Issue SharePoint 2013: The username is invalid. The account must be a valid domain account

When configuring SharePoint 2013 in “Complete” mode you get a “The username is invalid. The account mist be a valid domain account” when using a local account to configure the farm…

Figure: You need a domain to create a farm

The implication is that only Domains are supported.

Applies To

• SharePoint 2013

Findings

Out of the box SharePoint only supports “Stand-alone” mode for non domain environments, but this forces you to use SQL Server 2008 R2 Express Edition which is most cases is unacceptable.

Figure: “Stand-alone” used SQL Server 2008 R2 Express Edition

The UI is designed for the happy path and you need to drop to the command line to do anything else.

Solution

Use a PowerShell command to create the initial configuration of the farm with a local account:

1. Start the SharePoint PowerShell
2. Run “New-SPConfigurationDatabase” from the command line and follow the instructions

   
   Figure: New-SPConfigurationDatabase creates the farm for you

   This will create the farm and configure the necessary accounts.

3. Rerun the Configurtion wizard

   After it finishes start the Config Wizard (interactive or not) and configure your server with all components

   
   Figure: Just don’t disconnect from this server farm

This works just fine with SQL Server 2012.

Did this help you?