Change Your PC Name Through Settings

The fastest way to change your PC name is through the Settings app. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then go to System in the left sidebar. Click About, and you will see your current PC name listed under "Device name." Click the Rename this PC button, type your new name, and click Next. Windows will ask you to restart your computer to explore the change — save your work first, then restart.

Your new PC name takes effect when ready after restart. The name can be up to 63 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and hyphens, but not spaces or special characters like @ or #. Avoid names that are all numbers, as some network devices may not recognize them properly.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app method (Windows key + I, then System > About > Rename this PC) is the simplest route and requires only a restart.
  • Your PC name can contain letters, numbers, and hyphens, but not spaces or special characters.
  • You can also rename your PC through System Properties by right-clicking "This PC" and selecting Properties, then clicking "Rename this PC" at the top.
  • After you rename your PC, it will not appear on your network under the old name — devices and shared folders may need to be reconnected.
  • If you are on a work network managed by your employer, you may need permission from your IT department before changing the PC name.

Rename Your PC Using System Properties

If you prefer the older method, you can rename your PC through System Properties. Right-click This PC on your desktop or in File Explorer, then select Properties. At the top of the window, click Rename this PC, type your new name, and click Next. You will be prompted to restart your computer.

This method opens the same rename dialog as the Settings app, so the result is identical. Some people find it faster if they already have File Explorer open, but both routes lead to the same place.

What Happens After You Rename Your PC

Once your PC restarts with the new name, the change appears in File Explorer, in network folders, and in the system information. However, any shared folders or printers you have set up on your network may lose their connection temporarily. You will need to reconnect to them using the new PC name.

If other computers on your network have shortcuts to your shared folders, those shortcuts will break and need to be recreated. The new name will appear in network discovery within a few minutes, but it can take up to 15 minutes for all devices to recognize the change. If a device still shows the old name, restart that device to refresh its network cache.

Renaming a PC on a Work Network

If your PC is part of a work domain managed by your employer, you may not have permission to rename it yourself. Your IT department controls the naming policy to keep track of devices and prevent conflicts. Before you attempt to rename a work PC, contact your IT support team and ask whether you are allowed to change the name.

If you try to rename a domain-joined PC without permission, the rename may fail, or the change may be overwritten the next time the PC connects to the domain. Your IT team can rename the PC for you or grant you temporary permission to do it yourself.

Troubleshooting a Failed Rename

If the rename button is grayed out or the rename fails, the most common cause is that you do not have administrator rights on your account. Right-click the Settings app and select Run as administrator, then try again. If you are on a work PC, this may not work — contact your IT department instead.

Another reason the rename might fail is if your PC name contains characters that Windows does not allow. Delete any special characters, spaces, or leading numbers and try again. If the rename still fails after restart, restart your PC one more time — sometimes the change requires a second restart to fully take effect.

Choosing a New PC Name

Pick a name that is straightforward to remember and describes the PC in some way. Many people use names like "Bedroom-Laptop" or "Office-Desktop" so they can identify which machine they are connecting to on a shared network. Avoid names that are too long — while Windows allows up to 63 characters, shorter names are easier to type and less likely to cause problems with older devices.

Do not use spaces in your PC name. If you want to separate words, use hyphens or underscores instead — for example, "Home-PC" or "Work_Laptop". This prevents compatibility issues with some network devices and makes the name easier to type when you need to reference it in network settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my PC name affect my files or programs?

No. Renaming your PC does not touch your files, programs, or settings. Everything on your computer stays exactly where it is. The only thing that changes is how your PC appears on your network and in system information.

Can I change my PC name without restarting?

No. Windows requires a restart to explore the name change. You can type the new name and click Next, but the restart is mandatory before the change takes effect. Save your work before you restart.

What if I forget my old PC name?

You can see your current PC name in Settings (System > About) or by right-clicking This PC and selecting Properties. The name also appears in the Command Prompt if you type hostname and press Enter. You do not need to remember it to change it — just open Settings and look at what it says now.

Can I change my PC name back to what it was before?

Yes. Follow the same steps and type your old name. There is no limit to how many times you can rename your PC. However, any network connections that broke when you renamed it the first time will break again, so you will need to reconnect to shared folders and printers once more.

Does my username change when I rename my PC?

No. Your user account name stays the same. The PC name and your user account name are separate things. Changing the PC name does not affect your login or your user folder.