Change Your Computer Name on Windows 10

Changing your computer name gives your Windows 10 PC a more recognizable label on your home or work network and in places such as device lists. You can rename it in Settings or System Properties; save your work first, because Windows requires a restart before the new name takes effect.

What You’ll Need

• Access to the Windows 10 computer you want to rename.
• An administrator account or permission to approve the change. If the PC is managed by an organization, its administrator may control its name.
• A few minutes to restart the computer after renaming it.

Step-by-Step

1. Save your work and check the current name. Close or save open documents and apps. To see the current computer name, open Settings > System > About. Under Device specifications, find Device name. You can also search Windows for “About your PC” and open that page.
2. Open the rename control. On the About page, select Rename this PC. If you cannot find the button, open Settings > System > About and scroll if necessary. The Settings search box can also help: search for “rename your PC.”
3. Enter a suitable name. In the dialog, type the new computer name and select Next. Use a short, descriptive name that helps you identify the device, such as “Office-PC” or “Kitchen-Laptop.” Windows computer names can use letters, numbers and hyphens. Avoid spaces and punctuation, and do not begin or end the name with a hyphen. Keep it within Windows’ 15-character computer-name limit for broad network compatibility.
4. Choose when to restart. Windows will tell you that you need to restart for the change to apply. Select Restart now if your work is saved, or Restart later if you need to finish something first. Until you restart, some screens or network services may still show the old name.
5. Confirm the new name after restarting. Return to Settings > System > About and check Device name. If the new name is shown, the rename has taken effect. If a particular app or network list still shows the old name, give it time to refresh or reconnect the device.

Common Mistakes

• Using spaces or unusual punctuation. A Windows computer name is not a display name. Stick to letters, digits and hyphens; avoid spaces, underscores and symbols that may cause compatibility problems with network devices or software.
• Making the name too long. Names over 15 characters may not work consistently with older network services and devices. A concise name is easier to recognize and avoids that compatibility issue.
• Forgetting to restart. Choosing Restart later postpones the change from taking full effect. Restart when convenient, then check the name again.
• Confusing your sign-in name with your computer name. Renaming the PC does not change the name of your Microsoft account, local user account, or files. Those are separate settings.
• Renaming a work-managed device without checking. An organization may apply device names through its management system. A local change could be blocked or later replaced by an administrator’s policy.

Tips

• Choose a name that identifies the device without including sensitive personal details. It may be visible to other devices and people on networks you join.
• If you have several computers, use a consistent naming pattern, such as a room or purpose followed by a short identifier. Make sure each device name is different on your network.
• After the restart, reconnect shared folders, printers or other network resources if they were set up using the old computer name. Their connection settings may refer to the old name.
• For an uncomplicated home PC, use the Settings method above. System Properties is a useful alternative when you need to see the computer’s domain or workgroup details as well.

Troubleshooting

The Rename this PC button is missing or unavailable: Confirm that you are in Settings > System > About. If the option is blocked, sign in with an administrator account or ask the person who manages the PC. On a work or school device, follow your organization’s process rather than trying to override its controls.

Windows says the name is invalid: Shorten it and use only letters, numbers and hyphens. Remove spaces and other punctuation, and make sure the name does not start or end with a hyphen. Try a different name if another device on your network already uses it.

The old name still appears: Restart the PC if you have not already done so. Then check Settings > System > About. Network devices and apps can cache names, so disconnecting and reconnecting, refreshing their device list, or restarting the related app may be necessary.

The change seems to have reverted: A work or school management policy may be restoring the assigned name. Contact your organization’s IT administrator. On a personal computer, verify the name again after a full restart and retry the change if Windows did not apply it.

A shared printer or folder stopped working: The computer may still be referenced by its old name in the connection. Update the connection to use the new name, or remove and add the shared resource again using its current network address. If you are unsure how it is configured, ask the person who set it up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my computer name delete files or apps?
No. Renaming the PC changes its device name, not your files, installed apps or user account.

Do I have to restart Windows?
Yes. Windows requires a restart for the new name to take effect fully. Save your work before restarting.

Can I use spaces in a Windows 10 computer name?
No. Use letters, numbers and hyphens instead. A short name of 15 characters or fewer is the most compatible choice.

Does the computer name change my Microsoft account name?
No. The device name and the name associated with your Microsoft account are separate. Renaming the PC does not change how you sign in.

Can I change the name back?
Yes. Repeat the steps and enter the previous name, then restart Windows again.

Why is my work computer’s name locked?
Your organization may manage device names. Contact its IT administrator to request a change; local settings may be restricted or reset by policy.

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