Changing the Windows computer name of a MiWorkspace or Windows Platform as a Service device should be avoided if possible. Because the computer name is tied to records in Active Directory and Otto, name changes are discouraged. However, there are situations when a name change is required. This document describes the steps to successfully change the computer name.
Process
Regardless of whether you decide to fully rebuild or just proceed with the renaming a computer, the Otto record will need to match the actual hostname of the device you want to rename. Ensure this is true before proceeding
Locate the device record in Otto that matches the serial number of the computer. Verify that the computer name in Otto matches the current AD computer name for the device for which you plan to change the name.
Next, you'll want to ensure that the LAPS account credentials work on the device; Alternately, you can (temporarily) create a local admin account (this is the more sure-method, since you know the password will not change).Go back to Otto & verify that you have the password for the local administrator account, and confirm that the password works. You can retrieve the local administrator password from Active Directory by following the procedures for the Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS). Alternatively, you can create a new local administrator account being sure to note the password which you will need later.
In Otto. retire the machine, checking the boxes to delete it from everything (AD/MDT/SCCM/Azure).
Log into the machine locally, using either the LAPS
.\wkst_adminaccount or the local admin account you created.Move the machine out of the domain, into a Workgroup.
Restart.
Go back to Otto & locate the Using the System control panel, remove the device from the domain and add the device to a new workgroup. You will be prompted to restart.
In Otto, locate retired device entry, using the same serial number (assuming it is correct).
Make it Active &Make the retired device active and edit the Custom name without prefix to
what you want it to be (ideally using all CAPS, since 1 can be confused with I or l depending on the font)the new name you plan to set for the device. For readability, it’s best to enter the name in ALL CAPS.
Prestage the device.
Once prestaged, go back to the machine with the logged-in local admin account, rename it, and restart.
Finally, log back in with the local admin account, and re-join it back to the This will create a new computer account in Active Directory using the name you just configured in Otto.
Once is prestaging is completed, use the System control panel to the rename the device to the new name that you configured in Otto. When completing the rename operation, you should also specify adsroot.itcs.umich.edu as the domain , using your AD workstation admin account when prompted.
Restart again.
If all goes well, it should sync back to AD after these steps have been performed.
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to which the computer should be joined. You will be prompted to use an UMROOT account that has permissions to join computers to the domain. Typically, this will be your OU admin account. You will be prompted restart.
Following the restart, confirm that you can sign on to the device with a domain account.
NOTE: It is only recommended to rename the computer account when the device is on-campus and connected to a wired network that has connectivity to the UMROOT Active Directory domain controllers.