Introduction
In a Windows Server 2012 environment, assigning a meaningful and descriptive computer name is crucial for identification and management purposes. Whether you’re setting up a new server or need to modify an existing one, changing the computer name is a straightforward process. In this tutorial, we’ll walk through the step-by-step procedure to change the computer name in Windows Server 2012. In this article, I will show you how to change computer name using Windows Server 2012 Server Manager or Charm Bar.
To change the computer name using Server Manager
1. From the Start Screen, click on Server Manager
2. Server Manager will open, click on Local Server
3. Click on the the current computer name
4. System Properties will open. Click on Change
5. Type the new computer name and click on OK
6. A dialog box will pop up informing you to restart your machine so that changes take effect. Click OK and then Click on Close.
7. Click Restart Now
8. After the machine reboot, logon again and check the computer name inside Local Server
Another method to change the computer name is using the charm bar to open Server info.
1. Using your keyboard, click on both keys together : Window+i , then Click on Server info
2. The System window will open. Under the Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings section, click on the Change settings option
3. System Properties will open. Click on Change
4. Type the new computer name and click on OK
5. A dialog box will pop up informing you to restart your machine so that changes take effect. Click OK and then Click on Close
6. Click Restart Now
After the server restarts, log in and go back to the Local Server tab in Server Manager. Confirm that the new computer name is displayed under the Computer name section.
Conclusion:
Changing the computer name in Windows Server 2012 is a straightforward process that can be completed through the Server Manager interface. Ensuring your server has a meaningful and easily identifiable name is essential for efficient management and organization within your network.
Tarek Majdalani is an accomplished Windows Expert-IT Pro MVP, honored by Microsoft for eight consecutive years from 2007-2015. Holding a B.E. in Computer Engineering from the Lebanese American University, he pursued further education while working, earning various certificates showcased in his MVP profile. Tarek is currently serving as the Director of Engineering & Technology at Alrai Media Group in Kuwait. Since 2006, he has been actively contributing to the community by writing tutorials featuring tips and tricks, amassing over 300 tutorials on diverse systems.
Changing the hostname on a Windows Server 2012 is a straightforward process that allows you to customize the identity of your server. Whether you want to match it with your company’s naming convention or simply give it a more meaningful name, changing the hostname can be done in just a few steps. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of changing the hostname on a Windows Server 2012.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard to open the Power User Menu.
Step 2: From the context menu, select «System.«
Step 3: In the System window, click on «Change settings» next to the computer name.
Step 4: In the System Properties window, click on the «Change» button.
Step 5: In the Computer Name/Domain Changes dialog box, enter the new hostname in the «Computer name» field.
Step 6: Click on the «OK» button and click «OK» again on the warning prompt.
Step 7: Finally, restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Gives the server a more meaningful and customized identity. | 1. May require a restart to apply the changes. |
| 2. Helps to follow company’s naming convention or organization standards. | 2. Changing the hostname may temporarily disrupt network connections. |
| 3. Makes it easier to identify and manage multiple servers in a network. | 3. Some applications or services may need to be reconfigured after the hostname change. |
Changing the hostname on a Windows Server 2012 can be beneficial in terms of customization and organization. However, it’s important to consider the potential disruptions and configuration adjustments that may be necessary after the change. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily change the hostname on your Windows Server and tailor it to your specific needs.
Video Tutorial:How do I change my administrator name?
Where is host file in Windows Server 2012?
The Hosts file in Windows Server 2012 can be found in the following location:
1. Open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon in the taskbar or by pressing the Windows key and the letter «E» together.
2. Navigate to the root directory of the system drive, typically «C:\«.
3. From the root directory, go to «Windows» folder.
4. Inside the «Windows» folder, locate and open the «System32» folder.
5. Within the «System32» folder, you will find a folder called «drivers«. Open this folder.
6. Now, open the «etc» folder, which contains various system configuration files.
7. In the «etc» folder, you should see a file named «hosts«. This is the Hosts file you are looking for.
The complete path to the Hosts file in Windows Server 2012 is typically as follows:
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
Please note that modifying the Hosts file may require administrative privileges, so ensure you have the necessary permissions before making any changes.
To change the hostname of your device, you can follow these steps:
1. Access the settings: Open the settings menu on your device. This can usually be found by tapping on the gear icon.
2. Find the «About» section: In the settings menu, look for the «About» option. It is typically located towards the bottom of the list.
