How to Change the Hostname on Windows Server 2016

Server Management Made Easy: How to Change the Hostname in Windows Server 2016

Hi there, this is Darren from Darren’s Tech Tutorials, and I’m thrilled you stopped by!

While Windows Server 2016 handles heavy-duty tasks, managing it shouldn’t be difficult. One of the most basic, yet essential, tasks after installation is renaming your machine. Whether you’re setting up an Active Directory (AD) server, a dedicated web host, or a file server, assigning a clear, logical hostname is vital for network organization and clarity.

In this quick, straightforward tutorial, we’re going to walk through the exact steps for changing your Windows Server 2016 hostname using the built-in Server Manager application. Let’s get that server properly named and ready for action!

Why Change the Hostname?

When you first install Windows Server, it typically generates a long, complex, semi-random hostname. While functional, these names are impossible to remember and manage efficiently on a larger network.

By renaming your server to something like AD-Server-01 or Web-Host-Prod, you make remote management, troubleshooting, and documentation significantly easier.

Step-by-Step Guide: Renaming the Server 2016 Hostname

This process is handled entirely within the Server Manager dashboard and only takes a few moments—though it does require a crucial final restart!

Step 1: Launch Server Manager

If Server Manager doesn’t open automatically upon login, you can easily access it via the Start menu.

1. Click the Start menu (Windows icon) in the bottom-left corner.
2. Click on Server Manager.

Step 2: Navigate to Local Server Settings

Once the Server Manager dashboard loads, you will see several options in the left navigation pane.

1. Click on Local Server.
2. On the main panel, look for the Properties section. You will see the current machine name listed next to the ‘Computer name’ field. (In the example from the video, the name was initially set to “Web Server,” but yours will likely be different).

Step 3: Initiate the Change

1. Click directly on the existing computer name hyperlink next to ‘Computer name’. This will open the System Properties window.
2. In the System Properties window, navigate to the Computer Name tab (it should be selected by default).
3. Click the Change… button.

Step 4: Enter Your New Hostname

A new window will appear, allowing you to define the new server identity.

1. In the Computer Name text box, type your desired new hostname.
   • Pro Tip: Hostnames should be descriptive, concise, and contain no spaces or special characters (other than hyphens). In our example, we renamed the machine to AD-Server.
2. Click OK.

Step 5: Confirm and Restart the Server

Windows Server 2016 requires a restart for any hostname change to take effect, as this change alters fundamental network settings.

1. After clicking OK, you will receive a prompt stating: “You must restart your computer to apply these changes.”
2. Click OK on this prompt.
3. Click Close on the System Properties window.
4. You will now be prompted to restart. Click Restart Now.

The server will restart, which may take a few minutes.

Step 6: Verify the Hostname Change

Once the server has fully rebooted and you have logged back in, let’s quickly confirm that the new hostname is correctly applied.

1. Re-open Server Manager via the Start menu.
2. Click on Local Server in the left navigation pane.
3. Check the Properties section. The value next to ‘Computer name’ should now display the new hostname you assigned (e.g., AD-Server).

Perfect! Your Windows Server 2016 machine is now running under its new, organized identity.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Renaming your Windows Server 2016 hostname is a foundational step in server administration, and as you can see, Server Manager makes the process extremely quick and painless. You now have a cleanly named machine ready for its designated role on your network.

Did you run into any issues during this process? Please drop a comment below—I’m happy to help troubleshoot!

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Thanks for watching!