Hardware (How To) Find the Computer Name on a University Owned PC

Use these steps to find your "Full computer name." The computer name uniquely identifies your computer.

 Method 1: Find the Computer Name at the Logon Screen

 Method 2: Find the Computer Name after logging in

 Alternative Method: Find the Service Tag or Computer Name Sticker


Method 1: Find the Computer Name at the Logon Screen :

  1. In the User Name box, type a period followed by a backslash:
    • Note: You might need to click the Switch User button if someone has already signed in.
  2. The Computer Name appears below the password box, next to the words Sign in to:

Photo of the Windows logon screen with "Other user" above the username and password prompts. The username input box has a period and a backlash in it to indicate logging in to the local machine. The name of the computer is revealed as that local context.


Method 2: Finding the Computer Name after Logging In

  1. Sign in to the computer.
  2. Open the Settings menu by pressing the Windows + i keys simultaneously.
  3. At the top of the Settings window, just under the heading System, you will find the computer name, followed by the model name and number.

Windows Settings with the computer and model names highlighted.

In the example screenshot above, the computer name is "UWM010145".


Alternate Methods: Find the asset labels on your Computer

Asset Tags

Many UWM computers have an asset tag that shows the Computer Name.

Check your computer for a label like the one pictured above.

Service Tags

Every computer has a unique serial number, also called a Service Tag by Dell. IT support staff can use the Service Tag to look up a PC's name.

You can look for the service tag in the following locations:

Desktops: On a label on top of the computer

Laptops: Printed on the underside of the laptop, usually with a small bar code or QR code.



Keywords:
windows computer name, computer name, name, full computer name, fqdn, machine name, host name, hostname, service tag, serial number, asset tag, find name, finding computer name, finding name, device name 
Doc ID:
47217
Owned by:
Desktop Support L. in UW-Milwaukee Help Desk
Created:
2015-02-16
Updated:
2026-01-27
Sites:
UW-Milwaukee Help Desk