HT201541: Update the software on your Mac

Learn about Update the software on your Mac
ady palti

Q: How can  I change  the computer name ?

How can I change the computer name ??

MacBook Pro with Retina display, iOS 6.0.1

Posted on Nov 24, 2012 8:59 PM

Close

Q: How can  I change  the computer name ?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Nov 24, 2012 9:02 PM in response to ady palti
    Level 9 (50,051 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 24, 2012 9:02 PM in response to ady palti

    Your Mac's name is found in System Preferences > Sharing.

  • by jwhart,

    jwhart jwhart Dec 15, 2012 1:01 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 15, 2012 1:01 PM in response to John Galt

    I'm confused!  When I look in the System Preferences > Sharing it shows "Jack" however, ALL of my "stuff" (apps, desktop, documents, music, etc. shows up under a folder named Windows7 with a white house icon?  How can I change that name from Windows 7?

  • by Barney-15E,

    Barney-15E Barney-15E Dec 15, 2012 2:30 PM in response to jwhart
    Level 9 (50,593 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 15, 2012 2:30 PM in response to jwhart

    jwhart wrote:

     

    I'm confused!  When I look in the System Preferences > Sharing it shows "Jack" however, ALL of my "stuff" (apps, desktop, documents, music, etc. shows up under a folder named Windows7 with a white house icon?  How can I change that name from Windows 7?

     

    That's not your computer name. That is the user account name.

    The best way to change the name is to not change the name and create a new user account in Users & Groups System Preferences. See here: http://support.apple.com/kb/PH10932

     

    You can right-click on a user in Users & Groups and choose Advanced Options…

    From there, you can change the user name and location of the home folder. I would do this from another Admin Account. You also may want to change the name of the home folder (white house icon). Again do that from another account. In the Advanced options, there is a place to set the home folder. You'll have to change that if you rename the home folder.

     

    There is likely a reason Apple recommends creating a new user over this hidden method.

  • by Shootist007,

    Shootist007 Shootist007 Dec 15, 2012 2:33 PM in response to jwhart
    Level 6 (16,660 points)
    Dec 15, 2012 2:33 PM in response to jwhart

    Ok what I'll like to know is who named your user account? Windows 7????

     

    Your on a Mac. At least they could of named it OS X (10).

  • by jwhart,

    jwhart jwhart Dec 15, 2012 4:19 PM in response to Shootist007
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 15, 2012 4:19 PM in response to Shootist007

    I just became a Mac user 3 weeks ago.  I've been a PC user since the beginning.  I migrated over from a PC that had the name Windows 7 so the migration process gave it that name without any input from me.  Also, when I go to "Users & Groups," "Windows 7" does NOT appear, my name does.

  • by Barney-15E,

    Barney-15E Barney-15E Dec 15, 2012 4:30 PM in response to jwhart
    Level 9 (50,593 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 15, 2012 4:30 PM in response to jwhart

    There are two names to an account. The full name and the shortname. The shortname drives the home folder name and is the true user name for the system.

     

    If you right-click on your user acount name and select Advanced Options, is Windows 7 listed as the Account name?

     

    If the padlock is locked at the bottom of the system prefs window, you'll have to click it to authenticate before you can do the above actions.

  • by jwhart,

    jwhart jwhart Dec 15, 2012 4:56 PM in response to Barney-15E
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 15, 2012 4:56 PM in response to Barney-15E

    Yes, Windows 7 is listed.

  • by Barney-15E,

    Barney-15E Barney-15E Dec 15, 2012 7:56 PM in response to jwhart
    Level 9 (50,593 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 15, 2012 7:56 PM in response to jwhart

    That is what needs to be changed as I posted above.

  • by Thomas441,

    Thomas441 Thomas441 Dec 15, 2012 8:21 PM in response to jwhart
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 15, 2012 8:21 PM in response to jwhart

    Another method of changing a home folder name is:

     

    OS X: How to change user account name or home directory name

     

    This involves enabling the root user and this article should be used with caution. Follow the steps exactly and be sure to backup your information via Time Machine first.