How to Change Your Device Name for Nearby Sharing in Windows 11

This article explains how to change the device name for Nearby sharing in Windows 11.

Nearby Sharing is a feature in Windows that allows you to quickly and easily share files and links with nearby devices using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It’s a convenient way to share documents, photos, and other files with friends, family, or nearby colleagues.

When you turn on and use Nearby sharing, the device name that appears on nearby devices is the computer name by default. Starting with Windows 11 build 23545, you can name your device with a friendly name instead of the machine’s to identify with nearby devices.

Only devices enrolled in the Microsoft Insider preview program will see the update today. Once available to all users, you can use the steps below to change your device name for Nearby sharing to a friendly name.

Change device name for Nearby sharing

As mentioned above, a recent update to Windows allows users to change the device name for Nearby sharing to a friendly name instead of using the computer name.

Here’s how to do it!

First, open the Windows Settings app.

You can do that by clicking on the Start menu and selecting Settings. Or press the keyboard shortcut (Windows key + I) to launch the Settings app.

When the Setting app opens, click the System button on the left.

Select the Nearby sharing tile on the right to expand it.

On the System -> Nearby sharing setting pane, select the “Your device is discoverable as YourPCName” tile.

Then, click the Rename link to change your device name.

On the pop-up window, type in a new name the device is discoverable as and save.

Exit the Settings app when you’re done.

Rename Nearby sharing device using the Registry Editor

Another way to rename a device for Nearby sharing is to use the Windows Registry editor.

To do that, open the Windows Registry editor and navigate to the folder key below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters

If you don’t see the Parameters folder key, right-click on the Tcpip parent key, then create the subkey (Parameters) key.

Right-click the Parameters folder key’s right pane and select New -> String Value. Type a new item named ShareFriendlyDeviceName.

Double-click the new item you created (ShareFriendlyDeviceName) and, type in a new name for the device, then save.

That should do it!

Conclusion

• Renaming your device for Nearby sharing in Windows 11 is now possible with the latest update.
• You can now use a friendly name instead of the computer name for easy identification with nearby devices.
• Whether through the Windows Settings app or the Registry Editor, you can personalize your device name for Nearby sharing.