How to rename PC on Windows 11

• To change the PC name on Windows 11, open Settings > System > About, click “Rename this PC,” confirm a new computer name, and restart the computer.
• Alternatively, you can use Nearby Sharing settings, Control Panel, and PowerShell to rename your PC on Windows 11.

On Windows 11, changing the PC name is not just about personalization. When you have multiple devices (such as desktops and laptops) and don’t keep them organized, it becomes harder to find them on the network, inventory them, and use certain features.

For instance, most people now use a Microsoft account to sign in to Windows 11. This type of account allows you to sign in to your devices with the same credentials. It also helps you keep an organized inventory (in your Microsoft account) and use features such as finding your device and activation after a hardware change. If you don’t assign a descriptive computer name, the system will assign a random name, making it more difficult to organize and use the different features.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to change the name of a Windows 11 laptop, desktop, or tablet using the Settings app, Control Panel, and PowerShell.

• Rename PC on Windows 11
• Rename PC from Control Panel
• Rename PC from PowerShell
• Rename PC from Nearby Sharing
• Pureinfotech’s Take

Rename PC on Windows 11

To rename PC on Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

2. Click on System.

   Quick tip: The “Home” and “System” pages also include a quick “Rename” button at the top of the page.

3. Click the About tab.

4. Click the “Rename this PC” button under the “Device specifications” section.

   

5. Confirm the new name for the computer.

   

   Quick tip: Avoid any special characters, keep it short (less than 15 characters is always recommended), and don’t leave a space when using multiple words.

6. Click the Next button.

7. Click the Restart now button.

Once you complete the steps, the computer will restart to apply the new name on Windows 11.

The “Home” page and the “System” section in the Settings app also include a more direct “Rename” option in the top-left corner to change the computer’s name.

Rename PC from Control Panel

To rename the computer name with Control Panel on Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Open Control Panel.

2. Click on System and Security.

3. Under the “System” section, click the “Allow remote access” option.

   

4. Click the Computer Name tab.

5. Click the Change button.

   

6. Confirm a new name for your computer.

   

7. Click the OK button.

8. Click the OK button again.

9. Click the Close button.

10. Click the Restart Now button.

After you complete the steps, the computer will reboot and, upon restart, will start using the new name.

Rename PC from PowerShell

To change a Windows 11 PC name with PowerShell, follow these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

3. Type the following command to rename the PC name on Windows 11 and press Enter:

   Rename-Computer -NewName "NEW-PC-NAME"

   

4. Type the following command to restart the device and press Enter:

   Restart-Computer

After you complete the steps, Windows 11 will restart the system to apply the new name.

Rename PC from Nearby Sharing

To rename PC from the Nearby Sharing page, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on System.

3. Click the Nearby Sharing page.

4. Click the “Rename” button in the “Your device is discoverable as User’s PC” setting.

   

5. Confirm the new name for the computer.

   

6. Click the Next button.

7. Click the Restart now button.

Once you complete the steps, the system will apply the new name on Windows 11.

Pureinfotech’s Take

I still recommend naming every computer something that actually tells you what it is. It seems like a small detail, but once you have more than one desktop or laptop, names like DESKTOP-7K3L2Q quickly become useless when you’re trying to identify a device.

I also prefer using the Settings app. Microsoft has made the option easy to find in several places, so there’s little reason to dig through the older Control Panel unless you’re already there or need a command for automation.

The fact that wmic is no longer available also means some older instructions for renaming a computer are no longer useful. PowerShell is the better replacement if you prefer working from the command line, and it fits the direction Microsoft has been taking with Windows for years.

For most people, though, I’d simply pick a short, descriptive name and move on. It makes managing multiple PCs much easier and can save confusion later.

What are your thoughts on changing the PC name on Windows 11? Let me know in the comments.