How to change your Computer Name (or Workgroup) in Windows XP

July 10th, 2006 by Ross McKillop | Print This Post Print This Post
Windows

If for whatever reason you need (or want) to change your computer name (or Workgroup), follow the instructions outlined below and you’ll be done in no time ..

  1. Close all applications and ensure that you are logged in with Administrator privileges
  2. Click Start then select the Control Panel

  3. Click Performance And Maintenance

  4. Click System

  5. Click on the Computer Name tab. Here the current Computer Name and Workgroup are displayed
  6. To change the Computer Name or the Workgroup, click Change

  7. Enter a name for your computer in the Computer Name field
  8. Enter a name for your Workgroup in the Workgroup field
  9. Click OK
  10. If you changed your Workgroup name, a window will welcome you to the new Workgroup
  11. Click OK
  12. When a window prompts you to restart the computer, click OK

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  1. 15 Responses to “How to change your Computer Name (or Workgroup) in Windows XP”

  2. By Kelly on Sep 17, 2006 | Reply

    I want to thank you for putting this kind of info out there. I’m just hoping to get better at finding what I need. Can’t seem to shake a remote hacker and I’d definitely like to send a jolt of something not-so-nice his direction.
    Sorry for the little fit there, but thanks again.
    K.D.S.

  3. By Ross on Sep 17, 2006 | Reply

    Kelly,

    Glad to hear it helped (or I hope it did) - if you’re trying to keep someone “out” of your PC, check to see your ISP offers free security software - in particular, a firewall. If your ISP doesn’t offer free security software, try looking on dslreports.com for suggestions on other free or trial firewalls.

    Hope this helps -

    Ross

  4. By William on Dec 12, 2006 | Reply

    If you have Windows XP, why do you use linux?
    Basically I dont see any advantages to using linux over windows xp, Im dual booting windows
    and ubuntu. Ubuntu is nice and all but I dont see anything that would make me prefer it
    over windows.The only thing i have been using ubuntu for is web browsing playing
    music/movies (cant play games) which I can do better/hassle free in windows.
    So what are the advantages of l using linux over xp?

  5. By Brokeneye on Feb 13, 2007 | Reply

    I just change my computer name and workgroup name, rebooted the machine, and now I am no longer able to logon. I’m using the same username and password as before and no luck. Any suggestions? I am not able to use my laptop at all now. PLEASE help!!!
    Thanks

  6. By Stanly on Jul 15, 2007 | Reply

    thank u 4 answring my question

  7. By switchskier on Sep 8, 2007 | Reply

    wow Willam someone should take your keyboard away for asking such a question.. why would you use linux if you have windows xp… dude you better work for MS..

  8. By mark lofokhai on Nov 15, 2007 | Reply

    please i have a system that i just re-installed the operating system on it. but right now the workgroup editing box is not highlited so i can change the workgroup name.

    any that can help?

  9. By jozz on Dec 5, 2007 | Reply

    hello,

    does naming my comp. “ABC-jozz” with several others with comp. name such as “ABC-ann”, “ABC-eryn”, ABC-etc….

    and being in a group of “ABC”

    will create any conflicts?

    I always get “duplicate name exist in the network” warning..

    I’ve changed mine several times but the warning kept appearing.

    any suggestions? how should i name a computer and naming a group properly?

  10. By vageesa on Mar 24, 2008 | Reply

    i unnable to change mycomputer name that option is disabled tell solution

  11. By Ajay on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply

    Changing the computer name and workgroup is disabled due to virus i think. But i dont want to format the system. is there any solution for this. Its urgent, pls help…….

  12. By Ross McKillop on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply

    @Ajay:

    Which version of Windows are you using? Are you certain that you have administrative privileges with the account you login to Windows with? I haven’t heard of a virus that stops you from changing the computer name and/or workgroup (which certainly doesn’t mean there isn’t one, but that seems like a fairly odd thing for a virus to do). Also, have you ran a virus check lately? There are some good free ones out there…

  13. By ajay on Apr 13, 2008 | Reply

    Yes me only the administrator n i have all the privileges. i ran the antivirus scan also, with Macfee ver 8.5. but still not yet resolved.wht to do……

  14. By Ross McKillop on Apr 13, 2008 | Reply

    @ajay:

    ok cool - next question: at what step does it ‘fail’? Do you get an error message, and if so, what is it?

  15. By Jordon on Apr 26, 2008 | Reply

    I want to know how to change that system name once we put during installation.

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