3. Locate the device name: Within the «About» section, you should find the current device name or hostname. It may be labeled as «Device Name» or «Hostname.«
4. Edit the name: Tap on the current device name or hostname to edit it. You may be prompted to enter your device password or use biometric authentication to proceed.
5. Enter the new hostname: Type in the new hostname that you desire for your device. Make sure to choose a unique and easily identifiable name.
6. Save the changes: Once you have entered the new hostname, save the changes by tapping on the «Save» or «Confirm» button. Your device will then use the new hostname.
It is worth noting that changing the hostname does not affect the functionality or performance of your device. However, it can have implications for network identification and communication in certain situations. If you are part of a network or need to access your device remotely, it is advisable to consult with the network administrator or refer to specific documentation for further guidance.
How do I find my hostname on Windows server?
To find your hostname on a Windows server, follow these steps:
1. Open the Command Prompt: Press the Windows key, type «cmd,» and press Enter. This will open the Command Prompt window.
2. In the Command Prompt, type «hostname» and press Enter. The hostname of your Windows server will be displayed on the next line.
That’s it! Following these steps will quickly provide you with the hostname of your Windows server.
How to find server hostname using CMD?
To find the server hostname using CMD (Command Prompt), follow these steps:
1. Open the Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key + R and typing «cmd» in the Run dialog box.
2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
`hostname`
This command will display the hostname of the computer/server you are currently using.
3. If you want to find the hostname of a specific server on your network, you can use the following command:
`ping [server IP]`
Replace [server IP] with the actual IP address of the server. The Command Prompt will display the server hostname in the results.
4. Another way to find the hostname is by using the `nslookup` command followed by the IP address of the server. For instance:
`nslookup [server IP]`
After executing this command, the Command Prompt will display the server’s hostname along with other DNS information.
Remember, these steps are for finding the server hostname using the Command Prompt on a Windows operating system. On different platforms, such as macOS or Linux, the process may vary slightly.
How do I edit hosts file in Windows 2012?
Editing the hosts file in Windows 2012 is a straightforward process that involves a few simple steps. By following these steps, you can easily edit the hosts file to manage local domain name resolution. Here’s a simplified guide to editing the hosts file on Windows Server 2012:
1. Launch a text editor with administrative privileges: To edit the hosts file, you need to open the text editor with administrative rights. Right-click on the text editor icon and select «Run as administrator» to ensure you have the necessary permissions.
2. Access the hosts file location: The hosts file is located in the «C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc» directory. Use the file explorer or run the text editor as an administrator and navigate to this location.
3. Open the hosts file: In the «etc» directory, locate the file named «hosts» and open it with the text editor you launched in step 1.
4. Edit the hosts file: Within the hosts file, you’ll find a list of IP addresses and corresponding domain names. Each entry is on a new line, with the IP address followed by one or more space-separated domain names. To edit the file, simply add or remove entries as required by your needs. Ensure that you follow the formatting guidelines provided within the file itself.
5. Save the changes: Once you are done editing the hosts file, save the changes and close the text editor.
6. Test the changes: It’s essential to test whether the changes made to the hosts file are taking effect as intended. Open a web browser and try accessing the domain names you added or modified. If the DNS resolution is successful, you should be able to reach the specified IP address assigned to the domain name within the hosts file.
Remember, when editing the hosts file, exercise caution, and double-check all changes you make. Incorrect modifications or misconfigurations might lead to issues with local domain name resolution.
How to change Windows user name?
Changing a Windows user name can be done through a few simple steps. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open the Control Panel: You can access the Control Panel by searching for it in the Windows search bar or by right-clicking the Start button and selecting «Control Panel.«
2. User Accounts: In the Control Panel, click on «User Accounts» or «User Accounts and Family Safety» depending on your Windows version.
3. Manage User Accounts: In the User Accounts section, you will find an option to «Manage User Accounts» or «Change your account name.» Click on this option.
4. User Account Properties: A new window will open, displaying a list of all user accounts on your computer. Select the account for which you want to change the name and click on the «Properties» or «Change account name» button.
5. Change User Name: In the User Account Properties window, you will find a field to change the user name. Replace the existing name with the new desired name and click on the «Apply» or «OK» button.
6. Restart your computer: To finalize the changes, you will need to restart your computer. Save any ongoing work and choose the «Restart» option.
