How to change the server name on Windows Server

A properly named server is easier to manage. Here's how I rename Windows Server 2025 before deploying roles and services.

Avatar for Mauro Huc
Server Decode Logo
Windows Server 2025 change name
  • Rename a Windows Server 2025 computer using Settings, Server Manager, or the Rename-Computer PowerShell cmdlet.
  • Restart the server to apply the new computer name.
  • Follow a consistent naming convention to simplify server administration.
  • Rename servers before deploying roles or services to avoid updating scripts and management tools later.

Changing the server name is one of the first tasks I complete after installing Windows Server 2025. A descriptive name makes it easier to identify the machine in Server Manager, Active Directory, Windows Admin Center, remote management tools, and in the network. Whether you’re configuring a physical server or a virtual machine, Windows Server lets you rename the computer in several ways.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to change the server name on Windows Server 2025 using Settings, Server Manager, and PowerShell. Although the Settings methods apply only to Windows Server 2025 and 2022, the Server Manager and PowerShell methods can work in older versions of the operating system.

Change the server name from Settings

To change the server name on Windows Server 2025 from Settings, follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings on Windows Server 2025.

  2. Click on System.

  3. Click the About page.

  4. Click the “Rename this PC” option under the “Device specifications” section.

  5. Confirm the new server name.

    Windows Server Settings change name

  6. Click the Next button.

  7. Click the Restart now button to apply the changes.

Once the server restarts, Windows Server will use the new computer name.

Change the server name from Server Manager

To change the server name from Server Manager, follow these steps:

  1. Open Server Manager.

  2. Click on Local Server.

  3. Click the current Computer name.

  4. Click the Change button in the “System Properties” dialog.

  5. Confirm the new server name in the Computer name field.

    Server Manager change name

  6. Click the OK button.

  7. Restart the server when prompted.

After the restart, the new name will appear throughout Windows Server.

Change the server name with PowerShell

If you simply prefer the command line, PowerShell is the fastest option, and here’s how:

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and choose the Run as administrator option.

  3. (Option 1) Type this command and press Enter:

    Rename-Computer -NewName "SERVER01" -Restart
    Quick note: Replace SERVER01 with the name you want to assign to the server.

  4. (Option 2) Type this command if you don’t want to restart immediately and press Enter:

    Rename-Computer -NewName "SERVER01"

    PowerShell change server name

  5. Type this command to restart the server and press Enter:

    Restart-Computer

  6. Open PowerShell (admin) one more time.

  7. Type this command to confirm the new name and press Enter:

    $env:COMPUTERNAME

Once you complete the steps, the new name should be applied to the server.

Best practices for naming servers

When choosing a server name, I recommend following a consistent naming convention across your environment. It makes server management much easier as your infrastructure grows.

Some common recommendations include:

  • Use names that describe the server’s purpose, such as WEB01, FILE01, or DC01.
  • Keep names short but meaningful.
  • Avoid spaces and special characters.
  • Use a numbering scheme for servers that perform the same role.

What to know before renaming a server

While renaming a server is a simple process, there are a few things to keep in mind before you begin.

Windows Server 2025 requires a restart before the new name takes effect. If the server is joined to a domain, changing its name won’t remove it from Active Directory, but it’s a good idea to rename it while the server is connected to the network so the computer account can update properly.

Also, if you have apps, scripts, or scheduled tasks that reference the old server name, you’ll need to update them after the change. If you’re working with a domain controller, follow Microsoft’s recommended renaming procedure since additional replication steps may be required.

Server Decode’s Take

The process to change the server name on a Windows Server 2025 installation isn’t difficult, but it’s one of those tasks that’s easier to do before deploying workloads or assigning server roles. I usually rename the server immediately after installation, before joining it to the domain or configuring services. That way, I don’t have to revisit scripts, DNS records, or management tools later.

For most people, Server Manager is the easiest option, but if you’re deploying multiple servers, PowerShell’s Rename-Computer cmdlet is by far the fastest and most efficient approach.