How to remove a computer from a domain

Ever wanted to run an old PC but found it connected to your work domain? Or maybe you tried to remove your computer from a domain that doesn’t exist but couldn’t.

Well, no need to look any further. In this article, we will explain in detail the methods you can use to disconnect your computer from the domain.

Remove your computer from the domain in Windows

There are several ways to remove your computer from the domain. Unlinking from a domain also deletes the domain account from your computer. Also, remember that you need the current user’s credentials to disconnect your computer from the domain.

Here are some methods to remove your computer from the domain in Windows.

Using System Properties

This is the easiest way to remove your computer from the domain. During this process, you change the computer’s membership from a domain to a workgroup.

Please follow the steps below to change your membership:

1. Press Windows + R to launch the run command. Type sysdm.cpl and press Enter. It will open System properties.
2. In the Computer Name tab, click Change.
3. Test Working team radio button and enter the workgroup name.
4. Click OK. Then confirm with Ok for the prompt.

Via Settings

The Your PC Settings app also provides a convenient interface for disconnecting from a domain. To remove your computer from the domain via Settings,

1. Press Windows + I to launch Setting application.
2. Click Account.
3. Locate and select Visit work or school.
4. Click on the domain you are connected to and select Disconnect.
5. Confirm with Yes. Then choose Disconnect from the next dialog box.

After you disconnect from the domain, your system places your computer as a member of a workgroup named WORKGROUP.

With Windows PowerShell

It is also possible to use the command line interface to remove your computer from the domain. You may prefer this method if you find navigating through the GUI troublesome.

Here’s how you can disconnect from a domain through Windows PowerShell:

1. Press Windows + X to open the Quick Links menu and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. Paste the command below and press Enter to execute:
   Remove-Computer -UnjoinDomaincredential <Domain Name>\Administrator -PassThru -Verbose -Restart -Force
3. Guaranteed replacement <Domain Name> with the domain you want to disconnect.
4. Enter the domain credentials and click Ok to continue.
5. Next, type Y and press Enter to confirm.
6. Restart your PC.

Remove computers from your domain in Windows

Here are some methods to remove the connected computer from your Windows domain.

Note: You need to be logged in to the domain controller as an administrator to delete any joined computers.

Via Active Directory Users and Computers

This is the usual method for removing a connected computer from your domain. Here’s how you can use Active Directory Computers and Users to delete computers:

1. Sign in to your Domain Controller as the Domain administrator.
2. Go Server Management > Tools > activating users and computers.
3. Expand your domain and choose Computer.
4. Right click on the computer you want to remove and select Delete.
5. Confirm with Yes.

With Command Prompt

You can also use the command line interface to remove computers from a domain. You can use Command Prompt from a domain controller to do so. Here are the steps for this method:

1. Open Elevate Command Prompt. You can do so by searching for it in the search bar and running it as administrator.
2. Enter below command while replacing with the computer name you want to delete:
   net computer \\<computer name> /del
3. To remove a computer from an Active Directory domain, enter the command:
   netdom remove <computer> /d:<domain> /reboot. Please ensure that you enter the appropriate substitutions for and .

Remove your computer from the domain in Mac

You can use the Directory Utility tool to disconnect your computer from the Active Directory domain in Mac. Please take the following steps to do so:

1. Press Command + Spacebar to open Focus search.
2. Search and open Utilities Folder.
3. Go Service navigation.
4. Click the padlock icon and enter your password.
5. Double click Active Directory and click Unbind.
6. Re-enter your password.
7. Click Ok to apply the changes.

Related question

How do I disconnect my computer if I can’t remember my domain credentials?

You don’t actually need your domain account credentials to remove your computer from the domain. Authentication provided by your local admin user should be sufficient. Please use them when your system asks for a password while applying the above methods.

Can I convert a domain account to a local account?

Microsoft used to provide a Windows Easy Transfer tool, which you can use to convert a domain account to a local account and vice versa. However, Windows 10+ no longer includes this feature. You’ll have to use a third-party app if you want to switch your account.

However, it is possible to copy user registration files and settings to a new local account. Then, deleting your domain users will yield the same results as switching accounts. Follow the steps below to perform this method:

1. Create a local account.
2. After that, restart your PC and log in as another local administrator.
3. Open Run and enter systempropertiesadvanced.
4. Find User Profile and click Setting under it.
5. Click on the domain user and select Copy to.
6. Choose Browse and navigate to the new local user’s profile. Then click Ok.
7. Now choose Change. Then click Advanced.
8. Click Find now to view the list of users. Select the new user and click Ok.
9. Click Ok on all windows to close them while applying the changes.

Is it possible to remove Domain Group policy from my system?

Domain Group Policy can force many restrictions on your computer. However, it is possible to remove such restrictions using the Registry Editor. Here is how you can do so:

1. enter regedit on Run.
2. Navigate to the following keys and delete them:
   • Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft
   • Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft
   • Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Group Policy Objects
   • Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies