Windows · System Info
Change your device's network name
Lets you change the device name Windows uses to identify this PC on networks, in file sharing, and when pairing devices like Bluetooth accessories.
How to open Rename This PC
- Open Settings → System → About
- Click 'Rename this PC' under Device specifications
- Enter a new name and click Next
- Restart when prompted to complete the change
What you should know
- View the current device name
- Rename the PC to something more identifiable
- Requires a restart to fully apply the new name
- Affects how the device appears on your local network and to other users
You must restart your PC for the new device name to take full effect across all network services.
Why it matters
Your PC's device name shows up when sharing files over a home network, pairing Bluetooth devices, connecting to a corporate domain, or identifying the device in router admin pages. A default auto-generated name like 'DESKTOP-XXXXXXX' makes it hard to tell devices apart on a network with multiple computers, while a clear custom name like 'Living-Room-PC' or 'Work-Laptop' saves confusion during troubleshooting or file sharing. It's a small change but one that meaningfully improves day-to-day clarity in multi-device households or offices.
Best practices
- Use a short, descriptive name without spaces or special characters for maximum compatibility
- Avoid including personally identifying information in the device name if the PC will be used on public networks
- Rename immediately after setup, before the default name gets referenced elsewhere
- Restart promptly after renaming to ensure network services pick up the change
Common problems and fixes
- New name doesn't appear on the network yet
- Restart the PC, since the name change requires a reboot to propagate to networking services.
- Rename option is grayed out
- On domain-joined business PCs, renaming may require administrator or IT department permissions.
- Special characters aren't accepted
- Use only letters, numbers, and hyphens; Windows restricts certain characters in device names for compatibility.
Tips and tricks
- Use consistent naming conventions across household devices, like 'Kitchen-PC' or 'Office-Laptop', to simplify network browsing
- Check the new name from another device on the same network after restarting to confirm the change propagated
Frequently asked questions
Does renaming affect my files or apps?
No, renaming the PC only changes its network identity, not your files, apps, or user account.
Can I rename a domain-joined work computer?
Often this requires IT administrator involvement due to domain policies.
Does this change my Microsoft account name?
No, the device name and your Microsoft account display name are completely separate.
Related settings
- About / System InformationAbout shows your PC's core specifications at a glance — processor, installed RAM, device ID, and system type — alongside your exact Windows edition, version, and build number. It's the single quickest place to find the information support technicians, driver downloads, and compatibility checks almost always ask for first.
- Domain or Workgroup SettingsLets you configure whether this PC belongs to a home network workgroup or a business network domain, which affects sign-in options, network resource access, and group policy management.
More System Info guides for Windows
- Date & TimeDate & Time settings control your system clock, time zone, and whether Windows sets these automatically using your location and an internet time server. Correct time settings matter well beyond the clock display — they affect file timestamps, certificate validation, scheduled tasks, and login to network resources.
- ActivationActivation shows whether your copy of Windows is genuinely licensed and linked to your hardware or Microsoft account, which edition you're running, and lets you enter a new product key or upgrade to a different edition, like from Home to Pro. A properly activated Windows unlocks full personalization options and removes the persistent activation watermark.
- Advanced System SettingsAdvanced System Settings (opened via sysdm.cpl or 'Advanced system settings' in search) is a legacy System Properties dialog covering performance options like visual effects and virtual memory, system startup and recovery behavior, user profile management, and manual environment variable editing. These controls predate the modern Settings app and remain the only place for several deeper configuration options.
- System Protection & Restore PointsConfigures System Restore, which periodically saves snapshots of system files and settings so you can roll the PC back to an earlier working state after a problematic driver or software installation.
- Environment VariablesLets advanced users view and edit environment variables such as PATH, TEMP, and custom variables that control how applications, scripts, and the command line locate files and behave.
- User Account Control SettingsControls how often Windows prompts for confirmation before allowing apps or processes to make changes that require administrator privileges, balancing security against interruption frequency.