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TUTORIAL: How to change device names in Device Manager

 brandon02852 ·  Dec 10, 2012

brandon02852 Dec 10,This

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If you have ever wanted to change that boring "HID-compliant Mouse" title to something more descriptive, this tutorial is for you. The name of
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any device can be modified with this method and can help you Learn more…
organize your devices better in Device Manager.

First, open Device Manager by opening a run prompt (Windows Key + R) and typing devmgmt.msc. You can also access the Device Manager via
the Control Panel.

Next, find the device that you want to change the name of. Since I want to change the name of my "HID-compliant Mouse", I will look for that.
The devices are organized nicely into categories, so you shouldn't have any issues finding the right one.

Right click on the device and select Properties. Then go to the Details tab and pick "Driver key" from the dropdown list. Copy the value by right
clicking it and selecting "Copy".

Open the Registry Editor by opening a run prompt and typing regedit. Grant administrator privileges if prompted to do so.

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > ControlSet001 > Enum

Right click on the Enum key and select "Permissions...".

On the screen that appears, click "Add..."

In the "Enter the object names to select" text field, type the name of the user currently logged into the computer. For instance, my username is
"Brandon" so I type Brandon and press the "Check Names" box. If entered correctly, the rest will be filled out for you automatically. Click OK to
exit that screen.

Still on the permissions page, click "Advanced" then navigate to the "Owner" tab. Select the current user of the computer as the owner and tick
the "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects" checkbox. Click Apply and then OK a few times to exit those windows.

Still on the permissions page, left click your username to select it, then tick the checkbox titled "Full Control". Click "Apply". If done properly, you
have just given yourself permissions to edit Enum and all of its subkeys.

Back in Regedit, left click on the "Enum" key to select it. Then press CTRL + F to open the search prompt. Paste the driver key you copied earlier
and search.

The search should take you to the properties of the device you want to edit. Right click on a blank space and select New > String Value. Name
this string "FriendlyName" (without the quotations).

Double-click on the FriendlyName variable to modify it. In the textfield, type the name you want your device to have.

Go back to Device Manager and go to Action > Scan for hardware changes. If you followed these steps properly, the device should now be
renamed.

Thanks and best of luck! If you have any questions or comments regarding this customization, post a reply to this thread.
Last edited: Dec 10, 2012

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Archist, Clint and MrShowdown

MrShowdown Dec 10, 2012  #2

Well-Known Member
Messages: 1,048
Wow, thanks!
Location:
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radzer0 Jul 29, 2014  #3

Member
Messages: 50
Has anyone been able to make this work? Its all over the internet but it doesnt work on any windows 7 machine I try it on. It will not allow
ownership or permission change on registry keys to do with drivers.
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nommy the Jul 30, 2014  #4

first
Hello Radzer0, and welcome to EightForums
Bleep Bloop
Messages: 46

It will not allow ownership or permission change on registry keys to do with drivers.

That is because, quite easily, there is no need to do all the "take ownership" mumbojumbo.

You can follow this tutorial and just skip the entire "permissions" part and it should work just fine.

Good luck and keep us posted,

Nommy
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dvtx57 Aug 6, 2014  #5

New Member
I'm on windows 8, so it may be different on how to change the device name since when I go to the Advance Security Settings for Enum there is
Messages: 1
no Owners tab. Therefore, I cannot check the "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects." Does anyone know other ways of doing this or
getting around this?

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Brink Aug 6, 2014  #6

Administrator
Messages: 25,168
Hello dvtx57, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Yep, the take ownership part in Windows 8/8.1 has changed a bit. Step 3 in OPTION FOUR can help show you how to so for a registry key now.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...le-folder-drive-registry-key-windows-8-a.html
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Spotlightsrule Sep 30, 2015  #7

New Member
Messages: 1
I tried to do it, but when I tried to modify the friendly name, it gives me an error that says "Cannot Edit FriendlyName: Error writing the value's
new contents."
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Ztruker Jan 14, 2018  #8

Well-Known Member
Messages: 2,890
This works in Windows 10. I just did it to my display which said Generic PNP Monitor. Now says Samsung C327F398 Curved Monitor.
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Razer_ Jan 28, 2018  #9

New Member
Messages: 1
I tried this, looked successful from the Device Manager. After a restart the name changed back. Any ideas?

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KaxLon Jan 19, 2020  #10

New Member
Messages: 1
Just posting for posterity;
Location: This works 100% on Windows 10 too.
Sweden, Alingsås But you don't need to make a new user and take ownership.
You just select the user you're logged in with and all the required info will be auto-pasted into the required fields. If you try to manually find
your user you may not be successful since the email etc must be included on Windows 10. Just select your user instead like I said.
After selecting the user make sure "all permissions" is selected.
Then search for the whole device name by pasting it into Regedit's Enum folder.
Just follow the guide from here on.
There is another easier way to rename devices but I have forgotten how. :/
Have a great 2020 eveyone! =)
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Takara May 19, 2021  #11

New Member
Messages: 1
i got to the step
'Still on the permissions page, click "Advanced" then navigate to the "Owner" tab. Select the current user of the computer as the owner and tick
the "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects" checkbox. Click Apply and then OK a few times to exit those windows.'
without any issues, but here i hit a snag, there's no 'owner' tab as an option on my computer.

i'm on windows 10. i see kaxlon's message, but i'm confused and having difficulty following. can anyone give me some pointers?

if it helps, i'm trying to rename my monitor

thanks all for the help.

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Ztruker May 21, 2021  #12

Well-Known Member
There is no tab, just text with a link called Change.
Messages: 2,890
Location:
Space coast of Florida

Attachments

2021-05-21 13_46_21-Advance…

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Archist Jul 4, 2022  #13

New Member
Messages: 1
I love that this works in 2022 still! It worked for me, but after reconnecting my device, it reverted to the original name. Any ideas on what I can
do to make it stay? Thanks!
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