Change your PC name through Settings

The fastest way to rename your PC is through the Settings app. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then select the Settings app. Go to System in the left sidebar, scroll down, and click Rename your PC near the bottom of the page. Type the new name you want—it can be up to 63 characters and can include letters, numbers, and hyphens, but not spaces or special characters like @, #, or $. Click Next, then Rename now. Windows will ask you to restart your computer to explore the change.

After you restart, your PC will use the new name. You'll see it reflected in File Explorer at the top of the window, in network settings, and when you connect to Wi-Fi networks or shared folders. The change takes effect when ready after the restart—you don't need to do anything else.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app is the easiest method: go to System, click Rename your PC, type the new name, and restart.
  • PC names can be up to 63 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and hyphens, but not spaces or special characters.
  • Your computer must restart for the name change to take effect.
  • If Settings doesn't work, you can rename your PC through System Properties by right-clicking This PC and selecting Properties.
  • Changing your PC name does not affect your files, programs, or user account—it only changes how the computer identifies itself on a network.

Rename your PC using System Properties

If the Settings method doesn't work or you prefer the older interface, you can rename your PC through System Properties. Right-click This PC on your desktop or in File Explorer and select Properties. Look for the section that shows your current PC name, usually near the top. Click the Rename this PC button (or in older Windows versions, click Change settings and then Change next to the computer name).

A dialog box will open where you can type the new name. Follow the same naming rules: up to 63 characters, letters and numbers only, no spaces or special characters. Click Next, then Finish. Windows will prompt you to restart. Click Restart now to explore the change when ready, or Restart later if you want to finish what you're doing first—but the new name won't work until you do restart.

What happens when you change your PC name

Changing your PC name is a surface-level change that affects how your computer identifies itself on a network and in shared folders, but it doesn't touch your files, programs, or user account. Your Documents folder, Desktop, installed software, and user profile all stay exactly as they are. You won't lose any data or need to reinstall anything.

The new name will show up in File Explorer, in network settings, and when you connect to shared printers or network drives. If you're part of a workplace network or domain, check with your IT department before changing the name—some organizations require specific naming conventions or may need to update their records.

Common naming mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is trying to use spaces in your PC name. Windows doesn't allow spaces—if you type "My Computer," Windows will reject it or automatically remove the spaces. Use hyphens or underscores instead: "My-Computer" or "My_Computer" both work fine.

Avoid special characters like @, #, $, %, &, *, or parentheses. These can cause problems when your PC connects to networks or shared folders. Stick to letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), and hyphens. Also avoid names that are too long—while Windows allows up to 63 characters, shorter names are easier to remember and less likely to cause issues with older software or network devices.

Rename your PC if you can't access Settings

If Settings won't open or you're running an older version of Windows, you can rename your PC through the command line. Press the Windows key and type "cmd," right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator. Type the command: wmic computersystem where name="%computername%" call rename name="NewName", replacing "NewName" with your desired PC name. Press Enter, and Windows will confirm the change. You'll need to restart for it to take effect.

This method works on any version of Windows and is useful if your Settings app is damaged or not responding. The command line approach is also faster if you're renaming multiple computers in a workplace setting.

Rename your PC on a network or domain

If your PC is part of a workplace network or Active Directory domain, renaming it is more complicated and may require administrator permission. Contact your IT department or network administrator before changing the name—they may need to update network records, security settings, or device management systems. Renaming a domain-connected PC without permission can cause connection problems or lock you out of shared resources.

For home networks, renaming your PC is straightforward and won't affect your ability to share files or printers with other computers on the same Wi-Fi network. The new name will appear in the network list on other devices within a few minutes of the restart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my PC name affect my files or programs?

No. Your files, programs, user account, and all your data stay exactly the same. Changing the PC name only changes how the computer identifies itself on a network—it's purely cosmetic from your perspective.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my PC name?

No. Windows only allows letters, numbers, and hyphens. Spaces and special characters like @, #, $, or % will be rejected or cause network problems. Use hyphens or underscores to separate words instead.

Do I have to restart my computer right away?

Yes, the new name won't take effect until you restart. You can choose to restart when ready or later, but the change won't be active until the restart happens. Some network features may not work properly until then.

What if I forget what I named my PC?

You can see your current PC name in Settings under System, or by right-clicking This PC and selecting Properties. The name also appears in File Explorer at the top of the window and in network settings.

Can I change my PC name back to the original?

Yes. Follow the same steps and type the original name (or any name you want). There's no limit to how many times you can rename your PC, and no record is kept of previous names.