Upon rebooting, your Windows user name should be changed to the new one you entered. It’s important to note that these steps may vary slightly depending on your version of Windows, but the general process remains the same.
Remember to back up your data and create a system restore point before making any changes to your user account or system settings.
Rename Windows Server 2012 R2 from GUI To rename computer, right click on Start button and then click on System. This would open System window. It would open System Properties window, click on Change to rename Server. Under Computer Name, type the new Computer name. Restart is required to apply the changes.
How do I change the name of my computer server?
Change Hostname using GUI Log in to the server via RDP. Navigate to the “This PC” screen and click “System properties”. Click “Change settings” next to the current computer name. Click the “Change” button. Enter a new computer name and confirm by clicking “OK”. Restart the server.
Where is the hostname in Windows Server 2012?
You’ll first click the Start Button and then Control Panel. In the Control Panel, look for the icon named “System” and double-click on that. Once in the “System” window click on the “Computer Name” tab and you’ll see your computer’s name right to the left of “Full Computer Name”.
How do I rename a Windows hostname?
How to change your computer’s name in Windows 10 Open Settings and go to System > About. In the About menu, you should see the name of your computer next to PC name and a button that says Rename PC. Type the new name for your computer. A window will pop up asking if you want to restart your computer now or later.
How do I change DNS name in Windows Server?
Click Start, point to Control Panel, and then click Add or Remove Programs. Click Add\Remove Windows Components. In the Components list, click Networking Services (do not click to select or click to clear the check box), and then click Details. Click to select the Domain Name System (DNS) check box, and then click OK.
How do I find my host name?
Using the command prompt From the Start menu, select All Programs or Programs, then Accessories, and then Command Prompt. In the window that opens, at the prompt, enter hostname . The result on the next line of the command prompt window will display the hostname of the machine without the domain.
How do I find the hostname of a Windows server?
Follow these instructions to find your computer’s Host Name and MAC address. Open the command prompt. Click on the Windows Start menu and search “cmd” or “Command Prompt” in the taskbar. Type in ipconfig /all and press Enter. This will display your network configuration. Find your machine’s Host Name and MAC Address.
How do I edit etc hosts in Windows?
Windows 10 and Windows 8 Press the Windows key. Type Notepad in the search field. In the search results, right-click Notepad and select Run as administrator. From Notepad, open the following file: c:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\hosts. Make the necessary changes to the file. Select File > Save to save your changes.
Can you change a computer name without removing from domain?
if the machine should stay in the moment there is no need to remove it and bring into workgroup. Rename it in the domain with an account that has the permission and you are done.
How can I change my user name?
Edit your name On your Android phone or tablet, open your device’s Settings app . Tap Google. Manage your Google Account. At the top, tap Personal info. Under “Basic info,” tap Name Edit. . You may be asked to sign in. Enter your name, then tap Done.
How do I change the full computer name in Windows 7?
Click the Start button, right click the mouse over Computer and select Properties. In Computer Name, Domain and Workgroup Settings, select Change Settings. Select the Computer Name tab in the System Properties dialog box. Next to ‘To rename this computer’, click Change.
What is NS record in DNS?
What is a DNS NS record? NS stands for ‘nameserver,’ and the nameserver record indicates which DNS server is authoritative for that domain (i.e. which server contains the actual DNS records). Basically, NS records tell the Internet where to go to find out a domain’s IP address.
Is changing DNS safe?
Switching from your current DNS server to another one is very safe and will never harm your computer or device. It might be because the DNS server isn’t offering you enough features that some of the best DNS public/private servers offer, such as privacy, parental controls, and high redundancy.
Can we change host name of domain controller?
How to rename a domain controller after you migrated it, keep the old hostname. If you have multiple domain controllers in your network you should introduce a new Domain Controller, demote the old domain controller and rename it and promote another new domain controller with the old hostname.
What is computer host name?
Host Name: The unique identifier that serves as name of your computer or server can be as long as 255 characters and consists of numbers and letters.
What is host name in computer?
In computer networking, a hostname (archaically nodename) is a label that is assigned to a device connected to a computer network and that is used to identify the device in various forms of electronic communication, such as the World Wide Web. In the latter form, a hostname is also called a domain name.
What is host name in laptop?
