Finding your computer name in three steps

Your computer name is a label that identifies your machine on a network. You need it when connecting to shared printers, joining a work network, or troubleshooting with tech support. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you run Windows, Mac, or Linux, but the process takes less than a minute on any system.

The fastest route on any operating system is to open your system settings and look for a section labeled "About" or "System Information". Your computer name appears there alongside other hardware details. If you prefer the command line, a single typed command will display it when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Settings, select System, then About — your computer name appears under "Device name".
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click General, then About — the name shows as "Computer Name".
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname to see your computer name when ready.
  • Your computer name can contain letters, numbers, and hyphens, but not spaces or special characters.
  • If you need to change your computer name, the same settings menu where you find it also lets you rename it.

Finding your computer name on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Start menu and type "Settings" into the search box, then click the Settings app. Once it opens, click System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click About. Your computer name appears in a field labeled "Device name" near the top of the page.

If you prefer not to use Settings, you can also right-click "This PC" on your desktop or in File Explorer and select Properties. The computer name displays under "Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings".

A third option is the command line. Press Windows key + R, type cmd, and press Enter. In the black window that opens, type hostname and press Enter. Your computer name appears on the next line.

Finding your computer name on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click General in the sidebar, then click About. Your computer name appears in a field labeled "Computer Name" near the top.

You can also open Terminal (found in Applications > Utilities) and type hostname, then press Enter. The name displays when ready below your command.

Finding your computer name on Linux

Open a terminal window — the exact method depends on your Linux distribution, but it is usually accessible from your applications menu or by right-clicking the desktop. Type hostname and press Enter. Your computer name appears on the next line.

If you want more detail, type hostnamectl instead. This command shows your computer name alongside other hostname information.

What your computer name looks like and what it means

A computer name is usually a short string of letters and numbers, sometimes with hyphens. Examples include "DESKTOP-ABC1234", "MacBook-Pro", or "ubuntu-server". The exact format depends on how your computer was set up — some names are generated automatically during installation, while others are custom names you or an administrator chose.

Your computer name is different from your username (the account you log into) and different from your IP address (the number that identifies your machine on the internet). The computer name is purely for local identification on your network.

When you need your computer name

Tech support often asks for your computer name when troubleshooting problems, because it helps them identify your machine in network logs. If you are connecting to a shared printer or file server at work, you may need to enter your computer name. Some software also requires it during installation or setup.

If you are setting up remote access or connecting multiple computers together, knowing each machine's name makes the process clearer. It also helps you identify which computer is which if you have more than one on your network.

Changing your computer name if you need to

You can rename your computer at any time, though you will need administrator access to do so. On Windows, go to Settings > System > About and click "Rename this PC". On Mac, go to System Settings > General > About and click "Edit" next to Computer Name. On Linux, use the hostnamectl set-hostname command in the terminal.

After renaming, you may need to restart your computer for the change to take effect fully, especially if you are on a network. Any devices or services that reference your old computer name will need to be updated to use the new one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my computer name the same as my username?

No. Your username is the account you log into on your computer. Your computer name is the label for the entire machine. You can have multiple user accounts on one computer, but the computer itself has only one name.

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

Most operating systems do not allow spaces or special characters like @ or ! in computer names. Stick to letters, numbers, and hyphens. If you try to enter an invalid character, the system will reject it and ask you to choose a different name.

What if I forgot my computer name and cannot access Settings?

If you can still log in, open a terminal or command prompt and type hostname. If you cannot log in at all, you will need to restart your computer and access it from another device on the same network, or contact your IT department or tech support.

Does changing my computer name affect my files or programs?

Renaming your computer does not delete or move your files. However, if other computers or devices reference your old computer name, they will lose that connection and need to be updated to use the new name.

Why does Windows show a name like DESKTOP-ABC1234 instead of something I chose?

Windows generates this default name automatically during installation if you do not set a custom name. You can change it to anything you prefer by following the rename steps in the Settings app.