Random Windows hostname generator

random_windows_hostname.md

Random Windows Hostname from Linux Shell

Shell function one-liner to produce a pseudorandom hostname in the style of Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10 e.g. DESKTOP-V1XZZQ3

random_windows_hostname() {
    printf "DESKTOP-$(/usr/bin/tr -dc A-Z0-9 </dev/urandom | /usr/bin/head -c 7)"
}
echo "$(random_windows_hostname)"   # produces DESKTOP-V1XZZQ3

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Further Reading and Sources

1. Microsoft Windows hostname specs

random_windows_hostname.sh

#!/bin/sh
set -eu

# Generates a random DESKTOP-XXXXXXX hostname in line with Windows 7, Windows 10
# The returned hostname is not terminated by a newline so it can be used for variables.
#
#   see: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-vista/cc749460(v=ws.10)
#
# usage: random_windows_hostname 
#   out: DESKTOP-V1XZZQ3
random_windows_hostname() {
  printf "DESKTOP-$(/usr/bin/tr -dc A-Z0-9 </dev/urandom | /usr/bin/head -c 7)"
}

# Example usage
random_windows_hostname
echo