How to change network names on Windows 11
Windows 11 names networks automatically when they are discovered for the first time. Ethernet connections that connect using cables get generic network names, such as Network 4, which may be problematic for identification. Wireless networks get the SSID as the name by default; sometimes, you may want to change that name as well to improve identification or change a name that you may consider inappropriate.
Windows 11 includes options to change network names. Everything that is required to do that is available already, installation of software programs or applications is not required.
This guide provides you with the means to change network names on Windows 11 using different methods. Pick the one that you prefer or need to use, if you are in a corporate environment.
Tip: check out our network name changing guide for Windows 10 here.
Change the network name on Windows 11
The very first thing that you need to do is make sure you have the current name of the network adapter that you want to change.
Network names in Settings
One option that you have is to use the Settings application for that.
- Select Start > Settings.
- Open Network & Internet.
- Open Ethernet or Wi-fi depending on the network name that you want to change.
- The name is displayed at the top (see screenshot above).
Network names in Control Panel
Alternatively, you may also open the classic Control Panel and look up the information using it.
- Open Start.
- Type Control Panel and open the result.
- Go to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
- Windows 11 displays the active networks on the page that opens, including their names.
Changing the name of a network in Windows 11
Windows 11 administrators have several options when it comes to changing the name of a network:
- Edit the network name in the Registry.
- Edit network names using Local Security Policy.
Edit the network name in the Registry
The Registry option is not as straightforward as the PowerShell option. Still, it may be used in scripts and has its uses because of that.
- Open the Start Menu of the device.
- Type regedit.exe and select the "run as administrator" option to load the Windows 11 Registry Editor.
- Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Profiles
- Expand the profiles listing.
- You need to go through each now to find the profile with the correct name.
- Double-click on ProfileName when you have found the right profile and type the new name that you want to assign to it.
The change is active immediately, but only on the device. Repeat the process for other profiles that you want to change the name of.
Change profile names using Local Security Policy
Please note that Local Security Policy is only available in professional and Enterprise editions of Windows 11.
- Open the Start Menu.
- Type secpol.msc to open Local Security Policy on the device. You can check out our master list of Windows msc files here.
- Activate Network List Manager Policies.
- Double-click on the network that you want to change the name of.
- Type the new name under Name on the window that opens.
- Click ok.
Changing Connection names in Windows 11
Using PowerShell
You may run a single command to list the connection status of all network adapters.
- Select Start.
- Type PowerShell and run Windows PowerShell.
- Run the command netsh interface ipv4 show interfaces.
Windows 11 lists all connections, including the current names of the adapters.
Edit connection names in PowerShell
One of the best options that administrators have is to edit the name of a connection using PowerShell. Best, because it requires just a single command to do so.
Here is how it works:
- Open Start.
- Type PowerShell.
- Select Run as administrator next to Windows PowerShell to start an elevated PowerShell command line window.
The base command is Rename-NetAdapter -Name "Current name" -NewName "New Name that you specify". All you have to do is look up the name of the current adapter and replace "Current name with it, and specify a new name in "New Name that you specify. Here is an example: Rename-NetAdapter -Name "Private Network Home" -NewName "OLD Private Network Home"
Repeat the process for any other name that you want to change.
Now You: have you changed network profile names in the past?
There is not still W11 23H2 and these instructions are nonsense by now. :[
It worked for me just fine. You’re probably not following the instructions clearly.
Just tried the password option and the OOBE option and didnt work.
Worked perfectly. Thank OP.
Worked perfectly for me just now. Specifically, the regedit option.
Is this cut and paste from a Microsoft PR paper, because it 1000% BS:
“By listening to user insights, Microsoft has demonstrated its commitment to refining the Windows experience based on real-world needs.”
Windows 11 is proof they don’t give a s*it.
Worked for me just now
I agree! Windows 11 was a downgrade to me and I kept all 8 computers in our family on Windows 10 as a result. They didn’t listen to any customers. The taskbar was THE main reason I stayed away from Windows 11. With 6 monitors, it is impossible to navigate so many browser tabs, without the feature. I will try the new version in the virtual box to see if it is worth it yet.
Microsoft did a terrible job with this implementation.
