If you have never had the need to rename your PC, then you are not alone. That is because unique names for computers are only primarily necessary if they are on a network.
This is so that the different devices can identify and communicate with each other.
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As you may expect, having two PCs with the same name on the same network creates a conflict for network communication. That said, Windows usually sets up default names for computers, but you can change them easily to any name you like.
You will be need to be signed in as an administrator to be able to change the name of your PC.
The two easiest ways to renaming your computer are via the Settings app and the System Properties.
Open the Settings app from the Start Menu or by pressing the keyboard shortcut Win + I, and then click or tap on the System icon to open up this panel.
Here, go to About on the left side, and there will be a Rename PC button on the right.
Clicking on that will open the above window where you can type in the new name you want for your PC, in any combination of letters, numbers and hyphens. Special characters like brackets, commas, question marks and other such symbols are not allowed.
You will be asked to restart your PC to have the new name applied, so be sure that you save and close anything that you have open first.
The second way to accomplish this in the System Properties screen.
You can either open the Control Panel in icons view and click on the System icon, or go to System Properties directly from the Power Menu by pressing the Win + X keys and selecting System.
The Change settings link on the right side under the Computer name, domain and workgroup settings section is the one you want to click to open the window where you can input your new name.
If prompted by UAC, click on Yes, and the following window will open up.
On the Computer Name tab, click on the Change button, and then type in a new name you want for your PC at the top. Changes will, once again, only take effect after you restart your computer, so proceed accordingly.
It is best to keep PC names short and easily recognizable, ideally fifteen characters or less.
