Where to find your computer's name

Your computer's name is a label the operating system assigns to identify your machine on a network. You need it when connecting to shared printers, joining a work network, or troubleshooting connection problems. The location depends on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux.

On Windows, the name lives in System Settings. On Mac, it is in System Settings under General. On Linux, the terminal command hostname displays it when ready. All three methods take under a minute.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can find the computer name by opening Settings, selecting System, then About — it appears as "Device name" on the page.
  • Mac users open System Settings, click General, then About, and look for "Computer Name" near the top of the window.
  • Linux users open a terminal and type the command hostname to see the name when ready.
  • You can also right-click "This PC" on Windows or "Finder" on Mac to access the name without opening full settings.
  • The computer name is different from your user account name — the device name identifies the whole machine, not just your login.

Finding your name on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Start menu and type "Settings" into the search box, then click Settings. Once the Settings window opens, select System from the left sidebar. Scroll down and click About. Your computer name appears in the Device name field near the top of the page.

If you prefer a faster route, right-click the Start button, select System, and you will land on the same About page. The device name is always displayed prominently — it is a single line of text, usually something like "DESKTOP-ABC1234" or a custom name you or your organization set.

Windows also lets you change the name from this same About page. Click Rename this PC if you want to give your machine a more memorable label. The change takes effect after you restart your computer.

Finding your name on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. In the sidebar, click General. At the top of the main panel, you will see Computer Name — this is your machine's network identifier. The name typically appears in a field you can read but not edit from this view.

If you need to change the name, click the Edit button next to Computer Name. Type the new name and click Done. The change takes effect when ready without a restart. Your Mac also displays a Local Hostname below the Computer Name — this is a technical identifier used for network connections and usually includes ".local" at the end.

Finding your name on Linux

Open a terminal window — on most distributions, you can right-click the desktop and select Open Terminal, or search for Terminal in your applications menu. Type the command hostname and press Enter. The terminal displays your computer's name on the next line.

If you want more detail, type hostnamectl instead. This command shows the static hostname, the transient hostname, and the pretty hostname — most users only need the static hostname, which is the permanent network name. To change the hostname, use the command sudo hostnamectl set-hostname newname, replacing "newname" with your chosen label. You will need administrator access and must restart for the change to take effect.

Why you need your computer's name

Network printers and shared drives use your computer's name to identify which machine is sending a print job or accessing files. When you connect to a corporate network or set up remote access, IT support often asks for your device name to locate your machine in their system. Knowing it saves time during troubleshooting.

Your computer's name also appears in network discovery settings, allowing other devices on your network to find and communicate with your machine. If you are setting up a home network or connecting to a workplace domain, having the name handy prevents delays.

Computer name versus user account name

The computer name identifies the entire machine — it is the same for everyone who logs into that device. Your user account name is personal to you and appears when you sign in. They are separate identifiers. If you share a computer with others, you all see the same computer name, but each person has their own account name and login credentials.

When someone asks for your computer name, they want the device identifier, not your username. This distinction matters most in workplace settings where multiple people use the same machine or when connecting to shared network resources.

Changing your computer's name

On Windows, go to Settings > System > About and click Rename this PC. Type a new name using letters, numbers, and hyphens — avoid spaces and special characters, as some networks do not accept them. Click Next, then Restart now to explore the change when ready.

On Mac, open System Settings > General > About, click Edit next to Computer Name, type the new name, and click Done. The change is when ready. On Linux, use the command sudo hostnamectl set-hostname newname in the terminal, then restart your system. Choose a name that is straightforward to remember and identifies the machine's purpose or location — for example, "living-room-laptop" or "office-desktop-1".

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my computer name the same as my IP address?

No. Your computer name is a human-readable label like "DESKTOP-ABC1234". Your IP address is a number like 192.168.1.5. Networks use the name to look up the IP address, but they are different identifiers. You can find your IP address by typing ipconfig on Windows or ifconfig on Mac and Linux.

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

Windows and Mac allow spaces, but many network systems reject them. Use hyphens or underscores instead — "my-computer" works everywhere, while "my computer" may cause connection problems on some networks. Linux hostnames do not accept spaces at all.

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

Network conflicts occur, and devices may not communicate properly. Each machine on a network needs a unique name. If you have multiple computers, give each one a distinct label. Windows and Mac will warn you if a duplicate is detected.

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

Windows and Linux require a restart for the change to take effect. Mac applies the change when ready without restarting. However, restarting after any name change ensures all network services recognize the new identifier.

Where is the computer name used?

Network printers, file shares, remote access tools, and IT support systems all use your computer name to identify your device. It also appears in network discovery lists when other devices search for machines to connect to. If you are troubleshooting a connection problem, having the name ready speeds up diagnosis.