Windows client networking matching lab

Match workgroup, domain join, UNC, and metered connection; leave proxy-for-SMB and fake-domain unused.

Match each Windows client networking ticket. Leave proxy-for-SMB and fake-domain unused.

CompTIA 1.7 covers workgroup vs domain, UNC shares, metered links, proxy, and firewall profile awareness on the client.

Two home PCs need share access without a domain

Peer workgroup, not AD join.

Corp laptop must get GPO and domain credentials

Join the Active Directory domain.

Map Finance shares by path, not drive-letter hunting

\\server\share style path.

LTE adapter burns the data cap with Windows Update

Mark the connection metered.

Still on the bench

Workgroup membership — same name, local accounts/shares — SOHO peer sharing without a domain controller.
Domain join — Access work or school / System Properties — GPO, domain users, and Kerberos need a real join.
UNC path \\server\share — map or open without hunting letters — Universal Naming Convention beats which letter did they use.
Set connection as metered — pause hungry Updates/sync — Cellular/hotspot caps: metered tells Windows to hold back.
Point Internet Options proxy at the file server for SMB — HTTP proxy is for web. SMB shares are UNC/firewall — not proxy.
Rename the workgroup to CORP and call it domain-joined — A workgroup name is not Active Directory. Join or do not.