---
title: "Change the hostname of a Windows server"
slug: "change-the-hostname-on-a-windows-server"
updated: 2026-07-22T23:54:37Z
published: 2026-07-22T23:54:37Z
canonical: "docs.serversaustralia.com.au/change-the-hostname-on-a-windows-server"
---

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

# Change the hostname of a Windows server

> [!WARNING]
> Requirements:
> 
> - Hostnames in Windows can contain all alphabetic characters (A-Z), numeric characters (0-9), a hyphen (-), and the period (.). Period characters are allowed only when used to delimit the components of domain style names.
> - It cannot consist of only numbers.
> - It must not begin or end with a hyphen or period.
> - If the server is a member of an Active Directory Domain, it cannot have a name that only contains numerals, this is a DNS restriction.
> - The Hostname must be 63 characters or fewer. If NetBIOS compatibility is necessary, 1-15 characters. It also cannot be any of the reserved words listed here: [https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/active-directory/naming-conventions-for-computer-domain-site-ou#table-of-reserved-words](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/active-directory/naming-conventions-for-computer-domain-site-ou#table-of-reserved-words)

> [!NOTE]
> Recommendations:
> 
> - Use a hostname unique to the server and easily remembered, if possible, it should fit the purpose of the server.
> - Use ASCII (7) characters, whilst unicode characters are technically supported, joining to a domain will require ASCII, and a lot of applications/switches do not support anything beyond ASCII (7) for this purpose.

## Changing the Hostname in Windows:

1. Search for and open "Server Manager". It will often be open when you log in.![](https://cdn.document360.io/d809f158-d4f4-47ff-83d4-18d9c9f7a04d/Images/Documentation/image-QKUJP0SX.png)
2. Under **Local Server**, click on the highlighted ‘computer name’, in this case, it would be **example**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/d809f158-d4f4-47ff-83d4-18d9c9f7a04d/Images/Documentation/image-R4I46GMJ.png)
3. Select **change**. If the Server is a Domain controller, you will get a warning.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/d809f158-d4f4-47ff-83d4-18d9c9f7a04d/Images/Documentation/image-7ECA8TRC.png)
4. Rename the computer as you’d like, then press ok, it will inform you that you must restart your computer to apply these changes.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/d809f158-d4f4-47ff-83d4-18d9c9f7a04d/Images/Documentation/image-8YK29OED.png)
5. The new name should show under **Server Manager** —> **Local Server** after a restart.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/d809f158-d4f4-47ff-83d4-18d9c9f7a04d/Images/Documentation/image-QC3QITLU.png)

Congratulations! You have changed the Hostname on Windows!