Change Your Windows Server Hostname
Easily change your Windows server hostname — then update it in your Liquid Web account and DNS records.
Introduction
Changing your server’s hostname is a simple process, though it’s usually reserved for major events like branding updates or legal name changes. While not publicly visible, the hostname is critical because it appears in email headers and DNS records. This guide covers how to update your hostname on a Windows Server using the System Properties menu or a PowerShell command, and how to finalize the change in your Liquid Web account.
If your server has the Plesk control panel, we recommend you follow the following guide instead: Change Your Plesk Server Hostname
Prerequisites
Before you start make sure your system meets the following requirements:
- Operating system: Windows
- Admin access
- Fully Qualified Domain Name that is reachable via DNS.
A FQDN is the complete, unambiguous domain name for your server. It includes the specific host name (the machine name) and the rest of the domain name.
Format: hostname.domainname.tld
Example: server.yourcompany.com
Why is an FQDN mandatory?
- DNS Resolution: For any external service (like email or remote connections) to reliably find your server, the FQDN must be translated into your server’s IP address. This critical function is handled by DNS (Domain Name System).
- Email Deliverability: Many spam filters perform reverse DNS lookups (checking if the IP matches the FQDN). Using an FQDN that resolves correctly is vital for preventing your emails from being marked as spam.
- SSL/TLS Certificates: Certificates used for securing web and control panel access (e.g., WHM/cPanel) must be issued to a valid FQDN.
- Best Practice: Choose a descriptive, simple hostname (e.g., host, server, vps) and combine it with a domain you own. Remember that once you set the FQDN on the server, you must update the corresponding DNS A Record (mapping the FQDN to the server’s IP address)
Step-by-step instructions
To keep your services in sync, be sure to update your hostname in the my.liquidweb.com portal after you change it. Instructions found below.
If your server uses Active Directory or Active Directory as a Service, changing the hostname will cause significant problems.
- Choose a unique name for the server. Common choices include server1, host, or a name related to its function.
- Identify the domain name you will use, such as yourdomain.com.
Avoid using a website’s domain name as the server’s hostname. Make sure the domain is registered and socially acceptable, as it will be visible in email headers.
- Combine them into the hostname.domain.com format.
- Login to your Windows server using RDP. If you are unsure how, see Using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to Log into Your Windows Server.
- Click the Start Menu and select Server Manager.
- In the Properties section, click on the current Computer Name to open the System Properties.
- In the System Properties window, click Change.
- Enter a new name in the Computer name field. Click OK on the Computer Name window and then OK on the System Properties window.
- Run Powershell with Administrator privileges, and run the following command. Be sure to replace the placeholder “your-new-hostname” with your actual hostname:
Rename-Computer -NewName "your-new-hostname"- Restart the server to apply the changes.
- Once you’ve changed your hostname in Windows, log into your my.liquidweb.com to report your new hostname.
- Click on Servers > My Servers section located on the left panel and find your server in the list.
- Click on the meatball menu “3 dots”, located on the right side and click on Edit Hostname.
- Provide your new hostname in the Server Hostname input field, and click Update save the changes made.