When you multi boot, this will show you how to change the name of a operating system listed in the Windows Boot Manager to what you want to change the name to instead.
You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.
Tip
It can be real useful to rename a operating system if you have more than one OS listed with the same name, or you would like to have a better description (ex: 32-bit, 64-bit, build number), etc..)
EXAMPLE: Windows Boot Manager NOTE:This is an example of the default Windows 7 name (left) renamed to Windows 7 (build 7000) (right) instead. You can rename the OS to any name that you like though.
OPTION ONE
Using the bcdedit Command
1. Open a elevated command prompt or a command prompt at boot. NOTE:If you have a RAID setup or a PCI-E SSD as your boot drive and want to open a command prompt at boot, then you may need to use the Load Drivers option in the System Recovery Options screen to load it's drivers first before Windows will see the boot drive to be able to use the bcdedit command on it.
2. In the elevated command prompt, type bcdedit and press enter. (see screenshot below) NOTE:This will let you see what the description (name) and identifier of the operating system(s) listed in Windows Boot Manager are under the Windows Boot Loader section(s). For example, Windows 7 (description) as {current} (identifier).
3. In the elevated command prompt, type the command below for a listed OS that you want to change the name of, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
bcdedit /set {identifier} Description "name you want"
For example: If I wanted to change the name from Windows 7 (description) as {current} (identifier) to Windows 7 (build 7000), I would type this below and press Enter.
4. In the elevated command prompt, type bcdedit and press enter. (see screenshot below) NOTE:This will let you see and verify the new name of the {current} operating system.
5. Close the elevated command prompt.
6. When you restart the computer next, you will see the new name listed for the operating system in the Windows Boot Manager screen. (see example screenshots at the top of the tutorial)
OPTION TWO
Using the Free "EasyBCD" Program
1. Download and install the latest free version of the EasyBCD program, then run it. NOTE: The free version download is at the bottom under "Download free for limited, non-commercial use".Registration is not required to download.
2. Click on the Edit Boot Menu button, select the OS (ex: Windows 7) that you want to rename, and click on the Rename button. (see screenshot below)
3. Type in the new name (ex: Windows 7 Ultimate) and press Enter. (see screenshots below)
Computer type PC/Desktop System Manufacturer/Model Number Real World Computing (Me + a little help from Acer) OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 + x86 + Windows 8 x64 CPU AMD Phenom II X6 1035T 2.6 GHz Motherboard Aspire M3400 Memory 4Gb PC10600 DDR3 1333 MHz Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce 315 512MB Sound Card OnBoard - Realtek High Definition Audio Monitor(s) Displays Philips 32" HDTV, (HDMI) + 26" TV (VGA) Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 @60Hz + 1360 x 768 @60Hz
Keyboard Microsoft Wireless 800 or Stock Acer, (depends where I sit) Mouse Microsoft Wireless 800 or Stock Acer, (depends where I sit) PSU Stock (400W) Case Acer M3400 Cooling Stock Hard Drives 500 GB Seagate ST3500418AS SATA II
1 TB Hitachi HDS5C1010CLA382 SATAII
1 TB Samsung Spinpoint F1 HD103SI SATA II (external)
Plus various other (client ) HDDs as needed Internet Speed Temporaray 3G Dongle Antivirus Avast Browser Chrome Other Info USB Capture + Webcam(s) Bamboo Digitizer tablet
Also run Acer AspireOne 530h Netbook, Dual Core Atom + 1GB (Win7 Ult x86) Plus various test systems for new projects
System Manufacturer/Model Number Self Built:kellymac35/TOSHIBA LAPTOP X775 3DV78 OS WINDOWS 7 Ultimate x64 Full CPU INTEL i7 930/INTEL i7 2630QM 2.9 GHz With Turbo Boost Motherboard EVGA X58 3X SLI CLASSIFIED/TOSHIBA Memory MUSHKIN ENHANCED 12GB/8GB SAMSUNG DDR3 1333 MHz Graphics Card EVGA GTX570 S.C(SLI) FERMI /GTX560M 1.5GB of GDDR 5 DISCRETE Sound Card REALTEK ON BOARD /BUILT IN HARMAN KARDON STEREO SPKS Monitor(s) Displays TOSHIBA 32'' /17.3" LCD 3D READY 120 Hz LED BACKLIT Screen Resolution 1360x768/1920x1080
Keyboard Logitech MX 3200/PREMIUM RAISED TILE LED BACKLIT Mouse Logitech PSU CORSAIR Professional Series AX1200 1200W Case THERMALTAKE Xaser VI Cooling CORSAIR HYDRO SERIES H70 Hard Drives MUSHKIN Enhanced Callisto Deluxe SSD X 2 240GB RAID 0/MUSHKIN Enhanced Callisto Deluxe 240 GB SSD 750 GB Serial ATA Hard Drive Internet Speed DSL Other Info (SPDIF) To Kenwood VR-6070 Lucasfilm THX Select Surround EX
Yeah Nigel, I had thought about having a method with one or both of them to, but I wanted to try and keep away from using 3rd party programs if it can be helped. If I get many requests for it, I'll add one for it. I tried to make this method pretty easy, so we'll see I guess.
I have already posted this a few times, but it may be a good idea to put it here as well, instead of inside the tutorial. Feel free to move this right underneath the tutorial if you feel it helps, Shawn.
System Manufacturer/Model Number Handy manny OS Windows 7 (x64) CPU i7 870 Motherboard Evga P55 FTW Memory G.Skill Trident (F3-17066CL9D-4GBTDS 2x2GB) - 2133MHz Graphics Card Evga GTX 460 EE 1GB Sound Card On Board Monitor(s) Displays Samsung P2350 Screen Resolution 1920x1080
Keyboard Logitech MX5500 Revolution Mouse Logitech MX5500 Revolution PSU Corsair 620w Case Corsair 800D Cooling Corsair H50 Hard Drives 1 x 64GB G-Skill Falcon SSD
1 x 60GB Corsair Force Series SSD
1 x 1TB WD Caviar Black
2 x 640GB WD Caviar Black
1 x 1TB Samsung Spinpoint F3 Internet Speed http://www.speedtest.net/result/939062765.png Other Info http://www.sevenforums.com/overclocking-case-mods/104136-show-us-your-rig-2-a-4.html#post937213
System Manufacturer/Model Number Acer AM1100-E104A OS Win7 HP (RTMx86), Win7 Ultimate (7229x86) CPU AMD Athlon 64 x2 4400+ (2.3 GHz) Motherboard Acer F690GVM Memory 3 Gigs DDr2 Ram Graphics Card ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro Sound Card integrated HD sound Monitor(s) Displays 1 LG 21" Flatron Wide LCD Monitor Screen Resolution 1680x1050
Keyboard Logitech wireless keyboard Mouse Logitech wireless mouse PSU 420 W Case Acer Hard Drives Seagate 320 Gb 7200 sata, Seagate 500 Gb 7200 Sata Internet Speed 10 Mbit download, 1Mbit upload Other Info Never had a major problem with Vista but am enjoying Windows 7!