domain entry other than /Local/Default (the local machine domain) or /Active Directory/UAH/All Domains, you may be part of a departmental Active Directory domain.
Signed in to AD?
Even if your computer is joined to the Active Directory, you may be logged in either to the Active Directory domain or to your local machine. Users and Groups may reveal whether you are using a local account or an AD-based account.
- Open System Settings (called System Preferences on older macOS versions)
- Select Users and Groups
- User accounts will be listed. If your user account displays a Mobile flag, it is likely this account is AD-based.
Still Need Help?
If you have additional questions about this topic, please contact the OIT Help Desk.