Why does MSMQ think I'm on a workgroup computer?

I know this is late, and there is already an accepted answer, but I just had this issue and it was resolved by changing the format of the queue string.

When my queue name was this, I got the workgroup error:

".\QueueName"

When I changed it to a more formal version, there was no error and sending to the queue worked:

"FormatName:DIRECT=OS:ComputerName\private$\QueueName"

Just in case someone else comes across this post, now they have something else to try...


I got the same problem and solved it by changing it to @".\private$\QueueName"


Being part of a domain is a pre-cursor for installing MSMQ in AD-integrated mode. It doesn't guarantee MSMQ IS installed in AD-integrated mode. MSMQ will install in workgroup mode if:

  1. AD integration was not selected as a setup option
  2. AD integration was selected but failed to initialise; check event logs

Yes, the workgroup name is confusing in a domain member situation.