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In Windows, the computer name is shown in Settings as the Device name. Find it at Settings > System > About; to rename a personal PC, choose Rename this PC on that page and restart Windows when prompted.
What the computer name means
The computer name identifies the Windows PC to network and system-management tools. Windows Settings calls it the Device name; Command Prompt and other tools may call it the computer name or host name. These usually refer to the same machine identifier.
It is different from your Windows user name or Microsoft account name, the PC’s hardware model, its IP address, and your Wi-Fi network name (SSID). Renaming the PC does not change those values. Microsoft’s computer-name overview describes its role as identifying a computer on a network.
Find the computer name in Settings
- Open Settings (or right-click Start and choose Settings).
- Select System > About.
- Under Device specifications, read Device name.
This is the simplest method on Windows 11 and Windows 10. The wording may say “Device name” rather than “Computer name”; it is the value most people mean when asking for the PC’s computer name. See Microsoft’s guide to finding information about a Windows device.
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Find it with Command Prompt
For a quick check, open Command Prompt and run:
hostnameWindows prints the local computer’s host name. In a batch file or Command Prompt script, you can also use:
echo %COMPUTERNAME%The result is generally the same, though capitalization may differ. Microsoft documents both approaches in its hostname command reference.
Find it in System Information
If you are collecting details for technical support, System Information provides the name alongside other system details:
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- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter
msinfo32and press Enter. - In the System Summary, find System Name.
Microsoft explains the System Information (msinfo32.exe) tool.
Change the computer name in Settings
For a personally managed PC, use the built-in rename option:
- Save your work. An immediate restart will close open applications.
- Open Settings > System > About.
- Select Rename this PC.
- Enter the new name and select Next.
- Choose Restart now to finish immediately, or Restart later and restart when convenient.
The name change may not be reflected throughout Windows until the PC restarts. Choosing “Restart later” postpones that step; it does not rename your Windows account or profile. For Microsoft’s steps, see Rename your Windows device.
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Choose a valid, useful name
Microsoft’s Rename-Computer documentation describes standard computer names using letters, numbers, and hyphens, with these restrictions: no spaces or periods, the name cannot consist entirely of digits, and it cannot exceed 63 characters. Domain, legacy-network, or company rules may impose additional limits.
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Rename with PowerShell
For administration or repeatable tasks, open PowerShell as an administrator. Preview the proposed operation first if you want to check it without applying the change:
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Rename-Computer -NewName "New-PC-Name" -WhatIfTo apply it and restart the PC:
Rename-Computer -NewName "New-PC-Name" -RestartReplace New-PC-Name with a valid name. To apply the change without an automatic restart, omit -Restart and restart manually afterward. The cmdlet also supports options for credentials and targeting computers; use those only when you understand the environment and have the necessary permissions. See Microsoft’s Rename-Computer reference.
Use the classic Computer Name dialog
If Settings is unavailable or its rename control is restricted, the classic System Properties dialog may provide a fallback:
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- On the Computer Name tab, select Change.
- Enter the new name in the computer-name field, confirm the prompts, and restart when Windows requests it.
That dialog also contains domain and workgroup membership controls. If you only intend to rename the PC, change the computer-name field and leave the Member of selection alone. Microsoft documents the classic controls in its domain-join guidance.
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When the PC is managed by work or school
A domain-joined or otherwise managed PC may require local administrator rights, permission to rename the computer object, domain credentials, and connectivity to the organization’s network. Naming conventions and device-management systems can also affect what happens after the rename. If the device belongs to an employer or school, contact IT rather than changing domain membership or experimenting with domain commands.
For authorized administrators, Microsoft documents netdom renamecomputer for renaming a domain workstation or member server and its corresponding domain account. Microsoft warns not to use it to rename an Active Directory domain controller, because that can prevent the controller from functioning correctly as a domain controller.
Troubleshooting a rename
| What you see | What to check |
|---|---|
| “Rename this PC” is missing or unavailable | Check whether the PC is managed by work or school, whether your account has the needed privileges, and whether you are in local Windows Settings rather than an online Microsoft account device list. Try the classic Computer Name dialog only if you are authorized; ask IT about a managed device. |
| The name is rejected | Remove spaces, periods, and unsupported punctuation; do not use a name made only of digits; keep it within 63 characters; and check for an existing or organization-prohibited name. |
| “Access is denied” | For a personal PC, verify that the terminal is elevated or use an account with permission. For a domain PC, local administrator rights alone may not grant permission to rename its domain object; domain access and authorized credentials may be required. |
| The old name still appears | Restart Windows if you have not already. Then reopen Command Prompt, PowerShell, or System Information. An application may cache the old value; network, DNS, inventory, or management systems may take longer to reflect the change or require separate updates. |
| A shortcut, mapped drive, or shared resource no longer uses the expected name | A PC rename does not automatically update every saved path, shortcut, DNS record, or management inventory entry. Check the resource’s actual path and update saved references or ask the network administrator as appropriate. |
Changing the computer name does not change the PC’s IP address, router’s Wi-Fi name, user account name, or hardware model. It is also not a substitute for authentication, encryption, or other security protections.
Windows 10 note: The Settings lookup and rename steps apply to Windows 10 as well as Windows 11. Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025; the operating system continues to work, but standard support and security updates have ended. See Microsoft’s current Windows device information page for details.
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