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I've tried to change a password on administrator account using Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\User Accounts\Change Your Password but can't set a password hint. When I clicked What is a password hint I could read

"Because your computer is on a domain, you can't create a password hint."

Then I've opened computer properties and saw that the computer belong to workgroup only not a domain. Then I've run gpresult /v and it has printed a domain name which is a computer name and <Local Computer>. Could you explain it, I want to know if my computer belong to a domain or not as I don't remember if I configured PDC when installed the server or not? Also I don't have Active Directory Services role added to the server roles. And how to get information about domain controlles without adding ADS role?

Roman C
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1 Answers1

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This sounds like an absolute mess. Firstly, there's no such thing as PDC and hasn't been for many years. Either you created a domain by adding the ADS role, you joined a domain, or you didn't. I find it bizarre that you can't remember if you built a Domain Controller or not.

If the computer properties shows it's in a workgroup, then that's where it is. For some purposes, it will take the local computer name as a "Domain Name" in lieu of being connected to an external Active Directory Domain.

For example, gpresult /v shows the following on my non-domain laptop:

RSOP data for DAN-LAPTOP\Dan on DAN-LAPTOP : Logging Mode
----------------------------------------------------------

OS Configuration:            Standalone Workstation
OS Version:                  6.2.9200
Site Name:                   N/A
Roaming Profile:             N/A
Local Profile:               C:\Users\Dan
Connected over a slow link?: No

I know this doesn't really help you, but why on Earth would you want to set a password hint?

Check this page: Start Menu -> Right Click on "Computer" -> Properties -> Advanced System Settings -> Computer Name -> Change

This is your definitive answer on whether that machine is joined to a domain or not

enter image description here

Dan
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  • Thanks, if it has any logic I wouldn't ask this question. I searched the net and can't find a suitable answer. PDC (Primary Domain Controller) seems to be on the server. I have not added ADS role. I have only DHCP, DNS, Remote Accces an Routing roles. "in lieu of being connected to an external Active Directory Domain" don't understand, I didn't connect to any external domain, it's a local server which has a external interface. – Roman C Aug 10 '13 at 17:02
  • The computer properties are correct - perhaps you could post a screenshot. – Dan Aug 10 '13 at 18:09
  • What a properties are you talking, don't understand. – Roman C Aug 10 '13 at 19:11
  • I've added the detail to the answer – Dan Aug 10 '13 at 22:01
  • yes, I have the same picture, but `gpresult` shows a domain name, and password hint is not working due to the message above. – Roman C Aug 10 '13 at 22:44
  • @RomanC please provide screenshots of both – Dan Aug 11 '13 at 10:13