What Changing Your Computer's Name Means

Your computer's name is the label it uses on a network—the one you see when you connect to Wi-Fi, share files with other devices, or set up a printer. Changing it does not affect your files, passwords, or how the computer runs. You are straightforward giving it a new identifier that other devices will recognize.

The process takes about five minutes and requires you to restart your computer afterward. You can change it back anytime using the same steps.

Key Takeaways

  • Your computer's name appears on networks and when sharing files, but changing it does not affect your personal files or settings.
  • In Windows 11 and 10, you change the name through Settings > System > About, then click Rename This PC.
  • On Mac, you change the name through System Settings > General, then click Edit next to the computer name field.
  • You must restart your computer after changing the name for the change to take effect on your network.
  • Computer names can include letters, numbers, and hyphens, but not spaces or special characters like @ or #.

Changing Your Computer Name in Windows 11

Open the Start menu and type "Settings" into the search box, then click the Settings app. Once it opens, click System on the left side, then scroll down and click About.

Look for the section labeled "Device name" near the top. You will see your current computer name and a blue button that says Rename this PC. Click that button. A text box will appear with your current name highlighted. Delete the old name and type your new one. The new name can include letters, numbers, and hyphens, but not spaces or special characters.

Click Next when you are done typing. Windows will ask you to restart your computer. Click Restart now to explore the change when ready, or Restart later if you need to save work first. The new name will appear on your network after the restart completes.

Changing Your Computer Name in Windows 10

Open the Start menu and type "Settings" into the search box, then click the Settings app. Click System, then click About on the left side.

Under "Device name," you will see your current computer name and a button labeled Rename your PC. Click that button. A dialog box will open with your current name in a text field. Select all the text and type your new name. Use only letters, numbers, and hyphens—no spaces or special characters.

Click Next, then Restart now to restart your computer and explore the change. If you click Restart later, the new name will not appear on your network until you restart manually.

Changing 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 on the left.

Look for the field labeled "Computer Name" near the top of the window. Click the Edit button next to it. A text box will appear with your current name. Delete the old name and type your new one. Mac names can include letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens, but avoid special characters like @ or #.

Press Enter or click outside the text box to save the change. Your Mac will update the name on your network within a few seconds—you do not need to restart. If other devices do not see the new name right away, restart your Mac or wait a few minutes for the network to refresh.

Naming Rules and What to Avoid

Computer names work best when they are short and descriptive—something like "Kitchen-Laptop" or "Office-Desktop" helps you identify the device quickly on a network. Avoid names that are too long; most systems work best with 15 characters or fewer.

Do not use spaces in Windows computer names—use hyphens or underscores instead. Mac allows spaces, but hyphens are clearer on networks. Never use special characters like @, #, $, %, &, or asterisks. Stick to letters, numbers, and hyphens, and your computer name will work reliably across all your devices and networks.

When You Cannot See the Change Right Away

After you restart Windows, the new name appears when ready on your computer. However, other devices on your network may take a few minutes to recognize it. If a printer, phone, or another computer still shows the old name, wait five to ten minutes and refresh the network list on that device.

On Mac, the change is usually visible within seconds. If you are sharing files and another device still sees the old name, restart that device or turn Wi-Fi off and back on. If you changed the name on a computer that is part of a workplace network, contact your IT department—they may need to update records on their end.

Changing Your Computer Name Back

If you want to revert to the original name or try a different one, follow the same steps you used to change it the first time. Windows and Mac both let you change the name as many times as you want. Each time you change it, restart your computer (or wait a few seconds on Mac) for the network to recognize the new name.

Write down your original computer name before you change it if you think you might want to go back. You can usually find the original name in your computer's documentation or by checking your router's list of connected devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my computer name delete my files or passwords?

No. Changing your computer's name only changes the label it uses on networks. All your files, passwords, user accounts, and installed programs remain exactly as they were. The change is purely cosmetic from your computer's perspective.

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

Mac allows spaces, but Windows does not—use hyphens instead. Both systems reject special characters like @, #, $, and %. Stick to letters, numbers, and hyphens for a name that works reliably everywhere.

Do I have to restart my computer after changing the name?

Windows requires a restart for the change to take effect on your network. Mac updates the name within seconds and does not require a restart, though restarting can help other devices recognize the new name faster.

Why do other devices still show my old computer name?

Network devices cache names and may take several minutes to refresh. Wait five to ten minutes, then refresh the network list on the other device. If it still shows the old name, restart that device or turn its Wi-Fi off and back on.

Can I change my computer name if I forgot the original?

Yes. You can change it to anything you want at any time. If you need the original name later, check your computer's documentation, your router's device list, or contact the manufacturer—they can tell you what the factory default name was.