How To Find Your Computer’s Name In Windows

Overview

Finding your computer’s name in Windows is a simple task that can be useful in various situations, such as troubleshooting network issues, connecting to shared resources, or managing user permissions. The computer name, also known as the hostname, is a unique identifier given to a computer on a network. It helps distinguish your computer from others and allows for efficient communication between devices.

In this article, we will explore several methods to find your computer’s name in Windows. These methods are applicable to different versions of Windows, including Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. Depending on your preference and familiarity with various Windows tools, you can choose the method that suits you best.

With a variety of options available, you can find your computer name using the Control Panel, Command Prompt, PowerShell, System Information, File Explorer, Windows Settings, Task Manager, Registry Editor, or Computer Management. Each method provides a slightly different approach to accessing your computer’s name, so you can choose the one that fits your needs and comfort level.

Knowing your computer’s name can help you interact with other devices on the network more effectively. It allows you to identify your computer when sharing files or printers, connecting to a local network, or troubleshooting network-related issues. Additionally, if you need to join a homegroup, remote into your computer, or configure network settings, having your computer name readily available can save you time and effort.

Now that you have an understanding of why knowing your computer’s name is important, let’s proceed to the methods. We will guide you step-by-step through each method, ensuring that you can easily locate your computer’s name in Windows, regardless of your technical skill level.

Method 1: Using Control Panel

The Control Panel is a centralized location in Windows that allows you to access various system settings and configure different aspects of your computer. You can use the Control Panel to find your computer’s name by following these steps:

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type “Control Panel“.
2. Press Enter to open the Control Panel.
3. In the Control Panel window, set the view option to “Large icons” or “Small icons” to see all the available options.
4. Click on the “System” or “System and Security” option.
5. Within the System settings, you will find the computer name listed under the “Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings” section.

The computer name will be displayed next to the “Computer name:” label. Make a note of the computer name for future reference or use it as needed for network-related tasks.

Using the Control Panel to find your computer’s name is a straightforward method that doesn’t require any technical expertise. It is suitable for users who are comfortable navigating through Windows settings and prefer a graphical interface to access system information.

Now that you know how to find your computer’s name using the Control Panel, let’s move on to the next method, which involves using the Command Prompt.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt

The Command Prompt is a powerful tool in Windows that allows you to execute various commands and perform advanced system tasks. You can also use Command Prompt to find your computer’s name by following these steps:

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type “Command Prompt“.
2. Right-click on the “Command Prompt” application that appears in the search results.
3. Select “Run as administrator” to open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges.
4. In the Command Prompt window, type “hostname” and press Enter.
5. The computer name of your Windows PC will be displayed on the next line.

Make a note of the computer name for future reference. You can now close the Command Prompt window.

Using the Command Prompt to find your computer’s name is a quick and efficient method, especially for users who are comfortable working with the command-line interface. It provides a direct way to retrieve the computer name without navigating through multiple settings.

Now that you know how to find the computer name using Command Prompt, let’s move on to the next method, which involves using PowerShell.

Method 3: Using PowerShell

PowerShell is a command-line shell and scripting language developed by Microsoft for automating administrative tasks and managing system configurations. You can also utilize PowerShell to find your computer’s name by following these steps:

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type “PowerShell“.
2. Right-click on the “Windows PowerShell” application that appears in the search results.
3. Select “Run as administrator” to open PowerShell with administrative privileges.
4. In the PowerShell window, type “hostname” and press Enter.
5. The computer name of your Windows PC will be displayed on the next line.

Note down the computer name to refer to it later. You can close the PowerShell window when you’re done.

Using PowerShell to find your computer’s name is a flexible and powerful method, particularly for advanced users who are familiar with command-line interfaces and scripting. PowerShell offers extensive capabilities for managing and querying system information.

Now that you know how to find the computer name using PowerShell, let’s move on to the next method, which involves using System Information.

Method 4: Using System Information

System Information is a built-in Windows application that provides detailed information about your computer’s hardware, software, and system components. You can utilize System Information to find your computer’s name by following these steps:

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type “System Information“.
2. Click on the “System Information” application that appears in the search results.
3. In the System Information window, navigate to the “System Summary” section.
4. Look for the “System Name” field, which will display the computer name.

Take note of the computer name for future reference. You can close the System Information window when you’re finished.

Using System Information to find your computer’s name is a handy method, especially for users who prefer a user-friendly interface and detailed system information.

Now that you know how to find the computer name using System Information, let’s move on to the next method, which involves using File Explorer.

Method 5: Using File Explorer

File Explorer, also known as Windows Explorer, is the default file management application in Windows. While its primary function is to navigate and manage files and folders, you can also use File Explorer to find your computer’s name by following these steps:

1. Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard, or by clicking on the File Explorer icon on the taskbar.
2. In the left-hand navigation pane, right-click on This PC or My Computer.
3. Select Properties from the context menu.
4. The computer name will be displayed under the “Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings” section.

