- Renaming your PC improves organization, security, and management of network devices, both at home and in the office.
- Windows 10 and 11 allow you to change the name from Settings, Control Panel, or System Properties with 'sysdm.cpl'.
- The name must follow the rules: letters, numbers and hyphens, without spaces, with a recommended length of up to 15 characters.
- The change requires a reboot to be reflected in the system and local network.
If you've ever seen a strange computer name on your home network and didn't know which computer it was, don't panic: renaming your PC in Windows is very easy and provides order, security, and control. With a clear and identifiable name, you'll instantly locate your device in any list of connected devices, Bluetooth, or management tools.
Furthermore, leaving behind generic names that come from the factory is a good idea. The default names They often include clues about the brand or model, which is not advisable for privacy reasons. Fortunately, Windows 10 and Windows 11 allow you to change it in a couple of clicks, either from Settings, through the Control Panel, or by going directly to System Properties with a shortcut.
Why it's a good idea to change your team name
There are compelling reasons to take a minute to do this, even at home. The organization of the device park This is the most obvious reason: if you use multiple computers with your Microsoft account or share a network with more people, a specific name prevents confusion when you look at the list of connected computers.
Security also comes into play. A generic name can reveal the device's manufacturer or family, giving unnecessary clues to third parties. By personalizing it, you reduce that footprint and make your device less obvious on the local network.
Finally, in professional environments or when you manage multiple PCs, a consistent naming convention Simplify inventory, technical support, and maintenance. Labels by position, person, area, or function (e.g., 'Design-01' or 'Reception-HP') can greatly streamline daily operations.
How to change the computer name in Windows 10
Although Windows 11 is already established, Windows 10 is still widespread. The good news is that the process in this version is straightforward and you can do it in two ways. Both methods end at the same configuration point where you enter the new name and apply the change.
Method 1: From the Settings app
The easiest route is through the system settings. Go into Settings with the Win+I keyboard shortcut, or from the Start menu by searching for 'Settings'. Once there, go to 'System' and scroll down to the 'About' section.
On the device information screen, you'll see details such as the processor, memory, identifiers, and the current device name. The button appears right there. 'Rename this PC' or 'Rename'. Click to open the pop-up window that allows you to enter the new name.
Enter a name that meets Windows rules: only letters (AZ), numbers and hyphens. Spaces and other characters are not allowed. Symbols. Once you have it, confirm with 'Next'.
To complete the operation, Windows suggests a reboot. You can choose between 'Restart now' or 'Restart later'. The change will be fully reflected on the network and system after that restart.
Method 2: Starting in Control Panel
If you're using the classic Control Panel, it will also take you to the appropriate screen. Open Control Panel From the Start menu, go to 'System and Security' and then 'System'.
In that section, you'll see several options related to your device. Among them, an entry to view or display the device name. When you press it, Windows redirects you to the 'About' tab in Settings, the same destination as the previous method.
From there, the procedure remains the same: click 'Rename this PC' or 'Rename', enter the new identifier according to the rules, and confirm. Remember that the restart It is necessary for the change to be applied permanently.
How to change the computer name in Windows 11
In Windows 11, the steps are practically identical, with the interface tweaked but the logic intact. Everything is done from Settings or, if you prefer, with the System Properties window launched with a shortcut. For more details, you can see the guide for rename your PC in Windows 11.
Method 1: From Settings in Windows 11
Open the Settings app with Win+I or by searching for it from Start. Access the 'System' section, which usually loads by default when you open Settings. At the very top, you'll see the current team name, and just below it, the button to rename it.
Click 'Rename' to open the window where you can enter the new label. You can use letters, numbers and hyphens; no spaces or special characters are allowed. Enter the name, confirm with 'Next,' and let Windows prepare the change.
Upon completion, you will be given the option to restart now or later. Until you reboot, the new name will not appear on the system or on the local network.
Method 2: System Properties with 'sysdm.cpl'
If you want to get straight to the point, use the Win+R shortcut to open 'Run'. Type 'sysdm.cpl' and click OK. The classic System Properties window will open.
In that window, go to the 'Team Name' tab. You will see a text that says that you can change the team name or the domain or workgroup. Click the 'Change…' button.
A box will appear to enter your new name. Enter it following the rules (no spaces, only letters, numbers, and hyphens) and confirm with OK. Windows will ask you to restart for the change to become effective.
