Naming a computer is useful for managing the devices connected to your home network properly. Configuring this setting on a Windows computer is beneficial because it identifies the traffic generated on the network and recognizes the source of content being streamed, such as video or audio files. Thanks to the advent of Windows 10, it is now even easier to change the name of your computer.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Use the Settings Menu
Step 1. Enter the "Settings" menu
Windows 10 introduced a simplified "Settings" menu, which is very simple to understand and use. Select the "Start" button in the lower left corner of the desktop, then choose the "Settings" item. You will see a new screen appear in which there are nine icons related to different categories of settings.
Step 2. Access the "System" settings
Select the first icon located in the upper left corner of the screen called System. You will have access to a new section of the menu containing ten tabs listed on the left side of the screen. Choose the Info option. It should be the last option available from the top.
Step 3. Change your computer name
At the top right of the window you should see the Rename this PC button. Pressing it will display a new pop-up window where you can type in the new name to be assigned to the system. The current computer name is displayed above the text field to be used for entry.
- For example, if your computer is normally used to stream multimedia content such as video and audio, a name like "Media-Server" or "Media-Center-Home" may be a good choice.
- Note: The computer name can consist of letters, numbers, and hyphens, but cannot contain special symbols and blanks.
Step 4. Restart your computer
After entering the new name correctly, press the Next button and wait. If the name entered is correct, you will be asked to reboot the system in order to apply the new changes. In this case, press the Restart Now button. The computer will automatically restart and will be renamed with the new name chosen.
If for any reason you cannot restart the system now, you can do it later by pressing the Restart Later button
Method 2 of 2: Using the Control Panel
Step 1. Log in to the "Control Panel"
Press the hotkey combination ⊞ Win + R. The "Run" system window will appear in the lower left corner of the screen, containing the "Open" field; type in the command control and press the Enter key.
Step 2. Access the system settings screen
The "Control Panel" features eight different categories. Select the System and Security icon. It is located in the upper left corner of the "Control Panel" window.
Step 3. Find your computer's current name
A series of 10-11 different icons should have appeared. The third starting from the top should be called System and should also include a set of links among which there should also be the one called View the computer name. Selecting the latter you will be redirected to the "System" screen, which contains basic information relating to your computer, divided into four different sections.
Step 4. Find the Computer Name, Domain and Workgroup Settings section
The first option in this section, starting from the top, should be Computer Name: and should report the name currently assigned to the system. On the far right of the section under consideration, there should be a link Change settings; select it to continue.
Step 5. Rename the computer
You will see the "System Properties" dialog appear consisting of five tabs listed at the top. The currently visible tab should be the one labeled "Computer Name". At the bottom there should be a Change button. Press it to display a second dialog box where you can type the new name to be assigned to the system using the Computer name: text field. At the end of the insertion press the OK button located in the lower right corner of the window.
Step 6. Restart your computer
After entering the new name correctly, you will be asked to reboot the system in order to apply the new changes. In this case, close all running programs and save your work, then press the OK and Close buttons in succession. At this point you will be given two options to choose from. Hit the Restart Now button. The computer will automatically restart and will be renamed with the new name chosen.