A hostname is a label assigned to a device (a host) on a network. The hostname for a computer on a home network may be something like new laptop, Guest-Desktop, or FamilyPC. Hostnames are also used by DNS servers, so you can access a website by a common, easy-to-remember name.
Is computer name and hostname the same?
Is a computer name and hostname the same? – Quora. A computer has one hostname, which is usually also one of the computer names. Computer names are used by the network or domain name system to refer to a particular network address, or an alias to associate a name with a function.
How do I find my Windows user name?
Method 1 While sitting at the host computer with LogMeIn installed, press and hold the Windows key and press the letter R on your keyboard. The Run dialog box is displayed. In the box, type cmd and press Enter. The command prompt window will appear. Type whoami and press Enter. Your current username will be displayed.
What is host name example?
On the Internet, a hostname is a domain name assigned to a host computer. For example, if Computer Hope had two computers on its network named “bart” and “homer,” the domain name “bart.computerhope.com” is connecting to the “bart” computer.
Changing the hostname on Windows Server versions 2012 R2, 2016, and 2019 is a straightforward process. Below is a tutorial on how to change the hostname for each of these versions.
Step 1: Log in as an Administrator
Log in to your Windows Server 2012 R2 with an administrator account. You need administrative privileges to change the hostname.
Step 2: Open System Properties
Press Win + X and select “System.” Alternatively, you can right-click on “Computer” in the Start menu and choose “Properties.”
Step 3: Change Settings
In the System Properties window, click on the “Change settings” link in the “Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings” section.
Step 4: Change the Computer Name
In the “Computer Name/Domain Changes” window, click the “Change” button.
Step 5: Enter a New Name
Enter the new hostname in the “Computer Name” field and click “OK.”
Step 6: Restart
You will be prompted to restart your computer to apply the changes. Click “OK” to restart your server.
Windows Server 2016 and 2019
The process for changing the hostname in Windows Server 2016 and 2019 is very similar to that of 2012 R2.
Step 1: Log in as an Administrator
Log in to your Windows Server 2016 or 2019 with an administrator account.
Step 2: Open System Properties
Press Win + X and select “System.” Alternatively, you can right-click on “Computer” in the Start menu and choose “Properties.”
Step 3: Change Settings
In the System Properties window, click on the “Change settings” link in the “Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings” section.
Step 4: Change the Computer Name
In the “Computer Name/Domain Changes” window, click the “Change” button.
Step 5: Enter a New Name
Enter the new hostname in the “Computer Name” field and click “OK.”
Step 6: Restart
You will be prompted to restart your computer to apply the changes. Click “OK” to restart your server.
In all three versions (2012 R2, 2016, and 2019), changing the hostname requires administrative access, and you will need to restart your server for the changes to take effect. Always ensure you have proper backups and inform relevant parties before making changes to the hostname on a production server.
Auto-deployed Windows servers most likely come with random hostnames configured by the deployment system. If you’d like to change it, then you’ll need to change it manually. Learn how to change Windows Hostname for Windows Server 2019, 2016, and 2012 with our comprehensive guide in this article.
Windows Server 2019
1. To start, log in to your Windows server 2019 and open Windows Settings.
2. Then on the Windows Settings page, click on System.
3. Then on the System page, navigate to the About tab on the left menu and click Rename this PC.
4. Then in the pop-up, enter the new PC name in the text field and then click Next.
5. To save the changes, click Restart now on the next screen. We have successfully changed the Hostname on Windows Server 2019.
Windows Server 2016
1. To start, log in to your Windows server 2016 and open Windows Settings.
2. Then on the Windows Settings page, click System.
3. Next, navigate to the About tab from the left menu and click Rename PC.
4. Then in the pop-up, enter the new PC name in the text field and then click Next.
5. To save the changes, click Restart now on the next screen. We have successfully changed the Hostname on Windows Server 2016.
Windows Server 2012 R2
1. To start, log in to your Windows server 2012 and open Windows Settings.
2. Then change the View by option to Small icons and then click System as seen below.
3. Next on the System page, click Change settings as seen in the image below.
4. Then on the System Properties window, click Change to configure the Hostname.
5. Enter the new hostname in the text field under Computer Name and click OK.
6. A pop-up will appear asking you to restart and then click OK.
7. Lastly, right-click the Windows button at the bottom left and hover over Shut down or sign out and click Restart to complete the changes. We have successfully changed the Hostname on Windows Server 2012.
