How to Change Your CPU Name on Windows 11 via Registry

To change the processor name that Windows displays in System Information, you simply need to modify a registry entry called ProcessorNameString. Keep in mind, however, that this change is purely cosmetic, as performance and clock speeds remain unchanged, and it disappears upon restart: when you boot up, Windows reads the actual name directly from the processor.

It’s a harmless trick and an interesting way to see where Windows stores hardware information. The procedure is identical on both Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Where to find the processor name #

At startup, Windows reads the name from the processor and writes it into the registry, with a key for each core:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\CentralProcessor\0

The value containing the name is called ProcessorNameString. Subfolders 0, 1, 2, and so on, represent the logical cores, and system windows read the one labeled zero.

Registry Editor open to the CentralProcessor key with the ProcessorNameString value highlighted — The numbered folders are the logical cores: the one with zero is the one that counts

The procedure #

Before you begin, export a copy of the key you are about to modify: in the Registry Editor, select it, choose File → Export, and save the file. This modification is not risky, but with the registry, it’s a good habit.

Press Win + R, type regedit and confirm the authorization prompt.

Paste this path into the address bar at the top and press Enter:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\CentralProcessor\0

In the right pane, double-click on ProcessorNameString.
Under Value data, delete the current name, type whatever you want, and press OK.
Close the editor and open Settings → System → About: you will find the new name in the Processor line. There is no need to restart; in fact, restarting will cause the change to be lost.

If the entry cannot be modified, the editor does not have administrator privileges. Close it, search for regedit in the Start menu, and choose Run as administrator.

Windows 11 About page showing a fake processor name instead of the real one — The panel shows the registry string, not what is actually inside the computer

The modified name also appears in Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), under the Performance → CPU tab. However, frequency, cores, and cache remain the real ones.

Why the real name returns upon restart #

The part of the registry under HARDWARE is not saved to the disk: Windows reconstructs it at every boot by reading the computer’s components. Therefore, any changes made there only last until you shut down.

If you want the name to persist, you can have it rewritten automatically at every startup using a scheduled task. In Task Scheduler, create a task that starts at system startup, runs as SYSTEM, with this command (change the text within quotes):

reg add "HKLM\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\CentralProcessor\0" /v ProcessorNameString /t REG_SZ /d "Il mio processore" /f

To return to normal, simply disable or delete the task and restart.

What does not change #

There are many misconceptions surrounding this trick, so let’s clear them up:

Performance is identical. The name is just a label, not a setting.
Diagnostic programs see the real name. CPU-Z, HWiNFO, and similar tools read the processor directly and ignore the registry.
Games and programs that check requirements look at actual specifications, not the string.
It does not bypass Windows 11 requirements. The check is based on processor identifiers and functions, not the name.

If you need a screenshot to show someone, keep in mind it won’t pass any real verification: simply opening CPU-Z will reveal the true model.

What can it be used for #

There are a few practical uses:

Understanding how the registry works, using a concrete and reversible example of data that Windows reconstructs at every boot.
Preparing a screenshot for a tutorial or manual without showing your actual computer hardware.
Learning where a program reads system information. If a program shows the fake name after the modification, you’ll know it relies on the registry rather than the processor, which can be useful during troubleshooting.

How to find out what processor you actually have #

If you came here because you want to know what is inside your computer, the proper ways are much simpler:

Task Manager → Performance → CPU shows the model, frequency, cores, and cache.
In PowerShell, the command Get-CimInstance Win32_Processor | Select-Object Name returns the name in a single line. The old wmic cpu get name no longer works: WMIC has been removed from recent versions of Windows 11.
System Information (msinfo32from the Start menu) summarizes all hardware.
Free programs like CPU-Z provide additional details on memory, motherboard, and voltages.

FAQ #

Can this modification damage your computer? #

No. You are changing a text string in a part of the registry that is regenerated at every boot: at most, the name will remain incorrect until you restart. The only real risk, as with the Registry Editor in general, is accidentally touching another key—which is why it’s best to export it first.

Can I make it permanent? #

Not directly, because that part of the registry is rebuilt every time you boot up. However, you can have it reapplied at every startup using the scheduled task described above.

Does it work on Windows 10 too? #

Yes, the key path and the procedure are identical. The only difference is where you see the result: on Windows 10, the page is Settings → System → About.

Is this useful for running programs that require a newer processor? #

No. Requirement checks read processor identifiers and features, not the name displayed in the panel.

Why are there so many numbered folders under CentralProcessor? #

Each one represents a logical core: an eight-core processor with Hyper-Threading will show sixteen. System windows read folder 0, but some programs look at the others; therefore, if you want consistent results, you should modify the value in all of them.

Can I also change my graphics card name? #

The principle is the same for other components described in the registry, with the same consequences: an aesthetic change that disappears upon restart and which diagnostic software will ignore.