Rename-Computer -NewName "WEB01" -Restart. The new name applies after the restart. You can also use SConfig option 2 (Computer name) or Server Manager > Local Server > Computer name > Change. Keep the name to 15 characters or fewer, using only letters, numbers and hyphens, and don’t use only numbers.
Before you start
- Sign in as an administrator with Remote Desktop.
- Renaming needs a restart. Stop game servers or warn website visitors first.
- Some software stores the computer name, for example a local SQL Server instance or licensing tied to the name. Check your software’s documentation before renaming a server that is already in use.
What makes a valid Windows computer name?
Good examples:
WEB01, GAME-EU-01, SQL-PROD.
How to rename the server with PowerShell
1
Open PowerShell as administrator
Select Start, type
PowerShell, right-click Windows PowerShell and choose Run as administrator. On Server Core, choose 15 in SConfig.2
Check the current name
WIN-3F7K2ABCD1E.3
Rename and restart
-Restart and run Restart-Computer when you’re ready.How to rename the server with SConfig
1
Open SConfig
On Server Core with Windows Server 2022 or 2025, SConfig opens after sign-in. Elsewhere, type
SConfig in an admin PowerShell window.2
Choose Computer name
Type
2 and press Enter.3
Enter the new name
Type
WEB01 and press Enter.4
Restart
When asked to restart, type
Y and press Enter (Microsoft Learn).How to rename the server in Server Manager
1
Open System Properties
In Server Manager, select Local Server and click the name next to Computer name. System Properties opens.
2
Select Change
On the Computer Name tab, select Change.
3
Enter the name
Type the new name in Computer name, leave Workgroup as it is, and select OK.
4
Restart
Select OK on the message about restarting, Close, then Restart Now.
How to check it worked
After the restart, connect with Remote Desktop again (the IP address doesn’t change) and run:WEB01. Server Manager > Local Server shows the new Computer name too.
Does renaming change the VPS name in the panel or my DNS?
No. Renaming Windows only changes the computer name inside the server. The Server Name label in the VPS Panel, your DNS records and your reverse DNS are set elsewhere:- To change the panel label, see rename your VPS and set a hostname. A Hostname changed in the panel is only applied when the server is rebuilt, so on a running server rename Windows as shown above.
- To make your IP address resolve to a name like
web01.example.com, set reverse DNS and anArecord at your DNS provider.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rename the server without restarting?
You can runRename-Computer without -Restart, but the new name only takes effect after the next restart.
Why can’t I use a longer name like web01.example.com?
The Windows computer name is limited to 15 characters and can’t contain periods. Use a short computer name such asWEB01 and set web01.example.com in DNS and reverse DNS instead.
Will renaming break Remote Desktop?
No. You connect by IP address, which stays the same. If you saved the connection under the old name in your RDP client, update the label.Do I need to rename the server at all?
It isn’t required, but a clear name makes it easier to tell servers apart in Remote Desktop, logs and monitoring.Related guides
VPS and dedicated server guides
Every guide in this section.
First steps on a new Windows server
Name, time zone, updates and more.
Time zone and language
Set your region.
Configure reverse DNS
Give your IP a name.
Rename your VPS in the panel
The panel label and hostname.
Checked against Microsoft Learn: Rename-Computer, SConfig, Server Manager Local Server and computer naming conventions on 4 November 2026. Not tested on a live Windows server for this page.
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Last Updated: November 2026