On Windows 11, if you have a device with a dual-boot configuration, you can change the name of the operating system, and in this guide, you will learn how. If you have a computer with multiple installations of Windows 11, 10, or Linux, every time you start the computer, the “Windows Boot Manager” will appear, allowing you to choose the operating system you want to start. However, you may need to change the name of the menu entries to identify better the operating system you want to start.
This is usually necessary if you are setting a dual-boot system with one installation of Windows 11 and another setup you use to install and test builds from the Windows Insider Program.
Regardless of the reason, Windows 11 (and 10) allows you to use the bcdedit (Boot Configuration Data Edit) tool to change the operating system name from the menu from Command Prompt.
This guide will teach you the steps to change the operating system name that appears in the boot manager menu on Windows 11 or 10.
Change operating system name in boot menu on Windows 11
To change the operating system name in the boot manager menu, use these steps:
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Open Start on Windows 11.
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Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
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Type the following command to check the operating system identifier and description and press Enter:
bcdedit
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Type the following command to change the operating system name in the boot menu and press Enter:
bcdedit /set {IDENTIFIER} description "NEW-NAME"
In the command, replace “IDENTIFIER” with the identifier information. For example, “current” would be the identifier for the current installation. Also, change “NEW-NAME” with the actual name you want to see in the boot loader – for example, Windows 11 Insider. If the name has spaces, you have to use quotation marks. This example changes the current installation to “Windows 11 Dev:”
bcdedit /set {current} description "Windows 11 Dev"
Once you complete the steps, the next time you start the computer, the boot manager will display the operating systems with the new name. You may need to repeat the instructions to rename other installations of Windows or another operating system.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].