PC Name - Change in Windows 8

How to Change your PC Name in Windows 8 and 8.1

information   Information
PCs on a network need unique names so they can identify and communicate with each other. If two PCs have the same name on the same network, it creates a conflict for network communications. Most PCs come with default names, but you can usually change them. It's best to keep PC names short (fifteen characters or less) and easily recognizable.

It is recommend that you use only Internet-standard characters in the PC name. The standard characters are the numbers 0 through 9, uppercase and lowercase letters from A through Z, and the hyphen (-) character. PC names cannot consist entirely of numbers, nor can they contain spaces. The name also cannot contain special characters, such as the following:

` ~ @ # $ % ^ & ( ) = + [ ] { } | ; : , ‘ “ . < > / ?


This tutorial will show you how to change your PC name (aka: computer name) to any name you like in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to change the PC name.

Note   Note
Some Internet service providers (ISPs) require you to use a specific PC name so they can identify your PC and validate your account. If your ISP requires a specific PC name, then don't change the name they give you.





OPTION ONE

To Change Computer Name in PC settings


NOTE: This option is only available in Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Update.
1. Open PC settings, and click/tap on PC and devices on the left side. (see screenshot below)​
PC_settings_PC_Name-1.jpg
2. Click/tap on PC info on the left side of "PC and devices", and click/tap on the Rename button under the PC section on the right side. (see screenshot below)​
PC_settings_PC_Name-2.jpg
3. Type in a new name you want for your PC, and click/tap on Save. (see screenshot below)​
PC_settings_PC_Name-3.jpg
4. Click/tap on Restart now to restart your PC and apply the new PC name. (see screenshot below)​
WARNING: This will restart your PC immediately. Be sure that you save and close anything you have open first.​
PC_settings_PC_Name-4.jpg
5. If your old computer name still shows in Network, then restart your router/modem.​





OPTION TWO

To Change Computer Name in System Properties


1. Do step 2 or 3 below for how you would like to open System Properties.​
2. Open the (Win+X) Power Users Tasks Menu, click/tap on System, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)​
Win-X.jpg
3. Open the Control Panel (icons view), click/tap on the System icon, and go to step 4 below.​
4. Click/tap on either the Advanced system settings link on the left side or Change settings link on the right side. (see screenshot below)​
System.jpg
5. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.​
6. Click/tap on the Computer Name tab, then click/tap on the Change button. (see screenshot below)​
Change_PC_Name-1.jpg
7. Type in a new name you want for your PC at the top, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​
Change_PC_Name-2.jpg
8. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​
NOTE: This does not restart the computer yet.​
Change_PC_Name-3.jpg
9. Click/tap on Close. (see screenshot below)​
NOTE: Notice your new "Full computer name".​
Change_PC_Name-4.jpg
10. Click/tap on Restart Now. (see screenshot below)​
WARNING: This will restart your PC immediately. Be sure that you save and close anything you have open first.​
Change_PC_Name-5.jpg
11. If your old computer name still shows in Network, then restart your router/modem.​





OPTION THREE

To Change Computer Name in Command Prompt


2. In the elevated command prompt, type the command below, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)​
Code:
wmic computersystem where name="%computername%" call rename name="[B][COLOR=red]Computer-Name[/COLOR][/B]"
Note   Note
Substitute Computer-Name in the command above with the actual name you want for your PC within quotes.

Note   Note

3. When successfully finished, close the command prompt, and restart the computer to apply.​
Change_Computer_Name_Command.png

That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

  • Computer.png
    Computer.png
    15.5 KB · Views: 332
Last edited:
Shawn-Is there any chance of any problems with this name change process? it looks straightforward but anything like this scares me.Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Hello jrwskw, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Shouldn't be any problems. If you experience any, please feel free to post about it. We'll see what we can do to help. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Well, it turns out that isn't what I want to change. Just went from 8 to 8.1 couple days ago. So for example when have screen up with all the panes in upper right it now says my first and last name. I had that as our last name plural before 8.1. When I go the route set out above the computer's actual name is still LivingRoom. So, can I change the other back and how? Thank you!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
jrwskw,

Yes, you can change the computer name back to what you wanted again.

Afterwards, you can use what Edwin posted above to change your user account name to what you wanted instead. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
My computer still thinks it's name is the original name it was setup with even though the pc name has been changed and it has been restarted the base for everything in the file table is the original name of the computer how do I change that?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 15z
    CPU
    Core I5
    Memory
    8gb ddr4
    Graphics Card(s)
    intergrated
    Browser
    windows
    Antivirus
    macaffe

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion
  • PC2
    Tablet - Windows 10 Home
Back
Top