Renamed PC name not showing in MS account devices

Hi

This is more frustrating than anything. I installed Windows 10, and after signing in with my Microsoft account I remembered to rename the PC from the DESKTOP-blah name to something more memorable. However, when I look at the devices in my Microsoft account settings (https://account.microsoft.com/devices) I still see the old name. I've removed the PC from the MS account devices, and switched to a local account on the PC then back to my MS account again, but it re-adds the PC with the old name each time.

Any ideas how I get my MS account to forget about the old name altogether?

Duncan

An update:

I reset Windows through Settings/Update & Security/Recovery, removing my user account, applications and settings completely and starting again with a local account. It came up with a new computer name, DESKTOP-blah2, so I renamed it and restarted before I signed in with my Microsoft account for the first time.

After verifying my account with the Authenticator app and waiting for a bit, lo and behold the computer re-appears in my devices list online - With the DESKTOP-blah2 name! How is that even possible given that it had that name for less than a minute, during which time I was only signed in with a local account!??

I think at this point I might give up as it seems I'm doomed to see my computer referred to by its silly default name forever

Unless anyone has any bright ideas?

Thanks for your reply.

As it happened, I had a backup in there for the same PC (with the same memorable name) from before I wiped Windows 8.1 and installed Windows 10. I've now removed it as it was no longer relevant anyway.

As an aside, OneDrive itself manages fine with the memorable name - it hasn't tried to use the DESKTOP-blah2 name at all.

Created an account to post here as well. Having the same issue after reinstalling Windows 10 (fourth time in a week last night) trying to see if I could refresh the PC name. No avail.

Spent 3 hours with Microsoft Support and got hung up on after countless, "We're transferring to so and so department."

This was just working two weeks ago doing the first clean install. After encountering some bugs with the built-in Windows apps, I tried again, and the PC name no longer syncs to my account. Still having issues after another reinstall and a 'Reset' suggested by a support tech. Very frustrating indeed!!!

wdogg590 said:

Created an account to post here as well. Having the same issue after reinstalling Windows 10 (fourth time in a week last night) trying to see if I could refresh the PC name. No avail.

Spent 3 hours with Microsoft Support and got hung up on after countless, "We're transferring to so and so department."

This was just working two weeks ago doing the first clean install. After encountering some bugs with the built-in Windows apps, I tried again, and the PC name no longer syncs to my account. Still having issues after another reinstall and a 'Reset' suggested by a support tech. Very frustrating indeed!!!

I know it's not great news for you, but it's encouraging to hear that I'm not the only one with this issue! I'm wondering if it might have something to do with the name of the PC when Windows first gets activated, as when I reset my PC I was never asked to activate again so it may have done so before I got the chance to rename it. Just speculating though. If you manage to get it sorted out I'd be grateful if you could post back here to let me know.

Thanks

Duncan

DuncanP said:

I know it's not great news for you, but it's encouraging to hear that I'm not the only one with this issue! I'm wondering if it might have something to do with the name of the PC when Windows first gets activated, as when I reset my PC I was never asked to activate again so it may have done so before I got the chance to rename it. Just speculating though. If you manage to get it sorted out I'd be grateful if you could post back here to let me know.

Hi Duncan, this thread was literally the only thing I saw on this 'issue'. Good to know what at least one of the many are having such an issue.

When I got up from my nap today, I went to my devices under my Microsoft account and, "what, the name updated?!"

It's possible my constant nagging got someone at MS to refresh my accounts, but I'm thinking because of all the PC's upgrading to Windows 10, their servers are just loaded. It took my PC a day and a half to show the updated name on my account after Resetting my PC from the Recovery page in Settings app. But yeah, I was also getting DESKTOP-xxxxxxx. It's just how Windows 10 does things now I suppose. And since the key is wired to the motherboard, it's not necessary for us to reinsert any keys.

Renaming our PC in the Settings app or System Properties is definitely the right way to do it, we're not crazy Duncan! It sucks but the only option in this case is to wait it out.

DuncanP said:

I know it's not great news for you, but it's encouraging to hear that I'm not the only one with this issue! I'm wondering if it might have something to do with the name of the PC when Windows first gets activated, as when I reset my PC I was never asked to activate again so it may have done so before I got the chance to rename it. Just speculating though. If you manage to get it sorted out I'd be grateful if you could post back here to let me know.

Thanks

Duncan

It took my name changes days to show up in My Account.

I had the same issue and it was resolved with the adice duncanp is giving, mine now works on the 2 new machines, but I cant join network from laptop which is windows 10 home now.

Another issue to solve. :)

1

DuncanP said:

An update:

I reset Windows through Settings/Update & Security/Recovery, removing my user account, applications and settings completely and starting again with a local account. It came up with a new computer name, DESKTOP-blah2, so I renamed it and restarted before I signed in with my Microsoft account for the first time.

After verifying my account with the Authenticator app and waiting for a bit, lo and behold the computer re-appears in my devices list online - With the DESKTOP-blah2 name! How is that even possible given that it had that name for less than a minute, during which time I was only signed in with a local account!??

I think at this point I might give up as it seems I'm doomed to see my computer referred to by its silly default name forever

Unless anyone has any bright ideas?

Hi

Another update. The name has now finally changed in the devices list! It's still showing as the old name in the Family page however, but fingers crossed that will eventually update as well.

Thanks for all the comments everyone.

Duncan