How to Delete Old Computer Name From Network in Windows 10

This article explains how to remove an old computer that is no longer connected or available from the network details within Windows 10.

How to Flush DNS to Remove Old Computers From the Network

Old entries for non-connected computers can linger in the DNS cache. There's a simple command you can run in Command Prompt to clear this cache. Here's how it works.

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt. one way to do that is to search for cmd and select Run as administrator next to the Command Prompt entry.
   

2. Type the following into Command Prompt, then press Enter:
   

   ipconfig /flushdns
   

3. When you see the message Successfully flushed the DNS Resolve Cache, reboot your computer. After the reboot, and you log in, the old computer should no longer appear in the network details.

   You can restart your PC within Command Prompt using the shutdown command.

How to Disconnect an Unused Computer From the Network

If there's an older computer on your network you no longer use, the simplest way to delete its name from any records on the network is to disconnect it from Wi-Fi. The easiest way to do this is to get on that PC, select the Wi-Fi icon from the right side of the taskbar (near the clock), and toggle Wi-Fi off.

Use the Router to Delete Unknown Computers From the Network

One reason you might want to delete an old computer from your network is if it's unknown, like if your neighbor is using your Wi-Fi. Here are a few ways to do this:

• Change the Wi-Fi password used to connect to your router, and use a stronger protocol like WPA2-AES. Keep in mind that after you do this, you'll have to reconnect all your own devices, too, like your phone, smart TV, etc.
• Pause Wi-Fi to prevent the device from using the network.
• Disable WPS security if it's enabled. This makes it a little too easy for devices to get on your network.
  

Can I Remove My Own Computer Name From Windows 10?

You can't remove the computer name completely, but it is possible to change the name of your Windows computer. If you have two computers with similar names or want to rename an old title, you can do just that.

If you want to change the owner name or change account names (user profiles), you can do that, as well.

Why Old Computers Show Up in the Windows 10 Network Details

Generally, Windows 10 will automatically remove old computers from the network list, but you can do it yourself if this doesn’t happen.

If you change the name of your computer, for example, you may end up with two entries. If you upgrade your computer but no longer have the old one, you may still see it in the network details. The name still shows up in either case, which means the information has not refreshed automatically.