A Note About Workgroups

• Workgroups in Windows XP can be wonderful if you know how to use them. They are ways of classifying computers within a network. Being in the same workgroup as another computer, and with the right permissions, can let you interact with the computer remotely just as you would interact with your own computer. Bear in mind that networking is a process that takes some getting used to, and workgroups are among those things you cannot do without in a network.
  
  

Three Ways to Access the Computer Properties Dialog

• This is the simplest way to access the Computer Properties dialog.
  
  In order to join a particular workgroup in Windows XP, you will need to access the same dialog you change your computer name with. There are three ways to do this: through the Start menu, through the Control Panel and through the "Run..." feature built in your operating system.
  
  To access the Computer Properties dialog using the Start menu, you go to the Start menu and then right-click "My Computer" and click "Properties."
  
  To do this through the Control Panel, you can go to the Start menu, click the Control Panel, access "Performance and Maintenance" and open "System" by clicking on it. If your control panel is in "classic view," you should skip the step where you access "Performance and Maintenance," since "System" will show up on your control panel window.
  
  If you want to run the dialog directly, you can hold down the "Win" key (the key with the Windows icon on your keyboard) and press "R." When the "Run" dialog shows up, write "sysdm.cpl" and click "OK."
  
  It does not matter which method you use to access your Computer Properties dialog. From here on in, the process is the same for all computers using any of the three methods.
  
  

Changing the Workgroup

• Computer Properties dialog with the Computer Name tab selected
  
  Once you have accessed the Computer Properties dialog, click the "Computer Name" tab. You should have a button near the middle of the dialog labeled "Change." Here you can change the computer's name as it shows in the network and your workgroup. If you want to establish a new workgroup name, you will have to repeat this process on all other computers that you would like on your network's group. If you are simply joining an existing workgroup, you should write the appropriate workgroup name in the text box. It is recommended that you restart your computer after you change the workgroup name so that the changes apply correctly.