Skip to content
Setup FoundrySetup FoundryDoku
latest · 0.9.8.15
latest · 0.9.8.150.9.8.150.9.8.140.9.8.120.9.8.110.9.8.100.9.8.90.9.8.80.9.8.6
DESign in

Naming scheme ​

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 computer 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 ​