Windows 7 - Dual Boot - Change OS Name in Windows Boot Manager

**Brink** · **METHOD ONE:**

How to Change the OS Name in Windows Boot Manager

Information

When you dual boot, this will show you how to change a listed operating system name in the Windows Boot Manager to what you want from within the operating system that you want to change the name of. For example, in Windows 7.

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..)

RELATED LINKS:

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 you like though.

Dual Boot - Change OS Name in Windows Boot Manager-boot_manager.jpg

Dual Boot - Change OS Name in Windows Boot Manager-boot_manager-2.jpg

METHOD ONE:
With the bcdedit Command

1. Start the Operating System (ex: Windows 7) that you want to change the name of in the Windows Boot Manager screen.

2. Open a elevated command prompt.

3. In the elevated command prompt, type bcdedit and press enter. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: This will let you see what the name of the {current} operating system name is. This will be the operating system that you are currently in (ex: Windows 7).

4. In the elevated command prompt, type:
bcdedit /set {current} Description "name you want"
and press enter. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: For example, if I wanted to change the name to Windows 7 (build 7000), I would type bcdedit /set {current} Description "Windows 7 (build 7000)" and press enter.

5. 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.

6. Close the elevated command prompt.

7. When you restart the computer next, you will see the new name listed for the operating system. (See example screenshots at the top of the tutorial)

METHOD TWO:
With EasyBCD Program

Note

Special thanks to SIW2 for providing this.

FIRST: Download and install the EasyBCD program, then run it.

1. Click on the Change Settings button.

2. Select the OS whose name you want to change in the drop down arrow menu.

3. To the left of the Name line, click in the line to put the cursor there and type any name you want for the OS.

4. Click on the Save Settings button.

That's is,
Shawn

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**Barman58** · 03-11-2009

Hi Shawn,

Not sure if a Note about/link to EasyBCD and/or Vistabootpro may be useful for people who are not comfortable with the command prompt.

Just an idea

**kellymac35** · 03-11-2009

Thank you Shawn,

Finally got rid of that (Recoverd) I ended up with on my first install.

**Brink** · 03-11-2009

You're welcome Kellymac.

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.

**SIW2** · 03-11-2009

Hi,

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.

Alternatively, you can use the free Easybcd

Download EasyBCD 1.7.2 - NeoSmart Technologies

Dual Boot - Change OS Name in Windows Boot Manager-easybcd2009-01-23_142941.jpg

1. Click Change Settings.

2. Select the o/s whose name you want to change in the drop down flap.

3. Click where it says Name to put the cursor there, type any name you want.

4. Click Save Settings.

Hope it helps

**Brink** · 03-11-2009

Thank you SIW2. Added.

**Cashis** · 06-12-2009

Great Easy done Thanks

**Brink** · 06-12-2009

You're welcome Cashis. I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted.

dew1 · 06-12-2009

I use EasyBCD

thanks ..

hcorissa · 07-30-2009

thanks so much for this and other truly great tutorials Brink. It is really appreciated,