Microsoft – Change the Computer Name (Command Line)

Sometimes we could have the need to rename a Windows system not from the usual GUI, but using command line (cmd.exe). Actually, this can be achieved by using the wmic command to rename a windows computer from command line. To do this, see the command below:

WMIC computersystem where caption='currentname' rename newname

Example: take an exmple system which has the current computer name as SYSTEM-1, to change it to SYSTEM-2: we can rename it by using the following command.

wmic computersystem where caption='SYSTEM-1 rename SYSTEM-2

After running the command, you need to reboot the computer to make the changes effective.

This command works on XP, Vista, Windows 7 and also on Server 2003 and Server 2008 editions (and above).

Obviously, this command can also be integrated and used from a batch file (.bat) to rename computer.

From Windows Vista and Windows 7 systems, and above, this rename command can be run only from elevated administrator command prompt, for security reasons (especially in Active Directory environments). If you run it from a normal command prompt, you would get the following error:

C:\>wmic computersystem where caption='xp-pc' call rename windows7-pc
Executing (\\XP-PC\ROOT\CIMV2:Win32_ComputerSystem.Name="XP-PC")->rename()
Method execution successful.
Out Parameters:
instance of __PARAMETERS
{
        ReturnValue = 5;
};
C:\>

If you are trying to rename a computer joined to a domain, then the computer should be online (same network of the domain) when you run the command. Otherwise you would get event error number 1355 with the following output:

C:\>wmic computersystem where caption='xp-pc' rename windows7-pc
Executing (\\XP-PC\ROOT\CIMV2:Win32_ComputerSystem.Name="XP-PC")->rename()
Method execution successful.
Out Parameters:
instance of __PARAMETERS
{
        ReturnValue = 1355;
};

Error 1355 means that the specified domain can’t be contacted. On successful execution of the command, the return value (exit code) would be 0 (zero).

Changing Name Remotely

If you’re a domain administrator and want to change a computer on the same network to a new name, use the following format:

wmic /node:"CURRENT" computersystem call rename "NEW"

For example:

wmic /node:"JON-LAPTOP" computersystem call rename "LAPTOPPC"

The value following /node: indicates the name of the remote computer on the LAN. You need to have administrative privileges on the remote computer or the following error will ensue, indicating Access is denied:

If the user you are currently logged in with does not have administrative access to a networked computer, you can explicitly define credentials using the following format:

wmic /node:"CURRENT" /user:USERNAME /password:PASSWORD computersystem call rename "NEW"

For example:

wmic /node:"JON-LAPTOP" /user:ADMIN /password:PASSWORD123 computersystem call rename "LAPTOPPC"

A system reboot is necessary for the changes to take effect.