They simply need to employ the creator of StartAllBack to fix Windows. He is smarter and more talented than the entire campus of Microsoft employees.
lol
Thank you so much! I work in IT and this is extremely useful information!
Thanks man. The second method worked great!
I used the second method, and i got exactly what i expected.
Using the Bypass 2: Use a banned email address email worked fantastically as I had gone to far to use the bypass 1.
I will be back when I next have a problem.
Keep you the great work
W11 File Explorer is the worst crap ever done. W11 is the biggest shame ever.
Just one more reason for me to go to Linux when Windows 10 ages out.
@ MarineRecon,
Be careful which Linux distro you choose. Some of them don’t include the Wayland protocol which is a security issue i.e. apps can copy, paste and inject data without user interaction.
It’s included in Fedora: https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora/latest/system-administrators-guide/Wayland/
How about a DARK MODE for your website? That would be oh so nice.
Something like this : [https://img.justpaste.me/image/8617] maybe?
Done with ‘Dark Reader Extension for ? Firefox’ [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/darkreader/]
This comment was written on [https://www.ghacks.net/windows-11-installation-has-failed-how-to-fix-this-upgrade-error/#comment-4573155}
Definitely NOT! Once you get older and your eyesight starts to fail you’ll positively loathe dark mode.
Not sure what eye problems *you’re* having, but for me the exact opposite is true. Dark Mode is MUCH easier on my Eyes.
BTW- I’m 52, and have worked in IT all my life. Been staring at monitors for hours each day, most days of the week since the late 1980’s.
Microsoft completely ruined File Explorer by converting to XAML/WinUI/whatever new bloated modern garbage. Its worse than it ever was.
i tested it on win10 current edition. speeds up explorer like a charm
SO what is the priority numbers to give preference to ethernet over wireless?
Worked very well happy to have Windows Photo Viewer back in action in Windows-11
Worked for me (registry option) thank god, I can use the search option to find things on my computer again. Thank you so much!
Install Everything Search and dispense with Microsoft’s crappy search tool. https://www.voidtools.com/
Martin wrote an article on it: https://www.ghacks.net/2020/10/09/add-everything-search-to-the-windows-taskbar-for-even-faster-searches/
I presume the text “WindowsCopilot,,” is a typographical error (2023/09/17/how-to-disable-windows-copilot-in-windows/). The broken comment system unfortunately looks like it is populating itself via AI autopilot.
Hopefully, this Windows Copilot nonsense fails even more spectacularly than Cortana. Who requested this? We want all of the UX features removed back in 11, not this copilot nonsense.
I really don’t mind all of these Windows enhancement but Microsoft get one thing very wrong. ‘Opt in’, is far better than seek information and work to disable.
Turn off Windows Copilot entirely is not good enough.
How to uninstall Copilot entirely ?
@ ilev,
Use Gpedit or the registry. Explained in this article: https://www.ghacks.net/2023/09/17/how-to-disable-windows-copilot-in-windows/
With that snake oil salesman Panos gone, hopefully Windows can return to a normal desktop operating system without all the insanity it has right now in Windows 11.
Can we please stop being ‘politically correct’ (lying) and call them ads again instead of ‘suggestions’?
@ Martin,
Does your gpedit hack also turn off all the other “subscribed content” shown in the registry screenshot? Do you happen to know what all those are?
Thank you, I used the fake email option, it worked great.
I wish I had read this article a few months ago, as I purchased two refurbished Windows 10 Pro PCs to replace two older ones. The 1st one I entered an existing Microsoft account I had and it imediately setup OneDrive, adding it to the path names for the common folders such as Documents, Music, video, etc. I tried to just disable OneDrive but then had odd problems finding my data copied from another older PC. long story short I was able to remove all the entries from the registry after un-installing OneDrive.
The second refurbished PC I didn’t connect the WiFi adapter so during installation I was able to click on the no Internet option. Basically I did as you suggested above; set up a local login, disabled OneDrive from running on bootup, and eventually unInstalled it. No problems with folder paths, etc.
The registry option worked for me, but only me, not any other users. How do I make this apply to all users? Yes, I have admin rights.