> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Rename a Windows Server (Change the Computer Name)

> Rename a Windows Server with Rename-Computer -NewName WEB01 -Restart, SConfig option 2 or Server Manager. Use up to 15 letters, digits or hyphens.

To rename a Windows Server, open PowerShell as administrator and run `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.

| Difficulty | Time | Works on | Needs |
| - | - | - | - |
| Beginner | 5 minutes, including a restart | Windows Server 2019 / 2022 / 2025 | Administrator account, a short downtime |

## Before you start

* Sign in as an administrator with [Remote Desktop](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-connect-to-windows-server-with-remote-desktop.md).
* 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?

| Rule | Detail |
| - | - |
| Length | 15 characters at most. Windows doesn't permit longer computer names ([Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/active-directory/naming-conventions-for-computer-domain-site-ou)). |
| Characters | Letters `a-z` / `A-Z`, numbers `0-9` and hyphens `-`. No spaces or periods ([Rename-Computer](https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.management/rename-computer)). |
| Not allowed | A name made only of digits, and `\ / : * ? " < > \| ,` |

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**

```powershell theme={null}
hostname
```

A new server often has a random name like `WIN-3F7K2ABCD1E`.

**3. Rename and restart**

```powershell theme={null}
Rename-Computer -NewName "WEB01" -Restart
```

Windows restarts straight away and your Remote Desktop session closes. To restart later instead, leave out `-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](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/server-core/server-core-sconfig)).

## 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:

```powershell theme={null}
hostname
```

It shows `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](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-rename-your-vps-and-set-a-hostname.md). 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](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-configure-reverse-dns.md) and an `A` record at your DNS provider.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I rename the server without restarting?

You can run `Rename-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 as `WEB01` 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

> [card] [VPS and dedicated server guides](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/vps-and-dedicated-server-guides.md)
>
> Every guide in this section.

> [card] [First steps on a new Windows server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/first-steps-on-a-new-windows-server-vps.md)
>
> Name, time zone, updates and more.

> [card] [Time zone and language](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-change-the-time-zone-and-language-on-windows-server.md)
>
> Set your region.

> [card] [Configure reverse DNS](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-configure-reverse-dns.md)
>
> Give your IP a name.

> [card] [Rename your VPS in the panel](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-rename-your-vps-and-set-a-hostname.md)
>
> The panel label and hostname.

***

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Checked against Microsoft Learn: [Rename-Computer](https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.management/rename-computer), [SConfig](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/server-core/server-core-sconfig), [Server Manager Local Server](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/server-manager/manage-the-local-server-and-the-server-manager-console) and [computer naming conventions](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/active-directory/naming-conventions-for-computer-domain-site-ou)** on 4 November 2026. Not tested on a live Windows server for this page.

> [!NOTE]
>
> ### Need Extra Help?
>
> If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:
>
> * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
> * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
> * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
> * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)

> [!TIP]
>
> ### Save on Your Hosting
>
> Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order!

***

**Last Updated:** November 2026


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.