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Naming scheme

How the Install Assist assigns the computer name, typed, from a schema, from a list or with a fixed prefix.

Only Pro · since 0.9.8.5

Purpose

Sets how the Install Assist assigns the computer name on the target machine, and whether the boot partition is labeled with the device name.

Availability

Pro only. Free and Home have no such page: the name is typed on the target machine, and the boot partition always carries the device name.

The setting applies to the whole application, not per installation profile.

Steps

  1. In the left rail, section Assist, open Naming.
  2. Under Name assignment, choose the mode. Its settings appear below; Manual has none.
  3. Name the Windows drive: Name drive C: after the computer name., on by default.
  4. Save.

The modes:

  • Manual: the technician types the name in the Install Assist.
  • Automatic: Scheme: with placeholders, default PC-{seq3}. Test shows the next three names. Still allow manual entry lets the technician turn off the “Assign the PC name automatically” switch in the Install Assist and type a name; without it, the switch is locked. Automatic assignment is on by default sets the switch's position.
  • List: type a name, Add (or Enter). The Install Assist shows a drop-down list with nothing preselected.
  • Prefix: the Prefix: value sits fixed in front of the Install Assist's input field; the technician types the rest. Maximum total length: (1 to 15) caps prefix and rest together, Digits only allows only digits for the rest. The line below shows how many characters remain.

Schema placeholders; everything else is kept verbatim:

  • {seq} running number, {seq.N} running number with at least N digits (N = 1 to 9)
  • {rnd} one random digit, {rnd.N} N random digits
  • {year} year, four digits; {month} month, two digits

Older forms such as {seq3} or {rand2} are still understood.

Result

The setting goes into install_assist.config.json on the next medium you create; media already created do not change. The Install Assist reads it at startup and offers the name field in the chosen mode.

With Name drive C: after the computer name. on, C: gets the computer name as its volume label at the end of setup.

Notes

  • Name rules: at most 15 characters (NetBIOS), letters A–Z, digits and hyphen, no hyphen at the start or end, not digits only. For a schema, each placeholder counts at its declared width, {year} as 4 characters.
  • Running number: starts at 1 and skips names listed under Fixed names. Setup Foundry keeps no counter across installations; every installation from the same medium proposes the same first free name. For several machines, add {rnd.N} to the schema or change the name on the target machine.
  • Empty name field in the Install Assist (Manual, Prefix): Windows Setup assigns a random name.
  • Schema unusable on the target machine: the Install Assist reports “The naming schema is unusable - please enter a name.” or “No free number left in the naming schema – please enter a name.” and opens the field for typing.

If it does not work

Only a configuration that yields at least one valid name is saved. Otherwise, a red message appears in the status line:

  • The scheme has no placeholder. Every computer would get the same name.: add at least one placeholder.
  • “The schema produces … characters — more than the allowed ….” Shorten the schema or narrow its placeholders.
  • “With … the schema produces invalid characters …” / “With … the schema produces only digits …” Remove characters outside A–Z, 0–9 and hyphen; add a letter.
  • Please enter at least one name.: in List mode, add at least one name.
  • “… is longer than … characters.” / “… contains invalid characters …” A name breaks the name rules.
  • “The prefix … leaves no characters to type.” Shorten the prefix or raise Maximum total length:.
  • Orange: “Naming saved. Careful: no free number is left in the naming schema right now …” Saved. Every number of the schema is taken; widen the placeholders or remove names from the list.

See also