When you contact the CCS Help Centre, our support staff may ask for your computer's name. This unique identifier helps us quickly locate your device in our systems to provide faster and more accurate support.
This guide shows you how to find the name of your university-owned Windows or macOS computer.
The easiest way to find your computer's name is through the Settings menu.
Press the Windows logo key + I on your keyboard to open Settings.
Select System from the menu on the left.
Click on About at the bottom of the list.
Your computer's name is listed as the Device name. You can click the Copy button next to it to easily paste the name into an email or support ticket.
Alternative Method: In the Windows search bar, type PC Name and press Enter. This will take you directly to the About screen.
You can find your Mac's name in System Settings.
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
Select System Settings.
Click General in the left-hand sidebar, then click About.
The name of your computer is the first item listed at the top of the About window.
For macOS Monterey or older:
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
Select System Preferences.
Click Sharing.
Your computer name will be listed at the top of the Sharing window.
Most computers owned by the University are "managed," meaning they are supported by either central (CCS) or departmental IT staff. Identifying a managed computer helps us understand its configuration and how best to assist you.
Here are common indicators that your computer is managed by the University:
Provided by the University: The computer was purchased through or issued by your department or CCS.
University Login: You use your University of Guelph central login ID and password to sign in to the computer.
Standard Naming Convention: The computer's name often follows a specific University format (e.g., DEPARTMENT-SERIALNUMBER).
University-Specific Software/Tools: You see applications like "Self Service" or “Software Center”, or receive notifications for updates and software installations pushed by University IT.
Restricted Access: You may have limitations on installing software or making system changes without administrative approval.
If you have any trouble finding this information, please contact the CCS Help Centre for assistance.