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 differ depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux.

On Windows, the quickest route is the Settings app. On Mac, it lives in System Settings. On Linux, you can find it through the terminal or your system settings menu. All three methods take less than a minute.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can find the computer name by opening Settings, selecting System, and looking at the Device name field.
  • Mac users should open System Settings, click General, then About to see the Computer Name at the top.
  • Linux users can open a terminal and type hostname to see the computer name when ready.
  • You can change your computer's name through the same menus where you find it, though a restart may be required.
  • The computer name is different from your user account name — the computer name identifies the machine itself on a network.

Finding your computer name on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click on System in the left sidebar. On the right side of the screen, you will see a section labeled Device specifications. Your computer name appears in the field labeled Device name.

If you prefer not to use Settings, you can also right-click the Start button, select System, and scroll down to find the same Device name field. Both routes show the exact same information.

Write down the name or take a screenshot if you need to use it elsewhere. The name can contain letters, numbers, and hyphens, but Windows does not allow spaces or special characters like @ or #.

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. At the top of the window, you will see Computer Name displayed prominently.

On very old Mac systems, the Computer Name may appear under Sharing instead of General. If you do not see it in General, click Sharing and look for the field labeled Computer Name near the top.

The name you see here is what other computers and devices will use to find your Mac on a network. It can include spaces and most special characters, unlike Windows names.

Finding your computer name on Linux

Open a terminal window. You can usually do this by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting Open Terminal, or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on most Linux distributions. Type the command hostname and press Enter. Your computer name will appear on the next line.

If you use a graphical desktop environment like GNOME or KDE, you can also find the computer name through the system settings menu. Look for a section labeled About or System Information. The exact location varies by distribution, but the terminal method works on all Linux systems.

Some Linux systems also display the computer name in the terminal prompt itself — it appears before the @ symbol. For example, if your prompt shows user@mycomputer:~$, then "mycomputer" is your computer name.

Why you might need your computer's name

Network printers often require the computer name to establish a connection. When you set up a shared folder or remote access, the other person or device needs your computer name to find you. If you work on a corporate network, your IT department may ask for your computer name to troubleshoot connection issues or push software updates.

The computer name is also useful if you have multiple computers at home and need to tell them apart. It appears in file sharing dialogs, network settings, and system information screens across all three operating systems.

How to change your computer's name

On Windows, go to Settings > System > Device specifications and click the Rename this PC button. Type the new name and click Next. Windows will ask you to restart your computer for the change to take effect. Do not skip the restart — the new name will not work on the network until you do.

On Mac, open System Settings > General > About and click the Edit button next to Computer Name. Type the new name and press Enter. The change takes effect when ready without a restart.

On Linux, the method depends on your distribution. In the terminal, you can use the command sudo hostnamectl set-hostname newname (replace "newname" with what you want). You will need to restart for the change to take effect on most systems. Some graphical tools also allow you to change the name through the Settings menu.

Computer name versus user account name

These are two different things, and confusion between them is common. Your computer name identifies the machine itself — it is what other devices see when they look for you on a network. Your user account name is the login name you use to access your own computer.

For example, you might have a computer named "Office-Desktop" with a user account named "Sarah." When you connect to a network printer, you give it the computer name "Office-Desktop." When you log in to your computer, you use the account name "Sarah." Both are useful, but they serve different purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Windows does not allow spaces, periods, or special characters like @, #, or $ in the computer name. Mac and Linux are more flexible and allow spaces and most special characters. Stick to letters, numbers, and hyphens if you want the name to work smoothly across all devices on a network.

What if I forget my computer name?

You can always find it again using the same steps in this guide. On Windows, open Settings > System. On Mac, open System Settings > General > About. On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname. There is no penalty for looking it up multiple times.

Does changing my computer name affect my files or passwords?

No. Changing the computer name does not delete files, change passwords, or affect your user account. It only changes the label that other devices use to find your computer on a network. Your files and login information stay exactly the same.

Why does my computer name have a random string of numbers or letters?

When you first set up your computer, the manufacturer or operating system may assign a default name like "DESKTOP-ABC123" or "MacBook-Pro-5G7H." You can change this to something more meaningful using the steps in the "How to change your computer's name" section above.

Will my computer name show up if someone is on my Wi-Fi network?

Your computer name is visible to other devices on the same local network. It does not broadcast to the entire internet. If you are on a public Wi-Fi network, other people on that same network may be able to see your computer name, but not your files unless you have shared them.