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How to find a computer's name

This document contains instructions on how to find the name of a computer on Windows and Linux

Windows

From the login screen

  1. Type .\ (a period and backslash) into the username field
  2. The computer name will be displayed under the password field, next to where it says Sign in to:

login screen

From the desktop

  1. On Windows 10 computers, search for about in the start menu and open the About your PC settings app. Your computer name will be listed as Device name.

type-about about window

From the command line

  1. Type cmd /k hostname into the start menu and hit Enter. Your computer name will be displayed in the first line of a command prompt window.
  2. Alternatively, you can open any command prompt and enter hostname. This works on Linux as well.

type cmd k hostname cmd windows

    Linux

    1. Open a terminal window and enter hostname. The computer name will be returned.

    terminal window

    Short URL for this page: https://go.illinois.edu/computername


    Keywords:
    how to find computer name windows pc computer linux the 
    Doc ID:
    95817
    Owned by:
    Jonathan K. in Engineering IT
    Shared Services
    Created:
    2019-11-14
    Updated:
    2025-04-25
    Sites:
    University of Illinois Engineering IT
    Clean URL:
    https://answers.uillinois.edu/illinois.engineering/how-to-find-the-computer-name