Where to find your computer's name

Your computer's name is a label that identifies it on a network. You may need it to connect to a printer, join a work network, or troubleshoot a connection problem. The steps to find it depend on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux.

On Windows, the quickest route is to right-click "This PC" on your desktop or in File Explorer, select Properties, and look for "Device name" near the top. On a Mac, open System Settings, click General, then About — the name appears as "Computer Name" at the top. On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname, then press Enter.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can find the device name by right-clicking This PC, selecting Properties, and reading the Device name field.
  • Mac users should open System Settings, go to General, then About to see the Computer Name at the top of the window.
  • Linux users can type the command hostname in a terminal to display the computer name when ready.
  • Your computer name is different from your username — it identifies the machine itself, not your account on it.
  • If you need to change your computer's name, the same menus where you find it also let you rename it.

Finding your computer name in Windows 10 and 11

The fastest method is through This PC. Right-click the This PC icon on your desktop or in the left sidebar of File Explorer. Select Properties from the menu that appears. A window will open showing system information. Look for the line labeled "Device name" — this is your computer's name. It usually appears near the top of the window, above the processor and RAM information.

If you do not see This PC on your desktop, you can reach the same screen through Settings. Press the Windows key and type "about your pc" into the search box, then press Enter. The About page will open and show your device name in the same location.

A third option is the System Information tool. Press the Windows key, type "system information," and press Enter. The window that opens shows your computer name as "Computer Name" in the list on the left side.

Finding your computer name on Mac

Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner and selecting System Settings. In the sidebar on the left, click General. At the top of the main panel, you will see "Computer Name" followed by the name of your Mac. This is the name your computer uses on networks.

If you are using an older version of macOS, the path is slightly different. Click the Apple menu, select About This Mac, and look for "Computer Name" in the window that appears. The name is displayed in the same location regardless of which method you use.

Finding your computer name in Linux

Open a terminal window. The method varies by desktop environment, but you can usually right-click the desktop and select "Open Terminal Here," or search for "Terminal" in your applications menu. Once the terminal is open, type the word hostname and press Enter. Your computer's name will appear on the next line.

If you want more detailed information, you can type hostnamectl instead, which shows the hostname along with other system details. Both commands work on most Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian.

The difference between computer name and username

Your computer name and your username are not the same thing. The computer name identifies the machine itself — it is what appears when you connect to a network or share files. Your username is the account you log into on that computer. One computer can have multiple user accounts, but it has only one computer name.

For example, your computer might be named "Bedroom-Laptop" while your username is "Sarah." When you connect to a printer or network drive, the printer or network sees "Bedroom-Laptop," not "Sarah." This distinction matters when you are troubleshooting network problems or setting up shared devices.

When you need your computer name

You will need your computer name when connecting to a network printer, joining a work domain, or accessing shared files on another computer. Some software also asks for your computer name during setup. If someone is helping you troubleshoot a technical problem, they may ask for your computer name to identify your machine in a support system.

Network administrators use computer names to manage multiple machines on the same network. If you are setting up a home network with several devices, giving each one a clear, descriptive name makes it easier to find the right device later.

Changing your computer name

You can change your computer's name from the same location where you found it. On Windows, right-click This PC and select Properties, then click "Rename this PC" and type a new name. You will need to restart your computer for the change to take effect. On Mac, open System Settings, go to General, then About, and click the "Edit" button next to Computer Name to type a new one — no restart required.

On Linux, the process depends on your distribution, but you can usually type sudo hostnamectl set-hostname new-name in a terminal, replacing "new-name" with what you want. A restart is typically needed. Choose a name that is straightforward to remember and describes the computer — for example, "Living-Room-Desktop" or "Work-Laptop" — rather than using numbers or special characters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my computer name the same as my WiFi network name?

No. Your WiFi network name (called the SSID) is separate from your computer name. Your computer name identifies the machine itself, while your WiFi network name is the name you see when connecting to the internet. You can change either one independently.

Can I have two computers with the same name?

Technically yes, but it is not recommended. If two computers on the same network have the same name, they can interfere with each other and cause connection problems. Each computer on a network should have a unique name so the network can tell them apart.

What if I forgot my computer name and cannot access the system?

If you can still log in to your account, use the methods described above to find it. If you cannot log in at all, you may need to restart the computer in Safe Mode or use a recovery tool specific to your operating system. Contact the manufacturer's support for guidance if you are locked out.

Does changing my computer name affect my files or programs?

No. Changing your computer name does not delete or move any files, and your programs will continue to work normally. However, if other computers on your network were accessing shared folders using the old name, you will need to update those connections to use the new name.