Virtualization Rename Hyper-V Virtual Machine in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to rename a Hyper-V virtual machine in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Hyper-V enables running virtualized computer systems on top of a physical host. These virtualized systems can be used and managed just as if they were physical computer systems, however they exist in virtualized and isolated environment. Special software called a hypervisor manages access between the virtual systems and the physical hardware resources. Virtualization enables quick deployment of computer systems, a way to quickly restore systems to a previously known good state, and the ability to migrate systems between physical hosts.

You can rename a Hyper-V virtual machine anytime you like.

When you rename a Hyper-V virtual machine, it will only change its name in Hyper-V Manager. It will not change the name of the folder or virtual hard disk (.vhdx) file(s) for the virtual machine.

Reference:

You must be signed in as an administrator to rename a Hyper-V virtual machine.

1 Open Hyper-V Manager (virtmgmt.msc).

2 Select the virtual machine (ex: "Windows 11 Home") in the middle pane you want to rename. (see screenshot below)

3 Perform one of the following actions below to rename the virtual machine:

• Press the F2 key.
• Single click/tap on the virtual machine in the Name column.
• Click/tap on Rename in the right "Actions" pane.
• Click/tap on Action on the menu bar, and click/tap on Rename.
• Right click on the selected virtual machine in the middle pane, and click/tap on Rename.

4 Type a new name (ex: "W11 Home") you want for this virtual machine, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)


5 You can now close Hyper-V Manager if you like.





1 Open Windows Terminal (Admin), and select Windows PowerShell.

2 Copy and paste the command below into Windows Terminal (Admin), and press Enter. (see screenshot below step 3)


3 Make note of the virtual machine name (ex: "Windows 11 Home") you want to rename. (see screenshot below)


4 Type the command below into Windows Terminal (Admin), and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

Substitute <Current VM Name> in the command above with the current virtual machine name (ex: "Windows 11 Home") from step 3 you want to rename.

Substitute <New VM Name> in the command above with the new name (ex: "W11 Home") you want for this virtual machine.

For example: Rename-VM "Windows 11 Home" -NewName "W11 Home"

5 You can now close Windows Terminal (Admin) if you like.




That's it,
Shawn Brink