Renaming PC creates extra ID

I've searched Tutorials and Tips&Tricks but cannot find this topic. (Maybe you can!)

Problem with renaming Dell XPS-9560.

I renamed from the generic name assigned by Windows to the name of the model, and then could not log back in due to "wrong password" (despite having set it not to require a password). Contacted Support, and 3 operatives later it was fixed. I found that two different accounts had been created.

However, after doing a factory reset a new generic name had been assigned and when I renamed it I was back to the 2 log-ins.

How can I change the name of my laptop from old to new, without creating another a/c?

So frustrating! Grateful for any help.

It sounds like you are trying to change a user account instead of the computer account, I think. You can't have two different computer accounts at the same time, so that's why I am making the previous statement.

Right-click the Start Menu icon, and choose System. You'll see a button for Rename This PC. Assuming this computer isn't on a corporate domain, you shouldn't have any issues doing so.

alphanumeric said:

I do the "Rename this Computer" all the time with no issues.

I've done it for years with no issues, too :-/ The screenshots refer to the laptop I'm now working on, the problem laptop is a Clevo W230SS (not the Dell as I mistakenly posted), that one was renamed OK) that I just use for screen-capturing video and I use the same method to rename it.

Hmm, I attached pics via URL, it didn't work, here they are uploaded.

No they're not Can't get the Upload button to respond.

I go to Advanced System Settings > System Properties > Computer Name and change it there.

alphanumeric said:

I do believe he went to Control Panel > view by large icons > System > Advanced system settings > Computer Name Tab > Change. That's where I do it. I go there anyway to change my Workgroup name at the same time.

It was this bit I picked up on - renaming was not the problem it was the subsequent sign on.

clemenzina said:

I renamed from the generic name assigned by Windows to the name of the model, and then could not log back in due to "wrong password" (despite having set it not to require a password).

alphanumeric said:

I do believe he went to Control Panel > view by SMALL icons > System > Advanced system settings > Computer Name Tab > Change.

That's what I did and have always done.

lx07 - I use netplwiz to turn off "password required".

After changing the user name and rebooting, I get two user names in the bottom left corner of the screen, both the same name (mine) but requiring different passwords, so I have to ensure I click on the one that accepts the password I know, which is my Microsoft a/c or a PIN.

The situation now is that the laptop has the generic DESKTOP-****** name issued by Windows and I don't have to log in on boot-up, but it gets up my nose. For one thing, I don't have any desktops, plus all the folders that it saves to across the network have its 3-year-old name W230SS, and that's what I want the laptop to be called.

The tutorial you've linked for me (thank you) I'm confused by, maybe it's covering too many scenarios. I need to find some time to concentrate and follow my particular path. Another problem is that I'm not in that "world" at the mo, but very much in a ton of video editing problems

It says:

4. To Turn Off Automatic Sign in for All Users
This is the default setting.
A) Check the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer box, and click/tap on OK.

That seems illogical, so I'm nervous of doing anything now.

However, I'm sure I've been thru the "turn off password required" in both computer names but that hasn't worked.

I was hoping for a (1) Do this, and (2) Do that, and (3) Bingo! solution

Brink said:

Hello Patricia, :)

Since you renamed the computer, you'll need to update netplwiz to set it up again. The change in computer name causes the current sign-in credentials originally used in netplwiz to no longer work.

Sign in User Account Automatically at Windows 10 Startup Windows 10 Tutorials

That's the tutorial that lx07 pointed me to and which I am finding confusing, Brink:

[I had to delete this bit, as I obviously wasn't reading it right until I'd copied it in here!]

I shall revisit the topic when the recalcitrant laptop has a significant free period