Where to find your computer name right now

Your computer name is a label your machine uses on a network — it's what other devices see when they look for your computer to share files or printers. On Windows, the fastest way is to right-click the Start button, select "System", and look for "Device name" near the top. On Mac, click the Apple menu, choose "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older versions), select "General", then "About", and you'll see "Computer Name" at the top of the window.

If you're at a command line or terminal and need the name when ready, Windows users can type hostname and press Enter. Mac users can open Terminal (find it in Applications > Utilities) and type hostname as well. Both will print your computer name in one line.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Settings from the Start menu, go to System, and look for "Device name" in the first section.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click General, then About, and the computer name appears at the top.
  • You can also type hostname in Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac) to see the name when ready.
  • Your computer name is what appears when you connect to a network or share files with other devices.
  • If you need to change your computer name, you can do so in the same Settings or System Preferences window where you found it.

Finding your computer name in Windows 10 and 11

Open the Start menu and right-click the Start button itself (the Windows logo). From the menu that appears, click "System". You'll see a window with your device information. Look for the line labeled "Device name" — that's your computer name. It usually appears near the top, just below a section showing your Windows version.

If you're using an older version of Windows, you can also find this by right-clicking "This PC" or "My Computer" on your desktop, selecting "Properties", and looking for "Computer name" in the window that opens. The location varies slightly between versions, but the name is always in the main system information section.

Finding your computer name on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen. Select "System Settings" if you're on macOS Ventura or newer, or "System Preferences" on older versions. Once the window opens, click "General" in the sidebar on the left. Then click the "About" button. At the very top of the About window, you'll see "Computer Name" followed by the name of your machine.

The computer name on a Mac is also called the "local hostname" in some contexts. If you see both a "Computer Name" and a "Local Hostname" listed, the Computer Name is what you'll see when sharing files or connecting to networks with other people.

Using the command line to check your computer name

If you're comfortable with a command line, this is the quickest method on either system. On Windows, press the Windows key and type "Command Prompt", then press Enter. In the black window that opens, type hostname and press Enter. Your computer name will print on the next line.

On Mac, open Finder, go to Applications, then Utilities, and double-click Terminal. Type hostname and press Enter. Your computer name will appear when ready. This method is useful if you're troubleshooting network issues or need the name for a script or configuration file.

Why you might need your computer name

Your computer name becomes important when you're sharing files across a home or office network, connecting to a printer on that network, or setting up remote access to your machine. When someone else on your network wants to find your computer, they'll search for it by this name. It also appears in network settings and system logs, so IT support staff may ask for it when helping you troubleshoot.

If your computer has a generic name like "DESKTOP-ABC123" or "MacBook-Pro", you might want to change it to something more recognizable — especially if you have multiple computers at home. The same Settings or System Preferences window where you found the name will let you change it, though you may need to restart your computer for the change to take effect.

What to do if you can't find your computer name

If the Settings window on Windows doesn't show a clear "Device name" field, make sure you're in the right place. Open Settings by clicking the Start button and typing "Settings", then click the Settings app. Go to System > About and scroll down — the device name should be visible there. If it's still not showing, your system may have a display issue, but the hostname command in Command Prompt will always work.

On Mac, if the About window doesn't show a Computer Name, your Mac may be using only a local hostname instead. You can still use the Terminal command hostname to see what your machine is called on the network. If you need to set a Computer Name and one isn't showing, you can create one in the same About window by clicking "Edit" next to the current name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my computer name the same as my username?

No. Your username is the account you log into on your computer. Your computer name is the label for the entire machine on a network. You can have multiple user accounts on one computer, but the computer name stays the same for all of them.

Can I change my computer name?

Yes. On Windows, right-click the Start button, go to System, and look for "Rename this PC" — click it and type a new name. On Mac, open System Settings > General > About and click "Edit" next to the Computer Name. Both require a restart to take effect.

What happens if two computers on my network have the same name?

Windows will usually add a number to the duplicate name automatically. On Mac, you may see a warning. It's best to give each computer a unique name to avoid confusion when sharing files or connecting to printers.

Does my computer name affect my internet speed or performance?

No. Your computer name is only used on local networks and for identification. It has no effect on how fast your internet connection works or how your computer performs.

What if I see a different name in different places?

On Mac especially, you might see both a "Computer Name" and a "Local Hostname". The Computer Name is what you'll see in file sharing and network browsing. The Local Hostname is a technical name used behind the scenes. Both refer to the same machine.