Finding your computer's name on Windows

Your computer's name appears in Windows Settings under System. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select the app. Go to System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click About. Under the "Device specifications" section, you'll see a field labeled Device name — that's your computer's name.

You can also find it faster using the Run dialog. Press Windows key + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter. The System Properties window opens. On the Computer Name tab, look for the field labeled Full computer name. That's the complete name your computer uses on a network.

If you need to see it right now without opening any menus, right-click the Start button, select System, and the device name appears near the top of the window.

Finding your computer's name on Mac

On a Mac, your computer's name lives in System Settings. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click General in the sidebar, then select About. The field labeled Computer Name shows the name your Mac uses on networks and when you share files.

You can also find it in the Finder. Open Finder, click Finder in the menu bar, then select Settings. Go to the Advanced tab and check the box next to Show all filename extensions — this doesn't show the name directly, but the Finder window title bar displays your computer name at the top.

The fastest route: click the Apple menu, select About This Mac, and the computer name appears at the very top of the window as "Computer Name."

Finding your computer's name on Linux

Linux stores your computer's name in a file called hostname. Open a terminal window (usually Ctrl + Alt + T) and type the command hostname, then press Enter. The terminal displays your computer's name when ready.

You can also view it in the system settings menu. The exact location depends on your Linux distribution — on Ubuntu, open Settings, click About, and the device name appears under "Device Name." On other distributions like Fedora or Debian, the name may be in a different settings location, but the terminal command works the same way on all of them.

Why your computer has a name

Your computer's name is how it identifies itself on a network. When you connect to a printer, share files with another computer, or join a video call, your device uses this name so others know who is connecting. It's also the name that appears in your router's list of connected devices.

The name is separate from your user account name. Your user account is what you log in with; your computer name is what the machine itself is called. You can have multiple user accounts on one computer, but the computer itself has only one name.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, find your computer's name in Settings > System > About under "Device name."
  • On Mac, open System Settings > General > About and look for "Computer Name" at the top.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type the command hostname to see the name when ready.
  • Your computer's name is how it identifies itself to other devices on a network, separate from your user account login name.
  • You can change your computer's name in the same locations where you find it, though you may need to restart for the change to take effect.

Changing your computer's name

If you want to rename your computer, you can do it in the same place you found the name. On Windows, in Settings > System > About, click the Rename this PC button, type the new name, and restart your computer. On Mac, in System Settings > General > About, click the Edit button next to "Computer Name," type the new name, and click Done — no restart needed. On Linux, use the terminal command sudo hostnamectl set-hostname newname (replace "newname" with what you want), then restart.

Choose a name that's straightforward to remember and contains only letters, numbers, and hyphens. Avoid spaces and special characters, as some networks and programs don't handle them well. If you're on a work network, check with your IT department before renaming — some organizations manage computer names automatically.

Where you'll see your computer's name used

Your computer's name appears in several places. When you connect to a wireless printer, the printer's setup screen shows a list of computers on the network — your computer name is how it appears there. When you share files with another computer using file sharing, the receiving computer sees your device by this name. In video conferencing apps, your computer name may appear as a default display name if you haven't set a custom one.

Your router also displays your computer's name in its admin panel, usually under "Connected Devices" or "DHCP Clients." This is useful if you need to find your computer's IP address or troubleshoot network problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my computer name the same as my username?

No. Your username is what you type to log in to your account. Your computer name is what the machine itself is called on a network. You can have multiple usernames on one computer, but only one computer name. They're stored in different places and serve different purposes.

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

You can type them, but it's not recommended. Some older printers, network devices, and programs don't recognize computer names with spaces or special characters. Stick to letters, numbers, and hyphens to avoid connection problems.

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

On Windows and Linux, yes — the change takes effect after a restart. On Mac, the change is when ready and no restart is required. If you're on a work network, the restart may take longer because your computer needs to re-register itself with the network.

What if I can't find the computer name in Settings?

On Windows, try the Run dialog method: press Windows key + R, type sysdm.cpl, and look at the Computer Name tab. On Mac, try clicking the Apple menu and selecting About This Mac directly. On Linux, the terminal command hostname always works. If none of these work, your system may have a permissions issue — contact your IT support.

Will changing my computer's name affect my files or programs?

No. Your files, programs, and settings stay exactly where they are. The only thing that changes is how the computer identifies itself to other devices. Some network shares or printers may need you to reconnect them after the rename, but that's a quick process.