Where to find your PC's name in Windows

Your PC's name is a label Windows uses to identify your computer on a network. You can find it in three places: the Settings app, System Properties, or the Command Prompt. The fastest route is Settings.

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then select the Settings app. Go to System in the left menu, then scroll down and click About. Look for the field labeled Device name — that is your PC's name. It is usually something like "DESKTOP-ABC1234" or a custom name you or your IT department created.

If you prefer System Properties, right-click This PC on your desktop or in File Explorer, select Properties, and look for Computer name under the Device name section. Both methods show the same information.

Finding your PC's name from Command Prompt

Command Prompt is useful if Settings is not responding or you need to check the name remotely. Press the Windows key, type "cmd", and open Command Prompt. Type the command hostname and press Enter — the name that appears is your PC's name.

You can also type systeminfo and press Enter to see a full list of system details, including the computer name at the top of the output. This method works the same way on any Windows version.

Key Takeaways

  • Your PC's name appears in Settings under System > About, labeled as Device name.
  • You can also find it by right-clicking This PC, selecting Properties, and looking for Computer name.
  • Command Prompt shows your PC's name when you type the command hostname and press Enter.
  • Your PC's name is used to identify your computer on a network and in shared folders or printers.
  • If you see a name you do not recognize, you can change it through Settings > System > About > Rename this PC.

Why your PC has a name

Windows assigns every computer a name so it can be found on a network. When you connect to shared printers, file folders, or other computers, Windows uses this name to locate your machine. If you are on a work network, your IT department may have set a specific name to track devices.

The default name is usually "DESKTOP-" followed by random characters, but you can change it to something more meaningful like "Home-Laptop" or "Office-PC". A clear name makes it easier to find your computer when you are sharing files or troubleshooting network problems.

How to change your PC's name

If you want to rename your computer, go to Settings > System > About and click the button labeled Rename this PC. 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 #.

After you type the new name, Windows will ask you to restart your computer for the change to take effect. Save any open work before you restart. Once your PC restarts, the new name will be active on your network.

Finding your PC's name on a network

If you need to find another computer's name on your network, open File Explorer and look in the left sidebar under Network. All computers connected to your network will appear here with their names. You can also go to Settings > System > About on that computer if you have physical access to it.

On a work network, your IT department or network administrator can tell you the names of all devices connected to the system. If you are trying to connect to a shared printer or folder and need the computer name, ask the person who set it up or check the printer's settings page.

What to do if you cannot find your PC's name

If Settings is not opening or Command Prompt is not responding, restart your computer first — this fixes most temporary issues. If the problem continues, try opening Command Prompt as an administrator: press the Windows key, type "cmd", right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator. Then type hostname again.

If your PC's name field is blank or shows an error, your Windows installation may be corrupted. In that case, contact your IT support team or a local computer repair service — they can diagnose the issue and restore the name if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my PC's name the same as my username?

No. Your username is the account you log into Windows with, while your PC's name is the label for the entire computer. You can have multiple user accounts on one PC, but the computer itself has only one name. You can see your username in Settings > Accounts > Your info.

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

No. Windows only allows letters, numbers, and hyphens in computer names. Spaces, periods, and symbols like @ or # will cause an error. If you want to separate words, use hyphens instead — for example, "Home-Office-PC" instead of "Home Office PC".

What happens if two computers have the same name on my network?

Windows will show a warning and may not let both computers connect to the network properly. If this happens, rename one of them through Settings > System > About > Rename this PC and restart. Each computer on a network needs a unique name.

Does changing my PC's name affect my files or programs?

No. Renaming your computer does not delete files, uninstall programs, or change any settings. It only changes how the computer is identified on the network. You will need to restart for the change to take effect, but everything else stays the same.