Your computer name is a unique identifier that appears on your network and in system settings

Your computer name (also called a hostname or device name) is the label your machine uses to identify itself on a network. You need it when connecting to shared printers, joining a network, troubleshooting with IT support, or setting up remote access. The name is set during your operating system installation but can be changed anytime. Finding it takes less than a minute on any system.

Every computer has one, and it is different from your username—your username is the account you log into, while your computer name is what the device calls itself on the network. Knowing where to find it saves time when you need it in a hurry.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Settings, go to System, then About—your computer name appears as "Device name" on that page.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click General, then About—the name appears as "Computer Name" at the top of the window.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname to see your computer name when ready.
  • Your computer name can contain letters, numbers, and hyphens, but not spaces or special characters like @ or #.
  • If you need to change your computer name, the process is different on each operating system and usually requires a restart.

Finding Your Computer Name on Windows 10 and 11

The fastest way on Windows is through Settings. Click the Start button, type "Settings" into the search box, and open the Settings app. Once inside, click System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click About. On the About page, look for the line labeled "Device name"—that is your computer name.

If you prefer using the Control Panel instead, right-click This PC or My Computer on your desktop or in File Explorer, select Properties, and your computer name appears under "Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings." Both methods show the same information; Settings is straightforward faster on newer Windows versions.

Finding Your Computer Name on Mac

On Mac, open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner and selecting System Settings. Click General in the sidebar, then click About. At the top of the window, you will see "Computer Name"—that is your device name on the network.

You can also find it in the Finder. Click the Apple menu, select About This Mac, and the computer name appears in the window that opens. Both methods show the same name; use whichever is easiest for you to remember.

Finding Your Computer Name on Linux

Linux users can find the computer name when ready using the terminal. Open a terminal window (usually by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T or searching for "Terminal" in your applications menu) and type the command hostname, then press Enter. Your computer name appears on the next line.

If you want more detailed information, type hostnamectl instead. This shows your hostname along with other system details like the operating system version and kernel. Both commands work on most Linux distributions.

What to Do If You Cannot Find Your Computer Name

If the steps above do not work, your system may have a display issue or you may be looking in the wrong place. Try restarting your computer first—sometimes the name does not display correctly until after a restart. If that does not help, check that you are logged in with an account that has permission to view system settings.

On Windows, you can also find your computer name by opening Command Prompt (search for "cmd" in the Start menu) and typing hostname, then pressing Enter. On Mac, the Terminal app (in Applications > Utilities) will show your name if you type hostname. These command-line methods often work when the graphical interface does not.

Changing Your Computer Name

If you want to change your computer name, the process differs by operating system. On Windows, go to Settings > System > About and click "Rename this PC" at the top of the page. Type your new name (letters, numbers, and hyphens only—no spaces) and restart your computer when prompted. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > About and click the "Edit" button next to Computer Name, type the new name, and click Done—no restart required.

On Linux, open a terminal and type sudo hostnamectl set-hostname newname, replacing "newname" with your desired name. You will need to enter your password and may need to restart for the change to take effect across all applications. Choose a name that is straightforward to remember and identifies your computer's purpose or location if you have multiple devices.

Why Your Computer Name Matters

Your computer name is essential for network communication. When you connect to a shared printer, join a work network, or set up file sharing with another computer, the network uses your device name to find and identify your machine. If you are troubleshooting with IT support or a technical help desk, they will often ask for your computer name first so they can locate your device on the network.

The name also appears in system logs and error messages, making it easier to track which device caused a problem if you have multiple computers. Keeping your computer name clear and descriptive—like "Office-Desktop" or "Home-Laptop"—makes it much easier to manage your devices and helps others on your network identify which machine is which.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Computer names can only contain letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), and hyphens (-). Spaces, periods, and special characters like @, #, or $ will cause errors on most networks. If you want to separate words, use a hyphen instead—for example, "Office-Desktop" instead of "Office Desktop."

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

On Windows and Linux, yes—you must restart for the change to take effect everywhere on your system. On Mac, the change takes effect when ready without a restart. However, other devices on your network may take a few minutes to recognize the new name.

Will changing my computer name affect my files or programs?

No. Changing your computer name does not delete files, uninstall programs, or affect how your computer runs. It only changes the label your device uses on the network. Your personal files, installed software, and settings all remain exactly as they were.

What if my computer name is blank or shows as "Unknown"?

This is rare but can happen if your system did not complete setup properly or if there is a display glitch. Restart your computer first. If the name still does not appear, you can set a new name using the methods described in the "Changing Your Computer Name" section above.

Is my computer name the same as my username?

No. Your username is the account you log into on your computer. Your computer name is the device's identifier on the network. You can have multiple user accounts on one computer, but the computer itself has only one name. They are separate settings.