Team Name Rules and Limits
Before writing anything, it's a good idea to know the limitations imposed by Windows. The device name must comply with a set of formatting rules to avoid errors.
- Allowed characters: letters A to Z (uppercase or lowercase), digits, and hyphens.
- No spaces or symbols: Spaces, accents, tildes, punctuation or special marks are not accepted.
- Maximum recommended length: 15 characters to ensure compatibility with services and networks that use NetBIOS-style identifiers.
Following these criteria will prevent you from seeing error messages when confirming the change. If Windows rejects the name, check that there are no hidden spaces, strange symbols, or that you haven't gone too far with the length.
Naming ideas to distinguish your equipment
Choosing a consistent name isn't just aesthetically pleasing: it makes management much easier when multiple PCs are connected. At home you can be creative, but try to make the result identifiable and useful when looking at the list of devices.
In shared offices or teams, think of a simple, repeatable convention. Some functional approaches They include the job title (for example, 'Table-12'), the role ('HP-Edition' or 'Accounting-02'), or the employee ('PC-AnaG').
Another option is to mix brand or model with purpose. Combinations like 'Lenovo-Reception' or 'Dell-Design' help you locate your equipment and how to use it at a glance. Maintaining a consistent pattern reduces ambiguity.
To enhance privacy, avoid names that include personal information such as name of registered owner. The less you tell about yourself On the web, it's better. A functional nickname or internal code does its job without exposing unnecessary information.
When and where you will see the new name reflected
Once the change is applied and after a reboot, the new identifier appears in various places throughout the system. You'll see it in Settings, in the 'System' and 'About' sections, and also in network dialog boxes and Bluetooth device lists.
On local networks, the computer will be shown with that label to other computers when they search for it. shared resources or devices available. If you notice that another PC still sees the old name, give it a few minutes or restart that other computer to force the network information to update.
Step-by-step summary guide for each method
Windows 10 from Settings
- Open 'Settings' with Win+I or from Start and go to 'System'.
- Scroll to 'About' and tap 'Rename this PC'.
- Enter a valid name and click 'Next'.
- Restart now or later to apply the changes.
If you follow this path, you will always arrive at the same renaming box, whether you do it from Settings or from other routes. The key point is confirm with 'Next' and complete the reboot.
Windows 10 via Control Panel
- Control Panel > System and Security > System.
- Click on the option to see the team name, which takes you to 'About'.
- Select 'Rename this PC', enter the new name and confirm.
- Reboot when prompted by the system.
This method is useful if you work a lot with the classic view of Windows. Even if you start in the Control Panel, you'll end up in the 'About' tab of Settings to type in the new name.
Windows 11 from Settings
- Open 'Settings' with Win+I and go to 'System'.
- Click 'Rename' next to the current PC name.
- Enter a valid name and click 'Next'.
- Choose 'Restart now' or do it later.
The interface changes slightly from Windows 10, but the process is the same. A reboot is always required to consolidate the change in the system and in the network.
Windows 11 and Windows 10 with 'sysdm.cpl'
- Press Win+R, type 'sysdm.cpl' and confirm.
- On the 'Team Name' tab, click 'Change…'.
- Enter the new name and confirm with OK.
- Restart when prompted by Windows.
This route is very direct if you are comfortable with shortcuts. It also allows you to see the computer's current workgroup or domain from the same classic window.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is trying to use spaces or characters that Windows doesn't support. If the system shows you an error When confirming, please check that the text only includes letters, numbers, and hyphens, and that the length does not exceed the recommended limit.
Another common mistake is not restarting. Until you rebootThe change isn't reflected on your computer or network. If you postpone the restart, remember to do so later to consolidate the new name.
If after renaming you don't see the change on other machines on the network, it may be a cache update issue. Wait a few minutes or restart the other devices to force detection of the updated name.
Good security and administration practices
Prevent the name from revealing sensitive information about the device or its owner. Do not include personal data complete, nor information that could suggest the type of device or its capacity, unless it is essential within your corporate convention.
If you manage multiple PCs, define a pattern and stick to it. A naming standard Clear with department prefixes, function suffixes or sequential numbering makes life easier for everyone: technical support, network managers and users.
Finally, document the names and their correspondence with each machine. Keep a simple record in a spreadsheet or in your inventory tool, avoid duplications and save time when identifying or replacing equipment.
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