Network and Internet Change Network Name in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to change the name of a network you are connected to in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

The first time you connect to a network, Windows will automatically give it a default name.

A wired Ethernet connection will usually have a generic name like Network by default.

A wireless Wi-Fi connection will usually use the SSID (ex: "Brink-WiFi") of the Wi-Fi network (ex: router) as its name by default.

You can change the default network name to any custom name you want instead.

You must be signed in as an administrator to change a network name.

EXAMPLE: Network name in "Network and Sharing Center", "Network Connections", and hover on network icon









1 Open Registry Editor (regedit.exe).

2 Navigate to the registry key location below in the left pane of Registry Editor, and expand open the Profiles key in the left pane. (see screenshot below)



3 Under the Profiles key in the left pane, click/tap on each long GUID number subkey and look at its ProfileName string value in the right pane until you find the one that has the network name (ex: "Network") you want to change. (see screenshot below step 4)

4 Double click/tap on the ProfileName string value to modify it. (see screenshot below)


5 Type a new network name (ex: "My Home Network") you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

A network name cannot contain \ /,:, *, ?, <, >, |, ", spaces only or tab characters.

6 Close Registry Editor.

7 Either sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to fully apply.

Local Security Policy is only available in the Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

1 Open Local Security Policy (secpol.msc).

2 Click/tap on Network List Manager Policies in the left pane of Local Security Policy. (see screenshot below step 3)

3 In the right pane of Network List Manager Policies, double click/tap on the network name (ex: "Brink-WiFi" or "Network") you want to change. (see screenshots below)


4 In the Network Name tab under the Name section, perform the steps below: (see screenshots below)

1. Select (dot) Name.
   

   Select Not configured instead of Name to undo this and show the name set in Option One.

2. Type a new network name you want.
   

   A network name cannot contain \ /,:, *, ?, <, >, |, ", spaces only or tab characters.

3. Click/tap on OK.

The custom network name you enter here is stored in the NetworkName string value in the registry key below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Signatures\long unique ID number

5 Close Local Security Policy.

6 Either sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to fully apply.


That's it,
Shawn Brink