What changing your username actually does

Changing your Windows username updates the name that appears on your login screen, in the Start menu, and in file paths on your computer. It does not change your password, your Microsoft account email, or any of your files — those stay exactly where they are. The change takes effect the next time you log in.

Windows stores your username in two places: as your local account name (the one you see on the login screen) and sometimes as your display name (what shows in the Start menu and Settings). You can change one, both, or neither depending on how your account is set up. If you use a Microsoft account to sign in, the process is slightly different than if you use a local account.

Key Takeaways

  • Local account usernames are changed through Settings > Accounts > Your info, then clicking "Rename your PC" or through Control Panel on older Windows versions.
  • Microsoft account display names are changed at account.microsoft.com, not on your computer, and the change syncs to your PC within a few minutes.
  • Changing your username does not affect your files, passwords, or installed programs — they all remain accessible after the change.
  • If you forget your username, you can see it by opening File Explorer, right-clicking "This PC," selecting Properties, and looking at the full computer name.

Changing a local account username

If you sign into Windows with a username and password you created on this computer (not a Microsoft account), use Settings to change it. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then select Settings from the results. Go to Accounts on the left side, then select Your info.

Look for a button that says "Rename your PC" or "Rename your account." Click it, type your new username, and click Next. Windows will ask you to sign out and back in for the change to take effect. When you restart, your new username will appear on the login screen and in the Start menu.

On Windows 10 or 11, if you do not see a rename option in Settings, try the older method: press Windows key + R, type "netplwiz," and press Enter. Select your account, click Properties, and change the username in the User name field. Click OK and restart your computer.

Changing a Microsoft account display name

If you sign in with a Microsoft account (an email address and password), the display name that shows in your Start menu is controlled by your Microsoft account settings, not by your computer. To change it, go to account.microsoft.com in a web browser on any device, sign in with your Microsoft account, and select Your info on the left.

Look for "Manage your Microsoft account" or a pencil icon next to your name. Click it and type your new name. Save the change. Within a few minutes, the new name will appear in your Start menu and Settings on your Windows computer. You do not need to restart.

If you also want to change the local account name on your computer (the one that appears in file paths), you still need to use the Settings method described above. Changing your Microsoft account name does not automatically change your local account name — they are separate.

What happens to your files and folders

Your username appears in the file path for your Documents, Downloads, Desktop, and other personal folders. When you change your username, Windows does not automatically update these paths. Your files stay in the old folder location and remain accessible — Windows knows where to find them even though the folder name has not changed.

If you want to move your files to a folder with your new username in the path, you can manually copy them to a new location. However, this is not necessary for your computer to work. Most programs will continue to find your files in their original location without any problem.

Changing your username on a work or school computer

If your computer is connected to a workplace or school network, you may not be able to change your username yourself. Network administrators often lock this setting to keep accounts organized across many computers. If you need a username change, contact your IT department or help desk — they can make the change on the server side, and it will sync to your computer.

Do not try to work around this by creating a new local account, as it may cause problems with network access and file permissions. Ask your administrator first.

Troubleshooting username changes that did not work

If you changed your username but it still shows the old name in Settings or the Start menu, try signing out completely and signing back in. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, select Sign out, wait a few seconds, and sign back in with your password. The new username should appear after you log back in.

If the old username still appears after signing out and back in, restart your computer entirely. Shut down Windows completely (not sleep mode), wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Log in again and check Settings > Accounts > Your info. If the old name persists, the change may not have saved — try the rename process again.

If you are using a Microsoft account and the name did not change after 15 minutes, sign out of your Microsoft account on your computer and sign back in. Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info, select "Sign in with a Microsoft account," sign out, then sign back in. This forces Windows to sync with your Microsoft account settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username without restarting?

For local accounts, you need to sign out and back in for the change to take effect. For Microsoft accounts, the display name change happens without restarting, but you may need to restart to see it everywhere on your computer. A full restart is the safest way to make sure the change is complete.

Will changing my username affect my password?

No. Your password stays the same. You sign in with the same password you used before, whether you changed your username or not. If you want to change your password as well, that is a separate step in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.

What if I do not remember my current username?

Open File Explorer, right-click "This PC" or "My Computer," and select Properties. Look for "Computer name" or "Full computer name" — that is your username. You can also see it on the Windows login screen, or by opening Settings > Accounts > Your info.

Can I change my username to something with spaces or special characters?

Local account usernames cannot contain spaces or most special characters like @, #, or &. Windows will reject these when you try to save. Use letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores only. Microsoft account display names can include spaces and special characters.

Does changing my username affect my Microsoft account or email?

No. Your Microsoft account email address and your Windows username are separate. Changing your Windows username does not change your email or your Microsoft account in any way. Your email stays the same for signing in and for password recovery.