Your computer name is the identifier Windows uses to locate your machine on a network

When you set up Remote Desktop Connection, you need to tell it which computer to connect to. That computer is identified by its computer name — a text label Windows assigns during setup. Finding it takes less than a minute and works the same way on Windows 10, Windows 11, and older versions.

The computer name is not the same as your user account name. Your user account is what you log in with; your computer name is what the network calls the machine itself. Remote Desktop needs the computer name to know where to send the connection request.

Key Takeaways

  • Your computer name appears in System Settings under "About" or in the System Properties window, and you can copy it directly from there.
  • On Windows 10 and 11, the fastest route is Settings > System > About, then look for "Device name" in the list.
  • You can also right-click "This PC" on the desktop or in File Explorer and select Properties to see the computer name in one window.
  • If you are connecting to a computer on a different network, you may need the full network address (domain name plus computer name) instead of the computer name alone.
  • The computer name must be typed exactly as it appears — capitalization does not matter, but spaces and special characters do.

Finding the computer name in Windows 10 and Windows 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then select the Settings app. Click System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click About. Look for the line labeled "Device name" — that is your computer name. Highlight it, right-click, and select Copy to paste it into Remote Desktop Connection.

If you prefer not to use Settings, right-click "This PC" on your desktop or in File Explorer. Select Properties from the menu. A window opens showing your computer information. Look for "Computer name" near the top of the window. Write it down or copy it the same way.

Finding the computer name in Windows 7 and Windows 8

Right-click "Computer" on your desktop or in File Explorer and select Properties. The window that opens shows your computer name in the section labeled "Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings". The name appears next to "Full computer name" — use only the first part before any period or domain suffix.

Alternatively, press the Windows key and R together to open the Run dialog. Type "sysdm.cpl" and press Enter. The System Properties window opens. Click the Computer Name tab at the top. Your computer name appears in the field labeled "Computer name".

Using the command line to find your computer name

If you prefer the command line, press the Windows key and R, then type "cmd" and press Enter. In the Command Prompt window, type "hostname" and press Enter. The computer name appears on the next line. This method works on any Windows version and gives you the exact name with no extra text.

You can also type "wmic computersystem get name" in Command Prompt for the same result. Both commands show only the computer name with nothing else, so there is no confusion about which part to use.

What to do if your computer name contains spaces or special characters

Computer names can include letters, numbers, and hyphens, but spaces and most special characters cause problems with Remote Desktop. If your computer name has a space in it, you may need to use the full network address instead — ask your network administrator for the domain name, then type it as "domain.com\computername" in Remote Desktop Connection.

If you control the computer and want to change its name to remove spaces, you can rename it through System Settings. On Windows 10 and 11, go to Settings > System > About, click Rename this PC, enter a new name without spaces, and restart. The new name takes effect after the restart.

Connecting to a computer on a different network or domain

If the computer you want to reach is on a different network or part of a corporate domain, the computer name alone may not work. You may need to type the full network address, which combines the domain name and computer name. Ask your network administrator or IT support for the correct format — it is usually something like "computername.domain.com" or "domain\computername".

If you are connecting to a computer outside your local network, you may also need its IP address instead of its name. Your network administrator can provide this. Remote Desktop accepts IP addresses in the same field where you would type the computer name.

Troubleshooting when Remote Desktop cannot find the computer

If you type the computer name correctly but Remote Desktop says it cannot find the computer, the machine may be turned off, not connected to the network, or not set up to accept Remote Desktop connections. Check that the computer is powered on and connected to the same network or domain as the machine you are connecting from.

You can also test the connection by opening Command Prompt and typing "ping computername" (replace "computername" with the actual name). If the ping succeeds, the computer is reachable. If it fails, the computer is not visible on the network. In that case, check the network connection on the remote computer or contact your network administrator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the computer name the same as the username?

No. Your username is what you type when you log in to Windows. The computer name is the label for the entire machine on the network. You need both to connect via Remote Desktop — the computer name tells it where to go, and your username and password tell it who you are once it gets there.

Can I use the IP address instead of the computer name?

Yes. If you know the computer's IP address, you can type that into Remote Desktop Connection instead of the computer name. The IP address works the same way. You can find the IP address by opening Command Prompt on the remote computer and typing "ipconfig", then looking for "IPv4 Address".

What if the computer name has a period or domain name in it?

If the full name shown in System Properties includes a domain (like "computername.domain.com"), use only the first part — "computername" — when connecting on a local network. If that does not work, ask your network administrator whether you need the full domain name or a different format.

Do I need to restart the computer after finding its name?

No. Finding the computer name does not require any restart or changes to the computer itself. You can use the name when ready in Remote Desktop Connection. A restart is only needed if you rename the computer.

Can two computers have the same name?

Windows prevents two computers on the same network from having the same name, but it is possible if they are on different networks. If you have multiple computers with the same name, specify which one you want by using its IP address or full domain name instead.