How to rename an Azure VM?

I recently renamed a VM's computer name but the name that appears in the Azure portal is still the old name. I had read somewhere that the name in the Azure portal should automatically update within minutes or hours to reflect a changed computer name, but it's been days and the name hasn't changed.

Does anyone know how to change the name that shows up in the portal? I assume it can be done via PowerShell but want to make it's not going to break anything.

December 25th, 2013 8:38pm

Changing the DNS name of a VM is currently not supported. You'd have to create a new VM if you want another name I'm afraid.

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December 25th, 2013 9:27pm

I don't care about the DNS name. Actually this VM is in a cloud service with several VM's so the DNS name is the cloud service anyway, not the VM name.

I only care about the name that appears under the Name column in the dashboard. Is there no way to change this?

December 26th, 2013 8:47pm

I see. Haven't tried it myself, but the following link might be of help to you: http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/vstudio/en-US/ad43afbc-0d75-4f70-85cd-dd0a7fc84c5f/rename-vm-in-azure?forum=WAVirtualMachinesforWindows

HTH

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December 27th, 2013 2:55am

I see. Haven't tried it myself, but the following link might be of help to you: http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/vstudio/en-US/ad43afbc-0d75-4f70-85cd-dd0a7fc84c5f/rename-vm-in-azure?forum=WAVirtualMachinesforWindows

January 2nd, 2014 4:29pm

Hi Jason,

How did you change your VM host name?  You could also use cmdlets "updateRole" to change host name value(http://stackoverflow.com/questions/17186719/azure-change-vm-name-using-cmdlets) .And you could see this page(http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windowsazure/jj156072.aspx ).

NOTE:

In the Management Portal, Name and Host Name can have the same value. However, Name does not refer to hostname. If you change the hostname of your virtual machine, only the Host Name field is updated. The value in Name will remain unchanged.  Name resolution is based on the value listed in Host Name.

Regards,

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January 3rd, 2014 12:45pm

I changed the host name by logging into the VM and changing it.

The MSDN article you mentioned states "In the Management Portal...If you change the hostname of your virtual machine, only the Host Name field is updated. The value in Name will remain unchanged."

That's exactly the situation I'm in.

The article then goes on to provide guidance for how to change the Host Name, but there's no mention of how to change the Name in the Management Portal once the Host Name of the VM has been changed. :/

January 3rd, 2014 4:38pm

Hi Jason,

How did you change hostname? Did you restart your VM?

I could change my VM from "My Computer" properties .

You could click "change setting" to change your computer name. After you restarted your VM, your host name in portal will changed quickly. You could check it in "Dashboard" .

If you want change VMs list name, I think it may be difficult. Because this name is the DNS name.

In the Management Portal, Name and Host Name can have the same value. However, Name does not refer to hostname

Please try it. If I misunderstood, please let me know.

Regards,

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January 6th, 2014 6:22am

Hi Will-

I changed my VM's computer name by logging in and changing from My Computer properties. Yes I restarted.

Here are the various values I see in the Azure Management Portal:

DNS Name: This is the name of the cloud service that this VM is in. It is correct.

Host Name: This correctly updated with the new computer name shortly after I changed it.

"Name", in the list of all virtual machine instances in my account on the main Virtual Machines tab (which is also the name that appears in the first "All Items" page you see upon login). This is still the old name and this is the only name I'm asking about. DNS Name and Host Name are fine.

January 6th, 2014 7:23am

Hi Jason,

you could change the "HostName", but could not change "Name" value. In document, "If you change the hostname of your virtual machine, only the Host Namefield is updated. The value in Namewill remain unchanged" . If you want to change it, I guess you may need create a new one using new name. Currently, azure didn't support to change "Name". You could submit  a feature suggestion on http://www.mygreatwindowsazureidea.com/forums/34192-windows-azure-feature-voting.
Best Regards,

Will

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January 6th, 2014 8:15am

Hi Jason,

I will mark this this thread as answer, if you find it no help, please fell free to unmark.
Thanks!
Regards,

Will

January 9th, 2014 10:23am

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