How to Join a Workgroup in Windows 10

To join a workgroup in Windows 10, press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter. On the Computer Name tab, select Change, choose Workgroup, type the workgroup name, and select OK. Restart the PC when Windows asks. Every PC that should be in the same workgroup needs the same name.

Note: Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) now run until October 12, 2027. These steps still work on Windows 10, but upgrading to Windows 11 is the long-term way to keep getting security fixes.

What is a workgroup?

A workgroup is a simple way to group computers on a home or small-office network. Each PC keeps its own user accounts and settings; there is no central server. Windows 10 puts every PC in a workgroup called WORKGROUP by default, so most home PCs are already in the same one.

The workgroup name mainly affects how computers are grouped when you browse the network. It does not, on its own, share files or let other PCs sign in to yours. Sharing depends on network discovery, sharing settings, and accounts, covered below.

Step 1: Check your current workgroup

Press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter.
On the Computer Name tab, look at Workgroup.

You can also go to Settings > System > About and select Rename this PC (advanced), which opens the same window.

Step 2: Join or change the workgroup

On the Computer Name tab, select Change.
Under Member of, select Workgroup.
Type the workgroup name. Keep it short (15 characters or fewer) and avoid spaces and special characters. Capitalization doesn’t matter, but use the same spelling on every PC.
Select OK. You’ll see a message welcoming you to the workgroup.
Select OK again, close the window, and choose Restart Now.

You need an administrator account to make this change. While you’re in this window, you can also change the PC’s name so it is easy to recognize on the network.

Join a workgroup with PowerShell

Open Windows PowerShell as an administrator and run:

Add-Computer -WorkgroupName "OFFICE"

Replace OFFICE with your workgroup name, then restart with Restart-Computer. This is handy when you set up several PCs.

Step 3: Make sure the PCs can see each other

Being in the same workgroup isn’t enough to share files or printers. On each PC:

Set the network to Private. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Properties (or select your Wi-Fi or Ethernet network) and choose Private. Public networks hide the PC from others.
Turn on network discovery. Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings. Under the Private profile, select Turn on network discovery and Turn on file and printer sharing, then Save changes.
Share a folder. Right-click the folder, choose Properties > Sharing > Share, and add the people who should have access.
Use matching accounts or credentials. To open a shared folder, you sign in with an account that exists on the PC sharing it.

To open shared folders from another PC, see how to access a shared folder on a network in Windows 10.

Workgroup vs. domain vs. HomeGroup

Workgroup: peer-to-peer, each PC manages its own accounts. Works on Windows 10 Home and Pro.
Domain: PCs are managed by a central server (Active Directory) with shared accounts and policies. Common in businesses and requires Windows 10 Pro or higher. See how to join a domain in Windows 10.
HomeGroup: an older home-sharing feature that Microsoft removed in Windows 10 version 1803. Use workgroup sharing or OneDrive instead.

If the PC was in a domain, switching it to a workgroup removes it from the domain. Make sure you know the password of a local administrator account first, because domain accounts can no longer sign in afterward. Our guide on signing in with a local account instead of a domain account explains how.

Troubleshooting

Other PCs don’t show up in Network: confirm all PCs are on the same network and set to Private, and that network discovery is on. Restart each PC after changing the workgroup.
“Access denied” when opening a share: enter a user name and password for an account on the PC sharing the folder.
Change button is grayed out: you’re not signed in as an administrator.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to restart after joining a workgroup?

Yes. The new workgroup name takes effect after a restart.

Can Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs be in the same workgroup?

Yes. Use the same workgroup name on both. The steps on Windows 11 are nearly identical.

Kermit Matthews

Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.

He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.

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