How to Rename a Network Connection in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
Information
A network connection is a set of information that enables your computer to connect to the Internet, a network, or another computer. When you install a network adapter in your computer, Windows automatically names and creates a connection for it in the Network Connections folder. A local area connection is created for an Ethernet network adapter. A wireless network connection is created for a wireless network adapter.
This tutorial will show you how to change the name of a network connection (adapter) to any name you like in Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.
This tutorial will show you how to change the name of a network connection (adapter) to any name you like in Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.
Note
A connection name cannot contain tabs or any of the following characters:
\ / : * ? < > |
\ / : * ? < > |
OPTION ONE
To Rename Network Connection in Network Connections Folder
1. Do step 2 or 3 below for how you would like to open the Network and Sharing Center.
2. On your desktop, right click on the Network icon in the taskbar notification area, click/tap on Open Network and Sharing Center, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)
3. Open the Control Panel (icons view), click/tap on the Network and Sharing Center icon, and go to step 4 below.
4. In Network and Sharing Center, click/tap on the Change adapter settings link on the left side. (see screenshot below)
5. Do step 6 or 7 below for how you would like to rename the connection. (see screenshot below)
6. Select (highlight) the connection (ex: Ethernet-2) that you want to rename, click/tap on Rename this connection in the toolbar, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below step 5)
7. Right click on the connection (ex: Ethernet-2) that you want to rename, click/tap on Rename, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below step 5)
8. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.
9. Type in a new name for the connection, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
10. You can now close the Network Connections folder if you like.
OPTION TWO
To Rename Network Connection in an Elevated Command Prompt
1. Open an elevated command prompt.
2. In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: This command will give you a list of your current network connections.
netsh interface show interface
3. Under the "Interface Name" column, make note of the network connect name (ex: Ethernet-2) that you want to change. (see screenshot above)
4. In the elevated command prompt, type the command below, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: This command is what renames the network connection.
netsh interface set interface name="CURRENT NAME" newname="NEW NAME"
For example, if I wanted to rename Ethernet-2 to Ethernet-Router, I would type this command below exactly.
netsh interface set interface name="Ethernet-2" newname="Ethernet-Router"
5. When finished, you can now close the elevated command prompt if you like.
OPTION THREE
To Rename Network Connection in Registry Editor
1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.
3. In Registry Editor, navigate to the location below, and select (highlight) the Network key. (see screenshot below)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Network
4. Use the Find and Find Next feature in Registry Editor to search for your current network connection name (ex: Ethernet-2). (see screenshot below)
5. When found, you should see your current network connection name (ex: Ethernet-2) as the Name string value of the Connection key like below.
6. In the right pane of Connection, double click/tap on the Name string value to modify it. (see screenshot above)
7. Type in a new name for the connection, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
8. When finished, you can now close Registry Editor if you like.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
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- How to Create a "Network Connections" Shortcut in Windows 7 and Windows 8
- How to Change your PC Name in Windows 8 and 8.1
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- How to Change the Network Connection Priority in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
- Enable and Use Alternate Configuration in Windows 8 and 8.1 TCP/IP Properties
- How to Enable or Disable a Network Adapter (NIC) in Windows
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