When you change a Windows computer name through System Properties or PowerShell, the system doesn't immediately apply the change. Instead, it writes the new name to this registry location:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ComputerName\ComputerName
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ComputerName\ActiveComputerName

But here's the catch - the running system maintains the computer name in memory through these core components:

• NetBIOS name table
• Active Directory domain membership (if joined)
• Security subsystem (LSASS)
• Network stack bindings

Consider what would need to happen for a live name change:

// Pseudo-code of what would be required
foreach (process in system) {
    if (process.hasNetworkDependencies()) {
        process.updateNameBindings(newComputerName);
    }
}
foreach (service in services) {
    service.rebindNetworkEndpoints(newComputerName);
}
ActiveDirectory.UpdateSPNs(oldComputerName, newComputerName);

The reboot requirement exists because:

1. Security Principal Context: The computer account in AD uses the name as part of its security identifier
2. Network Stack Dependencies: TCP/IP, NetBIOS and other protocols establish connections using the current name
3. Service Dependencies: Many services (SQL Server, IIS) bind to the computer name during startup

Windows loads the computer name from registry during these phases:

You can verify the pending name change using PowerShell:

$pending = Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ComputerName\ComputerName" -Name "ComputerName"
$current = hostname
Write-Host "Current: $current | Pending: $($pending.ComputerName)"

For domain-joined machines, additional complexity exists:

# View AD computer account attributes
Get-ADComputer -Identity $env:COMPUTERNAME -Properties * | 
Select-Object DNSHostName,ServicePrincipalName

During reboot, Windows:

• Updates the computer object in AD
• Regenerates SPNs (Service Principal Names)
• Re-establishes secure channel with domain controllers

While reboots are mandatory for complete changes, some partial workarounds exist:

# Force immediate NetBIOS name change (temporary)
nbtstat -RR

# Update DNS registration
ipconfig /registerdns

Note these only affect network discovery temporarily - the core system name remains unchanged until reboot.

Windows maintains computer name references at multiple architectural layers, creating synchronization challenges. The name exists in:

• NetBIOS name table (loaded at boot)
• Active Directory secure channel (if domain-joined)
• LSASS process memory
• Network stack bindings
• Service Control Manager database

// Registry location storing pending name change
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ComputerName\ActiveComputerName
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ComputerName\ComputerName

Critical system components like the Security Account Manager (SAM) and Local Security Authority (LSA) cache the computer name during initialization. These subsystems cannot be dynamically reloaded due to:

1. Handle references maintained by running processes
2. Security descriptor computations tied to original name
3. Inter-process communication channels using machine name as endpoint

The Windows networking subsystem establishes numerous name-based bindings during boot:

// Example of network components requiring name consistency
netstat -ano | findstr "LISTENING"
# Shows multiple services bound to current computer name

Dynamic reconfiguration would require:

• Terminating all active connections
• Rebinding all network services
• Updating DNS registrations
• Re-establishing trust relationships

While Microsoft doesn't officially support name changes without reboot, some techniques can minimize impact:

# PowerShell script for controlled rename sequence
Rename-Computer -NewName "NEW_HOST" -DomainCredential (Get-Credential) -Force
Restart-Service -Name "Netlogon" -Force
Invoke-Command -ComputerName LOCALHOST -ScriptBlock {klist purge}

To inspect pending computer name operations:

reg query "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ComputerName" /s
systeminfo | findstr /C:"Host Name"
wmic computersystem get name

Critical note: Never manually edit these registry keys as improper changes may break system boot.

For large-scale deployments, consider these patterns:

1. Use PowerShell Desired State Configuration for rename orchestration
2. Implement maintenance windows with proper service dependencies
3. Coordinate with Active Directory replication schedules
4. Validate Kerberos ticket renewal post-reboot

# DSC configuration for controlled rename
Configuration RenameNode {
    Node "OLD_HOST" {
        Computer NewName {
            Name = "NEW_HOST"
        }
    }
}