Make a note of the computer name for future reference. You can close the File Explorer window when you’re done.

Using File Explorer to find your computer’s name is a convenient method, particularly for users who are comfortable navigating through file directories. It provides an alternative approach to accessing system information without directly accessing Windows settings.

Now that you know how to find the computer name using File Explorer, let’s move on to the next method, which involves using Windows Settings.

Method 6: Using Windows Settings

Windows Settings is a centralized location in Windows 10 that provides access to various system settings and configurations. You can use Windows Settings to find your computer’s name by following these steps:

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard and click on the “Settings” icon (gear icon) in the Start menu.
2. In the Windows Settings window, click on “System“.
3. In the left-hand sidebar, click on “About“.
4. Scroll down to the “Device specifications” section.
5. The computer name will be displayed next to the “Device name” label.

Take note of the computer name for future reference. You can close the Windows Settings window when you’re finished.

Using Windows Settings to find your computer’s name is a user-friendly method, specifically for Windows 10 users who prefer a streamlined interface for accessing system information and configurations.

Now that you know how to find the computer name using Windows Settings, let’s move on to the next method, which involves using Task Manager.

Method 7: Using Task Manager

Task Manager is a utility in Windows that provides information about running applications, processes, and system performance. While its primary purpose is to manage and monitor tasks, you can also use Task Manager to find your computer’s name by following these steps:

1. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys simultaneously on your keyboard to open Task Manager. Alternatively, you can right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager” from the context menu.
2. In the Task Manager window, click on the “Performance” tab.
3. Under the “Network” section, you will find the computer name listed as “Local Address“.
4. The computer name will be displayed next to the IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.100).

Make a note of the computer name for future reference. You can close the Task Manager window when you’re done.

Using Task Manager to find your computer’s name is a practical method, especially for users who frequently access Task Manager for monitoring system performance or managing running applications.

Now that you know how to find the computer name using Task Manager, let’s move on to the next method, which involves using Registry Editor.

Method 8: Using Registry Editor

Registry Editor is a powerful tool in Windows that allows you to view and modify the Windows registry, which contains settings and configurations for various system components. You can use Registry Editor to find your computer’s name by following these steps:

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type “Registry Editor“.
2. Click on the “Registry Editor” application that appears in the search results.
3. In the Registry Editor window, navigate to the following key:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ComputerName\ActiveComputerName
4. In the right-hand pane, you will see the “ComputerName” value.
5. The computer name will be displayed next to the “Data” field.

Take note of the computer name for future reference. You can close the Registry Editor window when you’re finished.

Using Registry Editor to find your computer’s name should be undertaken with caution, as modifying the Windows registry can have unintended consequences. Ensure that you only observe the computer name without making any changes.

Now that you know how to find the computer name using Registry Editor, let’s move on to the next method, which involves using Computer Management.

Method 9: Using Computer Management

Computer Management is a Microsoft Windows administrative tool that allows you to manage system components and configurations. You can use Computer Management to find your computer’s name by following these steps:

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type “Computer Management“.
2. Click on the “Computer Management” application that appears in the search results.
3. In the Computer Management window, click on “System Tools” in the left-hand navigation pane.
4. Choose “Computer Management” then “System Information“.
5. In the right-hand pane, expand “System Summary“.
6. Locate the “Computer Name” field, which will display the computer name.

Take note of the computer name for future reference. You can close the Computer Management window when you’re done.

Using Computer Management to find your computer’s name is a comprehensive method suitable for advanced users who want to access various system tools and information in one consolidated application.

Now that you know how to find the computer name using Computer Management, let’s move on to the final method, which involves using Device Properties.

Method 10: Using Device Properties

Device Properties is a Windows feature that provides detailed information about hardware devices connected to your computer. You can use Device Properties to find your computer’s name by following these steps:

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type “Device Manager“.
2. Click on the “Device Manager” application that appears in the search results.
3. In the Device Manager window, look for the category “Computer” or “System devices“.
4. Expand the category by clicking on the “+” icon next to it.
5. Double-click on the entry labeled “ACPI x64-based PC” or similar.
6. In the Device Properties window, navigate to the “Details” tab.
7. In the “Property” dropdown menu, select “Device instance path“.
8. The computer name will be displayed in the “Value” field.

Make a note of the computer name for future reference. You can close the Device Manager window when you’re finished.

Using Device Properties to find your computer’s name is a method that provides access to specific hardware-related information. It is particularly useful when you need to identify the computer name in relation to its hardware devices.

Congratulations! You now have a wide range of methods to find your computer’s name in Windows. Choose the method that best suits your preference and comfort level.