Another blog post that is geared towards new Ubuntu users or newbies. This post shows you how to easily change your computer name when using Ubuntu. Many users will never worry about changing their computer name or hostname in Ubuntu. In most cases, that’s the least of their worries.
Many will use the name that was created or given to the machine during Ubuntu installation. But for those new users who would like to know how to do it, continue below to learn how. This post isn’t for pros, it’s for newbies and users who are just starting out with Ubuntu.
So, why would you want to change your computer name again? If you don’t have a good reason other than to learn how to do it, then don’t. If you want to do it for a good reason or learn how to do it, then do this.
Press Ctrl – Alt – T on your keyboard to open the terminal. When it opens, run the commands below to edit the hostname file using gedit.
sudo gedit /etc/hostname
Next, change whatever in there to be the new computer name. For example, if you want your computer name to be RDOMNU, delete what’s currently in there and type RDOMNU and save the file.
Next, run the commands below to open the hosts file.
sudo gedit /etc/hosts
Then change the value of the second line highlighted below to match your computer name you entered earlier. Save the file when you’re done.
That’s it! Restart your computer and your machine will reflect the new name. This is how one changes the name of a Ubuntu machine.
Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my computer name in Ubuntu using terminal commands?
To change your Ubuntu computer name, open the terminal using Ctrl - Alt - T, then edit the hostname file with 'sudo gedit /etc/hostname'. After entering the new computer name, save the file and update the hosts file with 'sudo gedit /etc/hosts'. Restart your computer to reflect the changes.
What are the steps to rename my Ubuntu machine?
To rename your Ubuntu machine, open the terminal, edit the hostname file to change the computer name, update the hosts file to match the new name, and then restart your computer to apply the changes.
Is it necessary to change the computer name in Ubuntu?
Changing the computer name in Ubuntu is not necessary unless you have a specific reason to do so. Most users use the default name assigned during installation.
How can I edit the hostname file in Ubuntu?
To edit the hostname file in Ubuntu, open the terminal and run 'sudo gedit /etc/hostname'. Replace the existing name with your desired computer name and save the file.
What is the purpose of changing the computer name in Ubuntu?
Changing the computer name in Ubuntu allows you to personalize your system and make it more identifiable on a network. It can also help in organization and troubleshooting.
Can I change my Ubuntu computer name without using the terminal?
No, changing the computer name in Ubuntu requires using the terminal to edit the hostname and hosts files. These files store the computer name and associated information.
Will changing my Ubuntu computer name affect system performance?
Changing the computer name in Ubuntu will not affect system performance. It is a simple configuration change that does not impact the functionality or speed of the system.
What should I do after changing my Ubuntu computer name?
After changing your Ubuntu computer name, remember to restart your machine to apply the new name. This ensures that the updated name is reflected across the system.
