How to Fix 'Computer Account Already Exists' Error in AD

In this guide, I will be showing you how to fix “the following error occurred attempting to rename the computer Account already exists”. An Active Directory (AD) domain is basically the same as an Internet domain. It “defines a realm of administrative autonomy, authority, and control” for a group of computers. Please how to fix “The logon attempt failed for the remote desktop connection“, and how to fix “An Attempt Was Made to Reference a Token That Does Not Exist” in Windows 10.

For how to set up a domain, see the following Active Directory: How to Setup a Domain Controller. Also for how to add a second DC, see the following How to add a second Domain Controller. For how to join a PC to a Domain, see the following Domain Join: How to join a computer to the Domain.

Active Directory Domain names are controlled by the same set of rules and principles, that govern traditional Domain Name Systems (DNS). The domain-based network provides centralized administration for corporate networks from a centralized location and this enables users to access only the resources for which they have been granted access.

Please see Batch rename multiple files on Windows, and how to fix WinRM cannot process the request: The following error occurred while using Kerberos authentication, cannot find the computer.

Reason for the Domain Join Error

For many reasons, you may want to rename your device (VM) and you will be prompted with the following error. This could be a result of the organization’s policies not being adhered to but not limited to this alone.

Error message indicating a failure to rename a computer due to an existing account.

Fix The following error occurred attempting to rename the computer Account already exists

The solution to fix this issue is to simply remove the device from the Domain and rejoined. Simply trying to rename it will NEVER work. Follow the following steps.

Under Advanced System settings and click on change.

Screenshot of Windows 10 System Properties showing computer name and workgroup settings, with options to change the computer name and workgroup.

Select Workgroup and enter the name in the Workgroup area

User interface dialog box for entering a workgroup name with 'OK' and 'Cancel' buttons.

Enter your credentials to confirm

Windows Security prompt for Computer Name/Domain Changes requiring username and password to remove a computer from the domain.

If you have the right credentials to perform this action, it will end up successfully.

A computer dialog box displaying a welcome message to a workgroup, titled 'Computer Name/Domain Changes', with an information icon and an 'OK' button.

After prompting the above dialog box, it will prompt you to restart

A pop-up notification alerting the user that a computer restart is required to apply changes to the computer name or domain, with instructions to save any open files and close all programs before restarting.

Click on Ok. Close all dialog boxes and Click on Restart Now

Windows alert message requesting a computer restart to apply changes, with options to 'Restart Now' or 'Restart Later'.

After the restart, you can now rejoin the device to the domain. Under Advanced System settings, and click on Change settings

Windows settings dialog box for renaming a computer or changing its domain or workgroup, featuring 'Change' button.

Enter the right domain name

A dialog box displaying options to join a computer to a domain or workgroup, with a highlighted input field for workgroup name.

Enter your credentials to complete the process. Please see how to create Alarm rules in VMware vSphere, how to fix the error 0xc1420117: The directory could not be completely unmounted, this is usually due to applications that still have files open within the mount directory, and how to perform LACP Configuration on Cisco 3650 Switch.

Windows Security prompt for entering username and password to join a domain, featuring input fields for user credentials and OK/Cancel buttons.

After successfully joining the domain, you will get a welcome message.

Error occurred while attempting to join the Domain

The same fix above is applicable to this error. Please, proceed and delete the Computer object and recreate a new Computer object in AD. Then, try to join the device back to the domain.

With this, the device or server will be pre-created and placed in your desired OU.

I hope you found this blog post on ‘The following error occurred attempting to rename the computer Account already exists’ helpful. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comment session.