How to Rename a Device in Device Manager
on Windows 10 & Windows 11

Can You Rename a Device in Windows Device Manager?

In most cases, Device Manager does not provide a normal Rename command. You can right-click a device to update drivers, disable it, uninstall it, scan for hardware changes, or open properties, but Windows usually does not let you rename the device directly from the Device Manager interface.

However, there are several ways to change what you see in Windows, depending on the device type:

Why Device Manager Shows a Specific Device Name

Device Manager does not store a simple editable name for every device. The display name can come from several places, including the hardware identifier, the driver INF file, the device class, or a registry value created by Windows or the device driver.

The key point is simple: renaming a device in Settings or in a vendor app does not always rename the same device inside Device Manager. Device Manager may continue to show the technical driver name.

Before You Try to Rename Hardware in Device Manager

Before editing anything, decide what you actually need to rename. If you only want a friendly label in Bluetooth, Printers, Network Connections, or the Start menu, use the normal Windows settings first. Use registry editing only when you specifically need the Device Manager display name to change.

Recommended checklist

• Sign in with an administrator account.
• Create a System Restore point before changing registry permissions.
• Write down the original device name exactly as shown in Device Manager.
• Copy the device instance path from Device Manager before opening Registry Editor.
• Avoid renaming storage controllers, system devices, security devices, and chipset components unless you have a clear reason.

Rename the Device in Vendor Software First

The safest method is to check whether the device manufacturer provides its own name field. This is common with printers, headphones, mice, keyboards, webcams, docking stations, and some gaming peripherals.

1. Open the official app for the device, such as a printer utility, keyboard/mouse software, Bluetooth headphone app, or laptop vendor control center.
2. Look for a section called Device name, Display name, Friendly name, Preferences, or Settings.
3. Enter the new name and save the change.
4. Disconnect and reconnect the device, or restart Windows.
5. Open Device Manager and check whether the new label appears.

This method is the least risky because it uses the software designed for that device. If Device Manager still shows the old technical name, the driver probably does not expose the custom label to Device Manager.

Rename Supported Devices in Windows Settings

Some device categories have user-friendly names in Windows Settings. This does not guarantee that Device Manager will show the same name, but it is the correct method for everyday use.

Rename Bluetooth devices

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Bluetooth & devices.
3. Select the device if Windows shows a rename option or open the related device app.
4. Change the display name, then reconnect the device.

Rename printers

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
2. Select the printer.
3. Open Printer properties.
4. On the General tab, enter a new printer name.
5. Click Apply and OK.

Change the Device Manager Name with the FriendlyName Registry Value

For some hardware, Device Manager reads a registry value called FriendlyName. If this value exists or can be created for the device instance, Windows may show the custom name in Device Manager.

Step 1: Copy the device instance path

1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
2. Find the device you want to rename.
3. Right-click the device and select Properties.
4. Open the Details tab.
5. In the Property drop-down list, select Device instance path.
6. Right-click the value and choose Copy.

Step 2: Open the matching registry key

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Confirm the UAC prompt if it appears.
3. Go to this registry branch:

Registry pathHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum

Now follow the device instance path you copied. For example, if the device instance path starts with USB\VID_1234&PID_5678\ABCDEF, the matching registry location is usually:

ExampleHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\USB\VID_1234&PID_5678\ABCDEF

Step 3: Export the key before editing

1. Right-click the device key.
2. Select Export.
3. Save the backup as a .reg file.

Step 4: Edit or create FriendlyName

1. Look for a string value named FriendlyName.
2. If it exists, double-click it and enter the new name.
3. If it does not exist, right-click an empty area and choose New → String Value.
4. Name the value FriendlyName.
5. Double-click it and enter the name you want Device Manager to show.
6. Close Registry Editor.
7. Restart Windows, or disable and re-enable the device in Device Manager.

Example valueFriendlyName = Office USB Wi-Fi Adapter

If Windows does not allow you to edit the key

The Enum branch is protected. Some device keys cannot be edited until you take ownership or grant permissions to the Administrators group. This is expected, but it also increases the risk of mistakes.

Rename Network Adapters, Bluetooth Devices, and Printers Without Registry Editing

Some hardware categories have separate user-facing labels. These labels are often enough for daily work, even if Device Manager keeps the technical driver name.

Rename a network adapter connection

1. Press Win + R.
2. Type ncpa.cpl and press Enter.
3. Right-click the network adapter connection.
4. Select Rename.
5. Enter a clear name, such as Office Ethernet, USB LAN Adapter, or VPN Wi-Fi.

This changes the connection name used in Network Connections and related Windows network interfaces. Device Manager may still display the adapter by its driver name.

Rename a paired Bluetooth device

Bluetooth names depend heavily on the device and driver. If Windows does not show a rename option, remove the device, rename it in the manufacturer's app or on another platform if supported, then pair it with Windows again.

How to Restore the Original Device Manager Name

If the custom name causes confusion or does not work as expected, revert the change. The safest rollback method depends on how you renamed the device.

Best Way to Rename a Device in Windows: Method Comparison

Common Problems When Renaming Devices in Device Manager

The name changed back after a reboot

The driver may overwrite the name during initialization. This is common when the device name is generated from the driver package or hardware descriptor.

The name changed back after a driver update

A driver update can replace registry values and rebuild device metadata. Rename the device again only if the custom name is still necessary.

The device stopped working after registry editing

Import your exported .reg backup, remove the custom FriendlyName value, or uninstall and reinstall the device driver.

Device Manager still shows the old name

Close and reopen Device Manager, restart Windows, or use Action → Scan for hardware changes. If the name still does not change, that device probably does not use the FriendlyName value for its display label.

FAQ: Renaming Devices in Windows Device Manager