Changing a computer name in Windows 7

[Boomyal]

In setting up a new laptop, I inadvertently typed in a wrong name on the first time setup. I went back in to the System thingy where it purports to allow you to change the name. When I do so and click OK, it gives me a message that the name contains characters which are not allowed (then proceeds to show examples)

The changed name is all alpha characters and does not contain any other characters. In essence, it is not allowing me to change the name.

HELP I put the wrong name in and must change it.

 

[Don S]

Re: Changing a computer name in Windows 7

Click Here

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Changing a computer name in Windows 7

Don, I am doing exactly what is depicted in the first google link by 'howtogeek'. When I type in the new name and hit OK, that is where I am getting the message that the new name contains characters or symbols that are not allowed. The name I am trying to change it to is a conventional first and last name, ie, Joe Doaks-PC. The name that I originally typed is done similarly, ie, Jane Doe-PC.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Changing a computer name in Windows 7

Are you sure you are allowed spaces? Try it with dashes or underscores instead.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/change-your-computer-name

Computer names cannot consist entirely of numbers, nor can they contain spaces. The name also cannot contain special characters, such as the following:

< > ; : " * + = \ | ? ,

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Changing a computer name in Windows 7

Are you sure you are allowed spaces? Try it with dashes or underscores instead.

Change your computer name

Well bruce, the space was probably the issue although I thought I had typed the new name in the same configuration as the original one. That being said, I retyped 'User' and it accepted it. However it did not change the name on the Personal Files Folder. I looked every where I could think to change that and finally gave up. In the meantime, for some unknown reason, Firefox which I had just installed quit working and the search function in Internet explorer no longer worked.

Soooooo, I am now in the process of reloading the operating system, from the partition. I hope this erases all vestiges of the original computer name that I had used.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Changing a computer name in Windows 7

It took most of the late afternoon and early evening, but the OS reload did the trick.