How to change your computer name

Your computer name is the label that identifies your device on a network and appears in file-sharing dialogs, printer connections, and system settings. You can change it yourself in a few minutes using built-in system tools — no special software or technical knowledge required. The steps differ between Windows and Mac, but both are straightforward.

On Windows, you access the name through Settings. On Mac, you use System Settings. Either way, you will need to restart your computer for the change to take effect, and you should know your admin password before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • Your computer name is visible to other devices on your network and in shared folders, so choose something you will recognize later.
  • Windows computers are renamed through Settings > System > About, where you click "Rename this PC" and restart.
  • Mac computers are renamed through System Settings > General > About, where you click "Edit" next to the computer name and restart.
  • The change takes effect only after you restart, and any active network connections will drop during the restart.
  • Computer names can contain letters, numbers, and hyphens, but not spaces or special characters like @ or #.

Renaming a Windows computer

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Once Settings opens, click System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click About.

On the About page, you will see your current computer name listed under "Device name". Click the blue Rename this PC button. A text box will appear with your current name highlighted. Delete the old name and type the new one. Computer names can be up to 63 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and hyphens, but not spaces or special characters.

Click Next after you type the new name. Windows will ask you to restart your computer. You can click Restart now to restart when ready, or Restart later if you need to save work first. The name change does not take effect until you restart.

After your computer restarts, the new name will appear in Settings, in file explorer, and on your network. If you are connected to a workplace network, your IT department may have restrictions on what names are allowed — if the rename fails with an error message, contact them before trying again.

Renaming a Mac computer

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). In the sidebar, click General, then click the About tab.

You will see your current computer name listed as "Computer Name" near the top of the window. Click the Edit button next to it. A text box will appear. Delete the old name and type the new one. Mac names follow the same rules as Windows: up to 63 characters, letters and numbers only, no spaces or special characters.

Click OK to save the change. Unlike Windows, Mac does not require a restart for the name change to take effect in most cases, but you may need to restart if you are using file sharing or network services. If you are on a corporate network managed by your IT department, the rename may fail — contact them if you see an error.

What characters and length work in a computer name

Computer names can be up to 63 characters long on both Windows and Mac. You can use uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numbers. Hyphens are allowed, but spaces are not. Special characters like @, #, $, %, &, *, and parentheses will cause an error.

Choose a name that is straightforward to recognize and that you will remember months from now. If you have multiple computers, include something that identifies which one it is — for example, "living-room-laptop" or "bedroom-desktop" is clearer than "computer" or "mypc". Avoid names that are too long or cryptic, because you will see this name in network dialogs and file-sharing windows.

Why your computer name matters

Your computer name appears whenever you connect to a network, share files with another computer, or print to a shared printer. Other people on your network will see this name in their file browser when they look for shared folders. If you are troubleshooting a network problem with IT support, they will ask for your computer name to identify your device.

Changing the name does not affect your files, passwords, or installed programs. It is purely a label for identification. If you are part of a workplace domain, your IT department may have already assigned a name — in that case, you may not be able to change it without permission.

Troubleshooting a failed rename

If you see an error message when you try to rename your computer, the most common cause is that you used a space or special character. Delete those and use only letters, numbers, and hyphens.

If you are on a workplace network, your computer may be managed by your IT department, and they may have locked the name to prevent changes. Contact your IT support team — they can either unlock it or rename it for you.

If the rename seemed to work but the old name still appears in some places, restart your computer. Network services sometimes cache the old name and need a restart to refresh. If the old name persists after a restart, restart again — occasionally a second restart is needed for all services to recognize the change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to restart my computer for the name change to work?

Windows requires a restart — the name change does not take effect until you do. Mac usually does not require a restart, but you may need one if you use file sharing or network services. When in doubt, restart to may support all services recognize the new name.

Can I use spaces in my computer name?

No. Spaces are not allowed in computer names on either Windows or Mac. Use hyphens instead — for example, "my-laptop" instead of "my laptop". Both systems will reject the name if it contains a space.

Will changing my computer name affect my files or passwords?

No. Renaming your computer changes only the label that identifies it on a network. Your files, user accounts, passwords, and installed programs remain exactly the same. The change is purely cosmetic from a data perspective.

What if I forgot my admin password and cannot rename my computer?

On Windows, you will need to reset your password through your Microsoft account or contact your IT department if it is a work computer. On Mac, you can use your Apple ID to reset your password. If neither works, you may need to contact the manufacturer's support line or a local computer repair shop.

Can I change my computer name back to the old one?

Yes. Follow the same steps you used to rename it the first time, and type the old name (or any new name you prefer). There is no limit to how many times you can rename your computer.