Finding your computer name on Windows

Your computer name is a label that identifies your machine on a network. On Windows, the fastest way to find it is to right-click the Start button, select System, and look for "Device name" near the top of the window. That's your computer name.

If you're using Windows 10 or 11, you can also press the Windows key and type "About your PC" into the search box, then open that page. The device name appears under "Device specifications."

Another method that works on any Windows version: press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type cmd, and press Enter. In the command prompt window that opens, type hostname and press Enter. The name that appears is your computer name.

Finding your computer name on Mac

On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Then click General in the sidebar, and look for "Computer Name" near the top. That's the name your Mac uses on networks.

You can also find it by opening Terminal (search for it in Spotlight by pressing Command + Space), typing hostname, and pressing Enter. The name that appears is your computer name.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, right-click the Start button, select System, and look for "Device name" to find your computer name in seconds.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click General, and look for "Computer Name" at the top of the window.
  • On either system, you can open a terminal or command prompt and type hostname to see your computer name when ready.
  • Your computer name is the label your machine uses to identify itself on a network, separate from your user account name.
  • If you need to change your computer name, the same settings window where you find it will let you rename it.

Why you might need your computer name

You'll need your computer name when you're setting up a network printer, connecting to a shared folder on another computer, or troubleshooting network problems. It's also useful when you're talking to tech support — they may ask for it to help identify your machine on your home network or workplace network.

Your computer name is different from your user account name. The user account name is what you log in with each time you start your computer; the computer name is what identifies the whole machine on a network. You can have multiple user accounts on one computer, but the computer name remains the same for all of them.

Changing your computer name

On Windows, you can change your computer name in the same System window where you found it. Look for "Rename this PC" and follow the prompt. You'll need to restart your computer for the change to take effect.

On Mac, you can change the computer name in System Settings under General, in the same place you found it. The change takes effect when ready without a restart.

When you change your computer name, devices on your network may take a few minutes to recognize the new name. If you're connected to a workplace network, check with your IT department before renaming — some organizations manage computer names centrally and changing yours could cause connection problems.

Computer names and network visibility

Your computer name is broadcast on your local network, so other computers and devices on the same Wi-Fi or ethernet connection can see it. This is how network printers find your computer, and how you can browse shared folders on other machines. The computer name makes it easier for you to locate your own machine when you're connecting to it remotely or setting up shared resources.

If you're on a public Wi-Fi network, your computer name is visible to other people on that network, though they can't access your files without permission. If you want to keep your computer less visible on public networks, you can change your computer name to something generic or disable network discovery in your network settings. This is a good practice if you frequently use coffee shop Wi-Fi or other public connections.

Computer names on different networks

Your computer keeps the same name whether you're at home, at work, or on a public network. However, some workplace networks use naming conventions — your IT department may have assigned your computer a specific name that follows a pattern. If you're on a managed network, changing your computer name without permission could cause you to lose access to shared resources or network services.

On home networks, you have full control over your computer name. You can name it anything you want, though keeping it straightforward with letters and numbers makes it easier for other devices to recognize it. If you have multiple computers at home, giving each one a descriptive name — like "bedroom-laptop" or "kitchen-desktop" — makes it easier to find the right machine when you're setting up printers or file sharing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my computer name the same as my username?

No. Your username is the account you log into; your computer name is the label for the entire machine. You can have multiple user accounts on one computer, but the computer name stays the same for all of them.

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

Windows allows spaces and hyphens, but some older devices on a network may have trouble with spaces. Mac allows spaces. If you're having network problems, try using only letters, numbers, and hyphens with no spaces.

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

Network devices may become confused and have trouble communicating. If you're setting up multiple computers on the same network, give each one a unique name. Windows and Mac will warn you if you try to use a name that's already taken on your network.

Do I need to restart my computer after changing its name?

Windows requires a restart for the change to take effect. Mac does not — the change is when ready. Other devices on your network may take a few minutes to recognize the new name.

Where do I find my computer name if I can't access the settings?

Open a command prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac) and type hostname, then press Enter. This works even if you can't navigate the settings menus, and it's often the fastest way to check your computer name.