Change your laptop name in Settings on Windows or System Preferences on Mac

Your laptop's name — called the computer name or hostname — is what appears when you connect to Wi-Fi networks, share files, or print to a network printer. Changing it takes about five minutes and requires no restart on most machines. The steps differ between Windows and Mac, but both are built into your system settings and cost nothing.

The name you choose should be something you recognize. Many people use their own name, a location, or a straightforward identifier like "Home-Laptop" or "Office-Desktop". Avoid special characters like @ or # — they can cause problems on some networks.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 11, go to Settings > System > About, click Rename This PC, type your new name, and restart when prompted.
  • On Windows 10, right-click This PC, select Properties, click Rename This Computer, enter your new name, and restart.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings > General > About, click Edit next to the computer name field, type your new name, and click Rename.
  • Your new name takes effect when ready on Mac; Windows requires a restart before the change appears on networks.
  • The name change does not affect your user account, files, or passwords — only how your device identifies itself to other devices.

How to rename your laptop on Windows 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click About.

Look for the line that says "Device name" near the top. Click the blue Rename This PC button. A text box will appear with your current name highlighted. Delete the old name and type your new one. Click Next, then Restart Now. Your laptop will restart and the new name will appear on your network.

If you do not want to restart when ready, click Restart Later and restart manually when you are ready. The name change will not take effect on networks until you restart.

How to rename your laptop on Windows 10

Right-click the Start button and select System. In the window that opens, look for "Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings" and click Rename This Computer. A dialog box will appear with your current name selected.

Type your new name and click Next. Windows will tell you that you must restart your computer for the change to take effect. Click Restart Now to restart when ready, or click Restart Later if you want to do it yourself. After the restart, your new name will appear when you connect to networks or printers.

How to rename your laptop on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (on newer Macs) or System Preferences (on older ones). Click General in the sidebar, then look for the About section near the top.

Find the line labeled "Computer name" and click the Edit button next to it. A text field will appear with your current name. Delete it and type your new name, then click Rename. The change takes effect when ready — no restart needed. Your new name will appear on Wi-Fi networks and when you connect to printers or file shares right away.

What happens after you change your laptop name

Your new name will appear in a few places. When you connect to a Wi-Fi network, other devices on that network will see your laptop under the new name. If you print to a network printer, the printer will show your laptop's new name in its job queue. If you share files with other computers, they will see your laptop under the new name in their file browser.

Your user account, password, and files do not change. You can still log in the same way, and all your programs and data remain exactly as they were. The name change affects only how your laptop identifies itself to other devices — nothing on your computer itself.

Choosing a name that works on all networks

Some names work better than others on different networks and devices. Use only letters, numbers, and hyphens. Avoid spaces, periods, and special characters like @, #, or &. Keep the name under 15 characters if possible — some older printers and network devices have trouble with longer names.

Do not use names that are only numbers, and do not start with a hyphen. Examples that work well: "Sarah-Laptop", "Home-Office-Mac", "Kitchen-Printer-PC", or "Bedroom-Desktop". Names like "My Computer!!!" or "Device #1" can cause connection problems on some networks.

If your new name does not appear on your network

On Windows, make sure you restarted your computer after changing the name. The change will not show up on networks until after the restart. Restart your laptop and wait a minute or two — it can take a moment for other devices to recognize the new name.

On Mac, the change is when ready, but your Wi-Fi router may take a minute to update. If other devices still show your old name, restart your laptop or disconnect and reconnect to Wi-Fi. If you are having trouble connecting to a network printer, restart the printer as well — it may be holding onto the old name in its memory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my laptop name affect my passwords or login?

No. Your user account password and login remain exactly the same. The name change affects only how your laptop appears to other devices on a network, not how you access your own computer.

Can I change my laptop name back to the original?

Yes. Follow the same steps and type your old name, or any new name you prefer. You can change it as many times as you want with no consequences.

What if I see my old laptop name still appearing on my printer or network?

Restart the printer or network device. It may be holding the old name in its memory. After a restart, it should recognize your laptop's new name within a minute or two.

Do I need to change my laptop name if I sell it or give it away?

You should change it back to a generic name or the factory default before handing it over. This prevents the new owner from seeing your personal identifier on their network. You can also perform a factory reset, which will restore the original name along with erasing all your files.

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

Spaces and most special characters can cause problems on some networks and with older devices. Stick to letters, numbers, and hyphens. If you want to separate words, use a hyphen instead of a space — "Home-Office" instead of "Home Office".