- To change the PC name on Windows 11, open Settings > System > About, click “Rename this PC,” confirm a new computer name, and restart the computer.
- On Command Prompt (admin), run the “hostname” command to check the current name and run the “WMIC computersystem where caption=’CURRENT-PC-NAME’ rename ‘NEWPCNAME'” to rename the device, and restart.
- Alternatively, you can use Nearby Sharing settings, Control Panel, and PowerShell to rename your PC on Windows 11.
On Windows 11, the ability to change the PC name is not only about personalization. When you have multiple devices (such as desktops and laptops), and if you do not keep them organized, it will be challenging to find them in the network, inventory them, and use certain features.
For instance, most people now use a Microsoft account to sign in to Windows 11. This type of account allows you to sign in to your devices with the same credentials. In addition, it helps to keep an organized inventory (in your Microsoft account) and use features, such as finding your device andactivation after a hardware change. If you don’t assign a descriptive computer name, the system will assign a random name, making it more difficult to organize and use the different features.
In this guide, I will teach you the steps to change the name of a Windows 11 laptop, desktop, or tablet using the Settings app, Control Panel, Command Prompt, and PowerShell. The option from Nearby Sharing is still in the preview, but it’s expected to roll out with the next feature drop update.
- Rename PC on Windows 11
- Rename PC from Control Panel
- Rename PC from Command Prompt
- Rename PC from PowerShell
- Rename PC from Nearby Sharing (preview)
Rename PC on Windows 11
To rename PC on Windows 11, use these steps:
Open Settings on Windows 11.
Click on System.
Quick tip: The “Home” and “System” pages also include a quick “Rename” button at the top of the page.
Click the About tab.
Click the “Rename this PC” button under the “Device specifications” section.
Confirm the new name for the computer.
Quick tip: Avoid any special characters, keep it short (less than 15 characters is always recommended), and don’t leave a space when using multiple words.
Click the Next button.
Click the Restart now button.
Once you complete the steps, the computer will restart to apply the new name on Windows 11.
Rename PC from Control Panel
To rename the computer name with Control Panel on Windows 11, use these steps:
Open Control Panel.
Click on System and Security.
Under the “System” section, click the “Allow remote access” option.
Click the Computer Name tab.
Click the Change button.
Confirm a new name for your computer.
Click the OK button.
Click the OK button again.
Click the Close button.
Click the Restart Now button.
After you complete the steps, the computer will reboot, and upon restart, it will start using the new name.
Rename PC from Command Prompt
To change your PC name on Windows 11 from Command Prompt, use these steps:
Open Start.
Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
Type the following command to determine the current device name and press Enter:
hostname
Type the following command to rename the Windows 11 PC and press Enter:
WMIC computersystem where caption='CURRENT-PC-NAME' rename 'NEWPCNAME'
In the command, update your information, and use single quotation marks when specifying the current and new names.[/tbx]
Type the following command to restart the device and press Enter:
shutdown -r -t 00
Once you complete the steps, the changes will apply after restarting the Windows 11 computer.
Rename PC from PowerShell
To change a Windows 11 PC name with PowerShell, use these steps:
Open Start.
Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
Type the following command to rename the PC name on Windows 11 and press Enter:
Rename-Computer -NewName "NEW-PC-NAME"
Type the following command to restart the device and press Enter:
Restart-Computer
After you complete the steps, Windows 11 will restart the system to apply the new name.
Rename PC from Nearby Sharing (preview)
To rename PC from the Nearby Sharing page, use these steps:
Open Settings.
Click on System.
Click the Nearby Sharing page.
Click the “Rename” button in the “Your device is discoverable as User’s PC” setting.
Confirm the new name for the computer.
Click the Next button.
Click the Restart now button.
Once you complete the steps, the system will apply the new name on Windows 11.
Update January 18, 2024: These instructions have been updated to ensure accuracy and add new steps from the Nearby Sharing page.
