How do I change a network's name in Windows 8?

My network is named "Network 3" here:

enter image description here

and here:

enter image description here

I want it be something else. How do I change it?

UPDATE

Changing in not working in Windows-7 way.

Dims

Posted 2014-04-14T12:15:49.013

Reputation: 8 464

I have provided two ways how to change via registry or by editing security policy. Please check my answer. – phoops – 2014-04-14T12:32:28.857

I'm going to use this question on any and all sales people trying to sell me a system with Windows 8... :P – Shaamaan – 2014-04-14T19:34:43.607

Answers

Change it via registry (Option 1)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Profiles

You need to edit the ProfileName key.

Change it via Local security policy (Option 2)

Start > run > secpol.msc
In the left pane of Local Security Policy, click/tap on Network List Manager Policies
In the right pane of Network List Manager Policies, double click/tap on your current network name.
In Network Properties, select (dot) Name, type in a new name for the network you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below) NOTE: The default setting is Not configured. This will have the network name be what it is set as in OPTION TWO below..

phoops

Posted 2014-04-14T12:15:49.013

Reputation: 2 977

1When you're running Windows 8.1 Basic, option 1 is the only option... :( – gustavohenke – 2015-05-07T18:43:04.117

Idem 4 W10 Home – kokbira – 2015-12-09T11:41:11.843

1What actually sets these names? On WiFi, it always sets the name to the SSID, but for ethernet connections what determines the name of a connection? – CMCDragonkai – 2017-02-02T13:46:26.290

3Isn't that just like Microsoft? In Windows 7, you were able to rename them with a user interface. Generic home users didn't need that feature, so they removed the GUI option... and power users now have to browse through nasty-old registry to change that key - even though power users are used to it... because of things like this. :D – Ray – 2014-04-14T16:26:16.050

Go to the network and sharing center, then click on the icon besides the work Network 3.

enter image description here

EDIT: It seemed logical this method would still work in Windows 8, but unfortunately it doesn't. The other solution is the one that will work.

LPChip

Posted 2014-04-14T12:15:49.013

Reputation: 42 190

I don't think you can do this in Win8 anymore, but I can't check it. – phoops – 2014-04-14T12:23:35.810

1In addition, if you are not allowed to change the name, open Secpol.msc » network List manager Policies and allow each network to change the name – nixda – 2014-04-14T12:25:49.767

Indeed, the icon to click on is gone... – LPChip – 2014-04-14T12:30:58.503

Is not working in Windows 8 – Dims – 2014-04-14T12:31:53.507

@Dims I just checked and indeed that icon is gone. Maybe if you configure the icon you can then change it that way, but given that in the same screen you can check the name, you should juse the secpol.msc solution given. – LPChip – 2014-04-14T12:35:31.400

It's working for Windows 7, not for Windows 8. – Phoenix – 2014-06-07T12:30:29.157

@MOPTOH You must've missed my Edit then. I already stated there that it isn't working for windows 8. – LPChip – 2014-06-07T19:54:13.437