Quick Tip: How To Change Your Devices Name in Windows 10

Even if you do not have a lot of devices on your home network it is important to have recognizable names for each of your Windows 10 machines.

Richard Hay, Senior Content Producer

November 30, 2016

2 Min Read
Quick Tip: How To Change Your Devices Name in Windows 10

Whenever a new installation of Windows 10 is completed that device is given a unique computer name that looks something like WIN-XXXXXXXXXXXX with those X's representing a random sequence of numbers and letters.

While this is certainly a unique name, it can prove confusing when you head into your Microsoft Account to perform any specific device related actions because there is no rhyme or reason behind the randomly created name. The same thing can happen if you have a home network with more than one device - imagine trying to sort through those cryptic names.

So to help eliminate this confusion it is very easy to rename any Windows 10 device so that each one you have has a unique and descriptive name that helps you understand exactly which device you are trying to use or manage.

I am going to show you how to change a Windows 10 device name in the Windows Settings app but, just like many tasks in Windows, there is more than one way to accomplish this task including the System applet in the legacy Control Panel.

To get started open the Windows Settings app and select System and then the About option at the bottom of the left hand menu sidebar.

Next select the Rename PC button near the top of the About page.

In the subsequent dialog enter the descriptive name of this device. Keep in mind that you can not use certain characters in your device name:

Once you have your device properly named click on the Next button.

You will need to restart your system, either now or later, to finalize the device name change.

But, wait...there's probably more so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Google+.

About the Author

Richard Hay

Senior Content Producer, IT Pro Today (Informa Tech)

I served for 29 plus years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in November 2011. My work background in the Navy was telecommunications related so my hobby of computers fit well with what I did for the Navy. I consider myself a tech geek and enjoy most things in that arena.

My first website – AnotherWin95.com – came online in 1995. Back then I used GeoCities Web Hosting for it and WindowsObserver.com is the result of the work I have done on that site since 1995.

In January 2010 my community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when I received my first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for the Windows Operating System. Since then I have been renewed as a Microsoft MVP each subsequent year since that initial award. I am also a member of the inaugural group of Windows Insider MVPs which began in 2016.

I previously hosted the Observed Tech PODCAST for 10 years and 317 episodes and now host a new podcast called Faith, Tech, and Space. 

I began contributing to Penton Technology websites in January 2015 and in April 2017 I was hired as the Senior Content Producer for Penton Technology which is now Informa Tech. In that role, I contribute to ITPro Today and cover operating systems, enterprise technology, and productivity.

https://twitter.com/winobs

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