Renaming Your Computer

by Barry Dysert
(last updated January 8, 2018)

Renaming your computer is a simple task that can make your personal computer a bit more, well, personal. There are a couple of ways to do it:

  • If you are using Windows 7, click the Start button, right-click on Computer, select Properties, then click the "Advanced system settings" link on the left side of the window.
  • If you are using Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10, display the Control Panel, click the "System and Security" link, click "See the name of this computer" under the "System" group, then click the "Advanced system settings" link on the left side of the window.

Either method will take you to the System Properties dialog box. Make sure the Computer Name tab is displayed. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. The Computer Name tab of the System Properties window.

The name given to your computer is shown to the right of the Full Computer Name label. To change the name of your computer, click the Change button. Windows displays the Computer Name/Domain Changes dialog box. (See Figure 2.)

Figure 2. The Computer Name/Domain Changes window.

Your computer name is in the top textbox. To change it, delete what's there, enter the new name, and click OK. You will need to reboot your computer for the name to go into full effect.

Note that you may not have permission to change the name of a company computer. And even if you do, you likely don't have permission to change the record in the domain name server. To change the name of your computer on your company's network, you will probably need to get your network administrator involved.

 This tip (12147) applies to Windows 7, 8, and 10.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

MORE FROM BARRY

Viewing Event Logs

Event logs are automatically maintained by the operating system. By periodically viewing them, you'll have a better idea ...

Discover More

Restoring Send To Desktop (Create Shortcut)

Sometimes the "Send to | Desktop (create shortcut)" option disappears, or perhaps it was never there in the first place. ...

Discover More

Displaying the Home Button in Microsoft Edge

By default, Microsoft Edge does not display a Home button on its toolbar. If you like having the Home button visible, ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Modifying Windows Startup Services

Windows takes advantage of many different operating system components called services. Most of the Windows services are ...

Discover More

Modifying the Color Scheme

Windows maintains what it calls a color scheme to control how the various elements of Windows appear. Here's how to ...

Discover More

Customizing the SendTo Menu

The SendTo menu can be used to perform some handy tasks with files. By following the steps in this tip you'll be able to ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 7 - 4?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR AUTHORS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2019 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.