Computer name?

Raident · 17 Aug 2015

I just noticed when checking my router that my Windows 10 computer is named something like DESKTOP-XXXXXX, where X is a bunch of random letters and numbers. Then I remembered that unlike with Windows 8.x, setup (in the clean install sense) never asked me to enter a name for the computer...

As I have several more PCs that I need to install Windows 10 on, I'm wondering if I missed something during installation. Or are these autoassigned names simply the new norm for Windows 10, and I'll just have to go into System to change it post-installation?

Brink · 17 Aug 2015

Hello Raident, :)

You didn't miss anything. There's not an option in Windows Setup to enter a computer name. It would need to be changed afterwards.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5...dows-10-a.html

Fafhrd · 17 Aug 2015

I wonder that this change of computer name from the default given on setup to a meaningful (to me) name, may be the reason for my insider status becoming unavailable with error 0x80310052, or failure of re-activation of a build that was apparently already activated on clean install.
https://account.microsoft.com/devices indicates that the computer name and MSA are part of the registration of the PC with the insider program.

Ztruker · 17 Aug 2015

My computer names were already set the way I wanted when I did the upgrades and I have not tried a Clean Install yet (don't see any reason too as everything is working as it should so far).

If what you stated is true that's a bad design, to base some registration of identification on something that can be changed by the user.

hiphopper · 17 Aug 2015

I do not believe the Windows Insider program is linked to computers. It is linked to your Microsoft account. If you sign in with the same account on each computer it should be on the Insider program.

However, there is a configuration you can change that will keep you from getting Insider updates from Windows Update. If you disable feedback in settings the system will not allow you to select Windows Insider updates. Go to Settings-Privacy-Feedback&diagnostics and see what your setting are there.

Ztruker · 17 Aug 2015

On a global Insider basis I agree, but not down at the individual computer level. Each one has a generated hash that is stored with the computer somewhere in Microsoft-land. If the computer name is changed, what impact does that have on that specific computer.

Fafhrd's conjecture is that this may have contributed to the failure to reactive on a clean install since he changed the computer name.

hiphopper · 17 Aug 2015

Ztruker said:

On a global Insider basis I agree, but not down at the individual computer level. Each one has a generated has that is stored with the computer somewhere in Microsoft-land. If the computer name is changed, what impact does that have on that specific computer.

Fafhrd's conjecture is that this may have contributed to the failure to reactive on a clean install since he changed the computer name.

Presumably all that needs to be done is login to the computer with the proper Insider login credentials and you can reset your Insider updates in Windows Update. I don't see a reason why changing the computer name would cause an error or failure.

To the Windows Insider program it ought to just look like a new computer.

Ztruker · 17 Aug 2015

hiphopper said:

To the Windows Insider program it ought to just look like a new computer.

Exactly! And a new computer must do an upgrade before it can do a Clean Install, thus the error.