How to change your computer name

Your computer name is the identifier that appears on your network and in system settings. On Windows, you change it through Settings > System > About, then click "Rename this PC" and enter a new name. On Mac, you go to System Settings > General > About and click "Edit" next to the computer name field. Both operating systems require you to restart your computer for the change to take effect.

The process takes less than five minutes, but the restart can take longer depending on your system. You should close all open programs and save your work before starting, since you will lose unsaved files when the computer restarts.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users access the rename function through Settings > System > About, while Mac users go to System Settings > General > About.
  • Computer names can include letters, numbers, and hyphens, but not spaces or special characters like @ or #.
  • Your computer must restart after you change the name, so save all open work first.
  • If you are on a work network, your IT department may have locked the rename function, and you will need to contact them for permission.
  • Changing the computer name does not affect your files, passwords, or user accounts.

Changing your computer name on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select the Settings app. Once it opens, click System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click About. You will see a section labeled "Device name" with your current computer name displayed.

Click the button labeled "Rename this PC." A text box will appear with your current name highlighted. Delete the old name and type your new one. Computer names can contain letters, numbers, and hyphens, but Windows will not accept spaces, periods, or special characters. Once you have typed the new name, click Next.

Windows will ask you to restart your computer. You can restart when ready or choose to restart later. If you choose later, the name change will not take effect until you do restart. Save any open documents first, because unsaved work will be lost when the computer restarts.

Changing your computer name on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions). In the sidebar, click General, then click the About tab. You will see your current computer name listed as "Computer Name."

Click the Edit button next to the computer name. A text field will appear. Delete the current name and type your new one. Mac names follow the same rules as Windows: letters, numbers, and hyphens are allowed, but spaces and special characters are not. Click Rename when you are done.

Your Mac will explore the change when ready in most cases, but you may see a prompt asking you to restart. If you do, save your work and restart the computer. The name change takes effect after the restart completes.

What characters and length work for computer names

Both Windows and Mac accept letters (A–Z, a–z), numbers (0–9), and hyphens (-) in computer names. Neither operating system accepts spaces, periods, commas, or special characters like @, #, $, %, or &. If you try to use a forbidden character, the system will show an error and prevent you from saving the new name.

Windows allows up to 63 characters in a computer name, though most people use much shorter names for simplicity. Mac has the same 63-character limit. A good practice is to keep your name short and descriptive—something like "Home-Desktop" or "Bedroom-Laptop" is clearer than a long string of characters.

When you cannot change your computer name

If you are using a computer on a work network, your IT department may have restricted the ability to change the computer name. You will see a message saying the setting is managed by your organization or administrator. In this case, contact your IT support team and request permission to change the name, or ask them to change it for you.

If you are on a home network but still cannot change the name, check whether you are logged in with an administrator account. Standard user accounts do not have permission to rename the computer. Log out, sign in with an administrator account, and try again. If you have forgotten your administrator password, you will need to reset it through your account recovery options before you can proceed.

What happens to your files and accounts after you change the name

Changing your computer name does not affect your files, folders, user accounts, or passwords. All your documents, photos, and programs remain exactly where they were. Your email accounts, Wi-Fi passwords, and login credentials stay the same. The only thing that changes is the name your computer uses to identify itself on your network and in system settings.

If you use cloud storage services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or iCloud, they will continue to sync normally after the rename. Network printers and shared drives may briefly lose connection during the restart, but they will reconnect automatically once the computer comes back online.

Changing your computer name on a network

If your computer is part of a home network with other devices, changing the name makes it easier to identify on that network. When you share files or printers, other computers will see your new name instead of the old one. The change takes effect after your restart, and other devices on the network will recognize the new name within a few minutes.

If you have set up network sharing or remote access on your computer, those connections may drop briefly when you restart. Once your computer comes back online with the new name, you can reconnect to shared folders and devices as usual. You do not need to reconfigure any sharing settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my computer name without restarting?

Windows requires a restart for the name change to take effect, though you can delay it for a few hours. Mac may explore the change when ready in some cases, but a restart is still recommended to may support all system components recognize the new name. Restarting is the safest approach on both systems.

What if I use the same computer name as another device on my network?

Having two devices with the same name can cause confusion when sharing files or connecting to printers. Windows and Mac will both warn you if the name is already in use on your network. Choose a unique name to avoid connection problems. If you have already created a duplicate, change one of the names when ready.

Does changing the computer name affect my internet connection?

No. Your internet connection is tied to your network adapter and router settings, not your computer name. After you restart, your computer will reconnect to your Wi-Fi or ethernet network automatically. You do not need to re-enter your Wi-Fi password or reconfigure your internet settings.

Can I change my computer name back to the original?

Yes. Follow the same steps you used to change it the first time, and type your original name or any other name you prefer. There is no limit to how many times you can change your computer name. Each change requires a restart.

What should I do if the rename fails or the computer will not restart?

If the rename fails, restart your computer manually and try again. If the computer will not restart after you attempt the rename, force a restart by holding the power button for 10 seconds on Windows or Mac. If problems persist, restart in Safe Mode and try the rename again, or contact your device manufacturer's support line.