Changing Your Windows 10 Hostname Without Losing the Plot
Renaming your Windows 10 device? It’s straightforward, but sometimes it can feel a bit puzzling. Whether you’re tidying up your home network or juggling multiple gadgets, getting that hostname right makes life a whole lot easier. A snappy new name helps your machine stand out and makes it clear to everyone — whether in the lounge or the office — whose device is whose. Just remember to give it a quick restart afterward; otherwise, it’ll still be showing the old name. Keep that in mind!
Right, let’s get stuck into it! Start by opening the Control Panel. You can do this by clicking the Start menu or pressing the Windows key and typing “Control Panel”. Click on the icon, and you’re in. If you’re in a rush and want to skip the extra steps, right-click on This PC on your desktop and select Properties for a quicker route to the settings.
Now that you’re in, look for “System and Security.” Within that section, you’ll find all sorts of options related to your computer’s safety and settings. Think of it as the command centre for your PC. If you prefer the new, shiny way, just head straight to:
Settings > System > About. It might save you a few clicks, too.
Next, click on “System” or head into Settings again. This area shows you details about your device — like which version of Windows you’re running, what hardware specs it has, and more. Basically, it’s all there: current device name, specs, and all that jazz.
Here’s the fun part: find and click on “Change settings” on the right side of the window. You’ll see your PC’s current name. If you’ve come through the Settings route, look for Rename this PC under “Device specifications.” Click it, and you’ll open up the options to give it a new name!
Type in your clever new hostname. It should be easy to remember, especially if you’ve got a bunch of devices. Keep it under 63 characters, and use only letters, numbers, and hyphens — no spaces or weird symbols. Why? Because Windows can be fussy, and the last thing you want is a clash of names down the track.
Once you’ve entered your chosen name, hit “OK” or “Apply” and prepare for a reboot. If you’re in Command Prompt or PowerShell, you can run:
Restart-Computerto speed things up. When your device restarts, the new hostname will be live across your system and network.
Extra Tips for Naming Your Device
A good hostname helps keep your network tidy — especially if you’ve got plenty of devices. Balance creativity with practicality. If your PC is part of a domain, you’ll need to follow certain naming rules to avoid any headaches.
Want to check your current hostname without leaving your Command Prompt? Just type:
hostname or
Get-ComputerInfo | Select-Object CsName. It’s a quick peek that’s super handy!
If things don’t go quite to plan? No worries. You can always revert to the old name by repeating the steps or running this command:
wmic computersystem where name="%COMPUTERNAME%" call rename name="Your-Old-HostName". Easy as that.
Summary of Steps
- Open the Control Panel (or go straight to: Settings > System > About).
- Navigate to “System and Security.”
- Click on “System” for more details.
- Select “Change settings” or Rename this PC.
- Enter your new hostname.
- Restart your device to apply the changes.
Changing your hostname isn’t just for looks; it can make managing your devices much easier. Once updated, you’ll notice it reflected across your network, saving time and confusion later on. It’s one of those simple tweaks that makes a difference.
And if you fancy getting deeper into network management, explore options like Advanced IP Configuration or DHCP reservations on your router — it’s like giving your network a bit of a organisational upgrade!