How to Change Your Computer Name

For every PC or computer that is made, there is a computer name that is made for it as well.  The name is what you would normally see when you first log onto the computer and put in your password.  When a computer belongs to a network or a specific company that belongs to a group of computers, these names make it easy for a technician to distinguish one computer from another.

Sometimes when a computer changes network the name needs to be changed to fit a certain name scheme.  Or maybe the user of the computer is just bored with the name that they have.  Either way, the name needs to be changed.  Of course, you should make sure that it is okay to change your computer name first if the computer isn’t your personal PC.  There are some internet service providers that will ask their customers to use specific names so they know that you have an account with them.

Choosing a Name:

The first step to take when changing your computer name is to decide what the new one will be.  For reference purposes, the name should not be very long and should only consist of the letters in the alphabet from A-Z as well as the numbers 0-9.  The name should also not include any special characters or symbols.

The process for changing your computer’s name can vary based on the operating system that you have, be it Windows or Linux.  However, the directions follow the same basic guidelines with a few minor details are different.  The following is an example for two of these systems.

Windows:

If you change the name on a Windows operating system, you need to click on the "Start" button, go to "Control Panel," which will take you to the "System and Maintenance" section.  From there you will click on "System."  Under the information that includes the name of your computer and the domain it functions, select "Change Settings."  The computer may ask you to provide either your password or a confirmation code.  If so, enter that information.

Then, a screen will come up with "Computer Name" appearing.  Now, select "Change."  Underneath your computer name, you will erase the name that is presently there and replace it with the new name you have come up with and finally, select "OK."  The name will then be saved and show up the next time you login to the computer.

Linux

If you change the name using a Linux operating system, you will have to open up a terminal window and input the command reading “gksudo gedit/etc/hostname” and press "Enter."  It will ask you to enter your password.  Do so and then select "OK."  A file will then come up for the hostname; it will show the current name you have for the computer.  Erase that name and put in the new name.  You then click "Save," and restart the system so that once you log in, your new name will appear when you put in your password.

Photo Credits: aresauburn™

Originally posted 2010-05-22 03:26:35.

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Computer Tips, linux, Windows

Posted by How To Computer on January 3, 2012 in Computer Tips, linux, Windows. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.