PowerShell New-ADComputer: Create AD Computer Objects Guide
• 2 min read
powershell active-directory new-adcomputer computer-management tutorial
PowerShell New-ADComputer: Complete Guide to Creating AD Computer Objects
Overview
The New-ADComputer cmdlet creates new computer accounts in Active Directory. It’s used to prestage computers before joining the domain or to create computer objects for non-domain resources.
Common Tasks:
- Prestage computer accounts before deployment
- Create computer objects in specific OUs
- Pre-configure computer properties
- Set permissions before deployment
- Organize computers by location/type
Prerequisites:
- PowerShell 5.1 or later
- Active Directory PowerShell module
- Administrator permissions for the OU
- Target OU must exist
Syntax
New-ADComputer [-Name] <string> [-SamAccountName <string>] [-Path <string>] [-Enabled <bool>] [-Description <string>]
```powershell
### Key Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|-----------|------|-------------|
| `-Name` | String | Computer display name |
| `-SamAccountName` | String | Pre-Windows 2000 name (max 15 chars) |
| `-Path` | String | OU distinguished name where to create |
| `-Enabled` | Boolean | Enable account immediately (default: false) |
| `-Description` | String | Computer description |
---
## Examples
### Example 1: Prestage Basic Computer
```powershell
New-ADComputer -Name "WS-NYC-001" -SamAccountName "WS-NYC-001"
```powershell
**Result:** Creates computer object in default computers container
### Example 2: Prestage in Specific OU
```powershell
$ouPath = "OU=Workstations,OU=Computers,DC=contoso,DC=com"
New-ADComputer -Name "WS-NYC-001" -SamAccountName "WS-NYC-001" -Path $ouPath
```powershell
**Result:** Creates computer in specific OU
### Example 3: Prestage with Description
```powershell
$ouPath = "OU=Workstations,OU=Computers,DC=contoso,DC=com"
New-ADComputer -Name "WS-NYC-001" `
-SamAccountName "WS-NYC-001" `
-Path $ouPath `
-Description "Workstation for NYC office - User TBD"
```powershell
**Result:** Prestages computer with descriptive information
### Example 4: Bulk Prestage Computers
```powershell
$ouPath = "OU=Workstations,OU=Computers,DC=contoso,DC=com"
for ($i = 1; $i -le 10; $i++) {
$name = "WS-NYC-$('{0:D3}' -f $i)"
New-ADComputer -Name $name -SamAccountName $name -Path $ouPath
Write-Host "Created: $name"
}
```powershell
**Result:** Creates 10 computer objects (WS-NYC-001 through WS-NYC-010)
### Example 5: Prestage from CSV
```powershell
$csv = Import-Csv "C:\computers.csv"
$ouPath = "OU=Workstations,OU=Computers,DC=contoso,DC=com"
foreach ($item in $csv) {
New-ADComputer -Name $item.Name `
-SamAccountName $item.Name `
-Path $ouPath `
-Description $item.Location
Write-Host "Created: $($item.Name)"
}
```powershell
**Result:** Prestages computers from CSV file
### Example 6: Server Prestaging
```powershell
$ouPath = "OU=Servers,OU=Computers,DC=contoso,DC=com"
New-ADComputer -Name "SRV-PROD-SQL01" `
-SamAccountName "SRV-PROD-SQL01" `
-Path $ouPath `
-Description "Production SQL Server - Rack A3"
```powershell
**Result:** Prestages production server account
### Example 7: Computer with Enabled Account
```powershell
$ouPath = "OU=Workstations,OU=Computers,DC=contoso,DC=com"
New-ADComputer -Name "WS-NYC-001" `
-SamAccountName "WS-NYC-001" `
-Path $ouPath `
-Enabled $true
```powershell
**Result:** Creates computer and enables immediately
### Example 8: Error Handling
```powershell
try {
$ouPath = "OU=Workstations,OU=Computers,DC=contoso,DC=com"
New-ADComputer -Name "WS-NYC-001" `
-SamAccountName "WS-NYC-001" `
-Path $ouPath `
-ErrorAction Stop
Write-Host "✓ Computer created successfully"
}
catch {
if ($_.Exception.Message -like "*already exists*") {
Write-Host "✗ Computer already exists"
}
else {
Write-Host "✗ Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"
}
}
```powershell
---
## Best Practices
✅ **Prestage before deployment** - Set permissions in advance
✅ **Use consistent naming** - Follows dept/location/number pattern
✅ **Organize in OUs** - By location, type, or department
✅ **Set descriptions** - Document computer purpose
✅ **Verify OU exists** - Check path before creation
---
## Related Commands
- **[Get-ADComputer](/powershell-get-adcomputer)** - Query computers
- **[Set-ADComputer](/powershell-set-adcomputer)** - Modify computers
- **[Remove-ADComputer](/powershell-remove-adcomputer)** - Delete computers
---
## See Also
- **[Get-ADComputer](/powershell-get-adcomputer)** - Query computers
- **[Active Directory Computer Management](/active-directory-computer-management)** - Computer guide
---
**Last Updated:** February 6, 2026
**Difficulty Level:** Intermediate
**Reading Time:** 8 minutes