Where to find your computer name

Your computer name is a label Windows or Mac assigns to your device so it can be identified on a network. You need it when connecting to shared printers, setting up remote access, or troubleshooting network problems. The fastest way to find it depends on whether you use Windows or Mac.

On Windows, right-click the Start button, select "System", and look for "Device name" near the top of the window. On Mac, click the Apple menu, select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older versions), then click "General" and look for "Computer Name" at the top.

Key Takeaways

  • Your computer name appears in Windows under Settings > System, labeled as "Device name".
  • On Mac, find it in System Settings > General under "Computer Name".
  • You can also see your computer name by opening Command Prompt on Windows and typing "hostname", or Terminal on Mac and typing "hostname".
  • If you need to change your computer name, Windows requires a restart, but Mac does not.

Finding your computer name in Windows

Open the Start menu and type "Settings" into the search box, then click the Settings app. Once it opens, click "System" in the left sidebar, then scroll down slightly to find "Device name" near the top of the page. This is your computer name.

If you prefer using the command line, open Command Prompt by pressing Windows key + R, typing "cmd", and pressing Enter. Type "hostname" and press Enter. The name that appears is your computer name. This method is faster if you just need to check the name quickly without opening the full Settings window.

Finding your computer name on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings" (on newer Macs) or "System Preferences" (on older versions). Click "General" in the sidebar. At the top of the window, you will see "Computer Name" — this is the name your Mac uses on networks.

You can also open Terminal by pressing Command + Space, typing "Terminal", and pressing Enter. Type "hostname" and press Enter to see your computer name displayed. Terminal shows the actual system name, which may differ slightly from the friendly name shown in System Settings, though they are usually the same.

Why you need your computer name

Network printers, shared folders, and remote access tools all use your computer name to find your device. When someone asks you to share files over a local network, they may need your computer name to locate your machine. If you are setting up a printer on your home network, the printer may ask for your computer name to establish the connection.

Remote desktop software and IT support tools also use your computer name as an identifier. If your computer is part of a workplace domain, the domain administrator may reference your computer name when deploying updates or managing security settings. Knowing where to find it saves time when you need to provide it to a technician or colleague.

Changing your computer name

On Windows, go to Settings > System, find "Device name", and click "Rename this PC". Type the new name you want and click "Next". Windows will ask you to restart your computer for the change to take effect. After the restart, your computer will use the new name on all networks.

On Mac, open System Settings > General and click the edit button next to "Computer Name". Type the new name and press Enter. The change takes effect when ready without a restart. Keep computer names short and avoid special characters or spaces, as some older devices may not recognize them properly.

What to do if you cannot find your computer name

If the Settings window does not show a device name on Windows, your system may not be fully set up. Try restarting your computer first — sometimes the name does not display until after a fresh boot. If the problem persists, open Command Prompt and type "hostname" to see if the system has a name assigned at the command level.

On Mac, if System Settings does not show a computer name, try opening Terminal and typing "scutil --get ComputerName" to see what name the system recognizes. If neither method shows a name, your computer may need to be set up through the initial setup process again, though this is rare on machines that have been in use.

Computer names versus usernames

Your computer name and your user account name are different things. The computer name identifies the device itself on a network. Your username identifies you as the person using that device. You can have multiple user accounts on one computer, each with a different username, but the computer itself has only one name.

When connecting to a shared network resource, you may need both pieces of information. For example, a network printer might ask for "Computer Name" to locate your device, while a shared folder might ask for "Username" to verify that you have permission to access it. Knowing the difference prevents confusion when setting up network connections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any name for my computer?

Most systems accept letters, numbers, and hyphens, but avoid spaces and special characters like @ or #. Keep the name under 15 characters on Windows for best compatibility with older devices. Mac is more flexible but shorter names are still easier to type and remember.

Will changing my computer name affect my files or programs?

No. Changing your computer name does not touch your files, programs, or settings. It only changes how the device identifies itself on a network. You may need to reconnect to shared printers or network drives after the change, but your personal data remains untouched.

What if my computer name has a number or random characters in it?

Windows and Mac sometimes assign default names like "DESKTOP-ABC123" or "MacBook-Pro-2" if you skip naming during setup. You can change it to anything you prefer. A descriptive name like "Home-Office-PC" or "Kitchen-Mac" makes it easier to identify your device when connecting to networks.

Is my computer name the same as my WiFi network name?

No. Your computer name is what identifies your device on a network. Your WiFi network name (called an SSID) is what identifies the wireless network itself. You can change either one independently without affecting the other.