What you're changing when you rename your PC

Your PC has two separate names that can be confusing. The user account name is what appears on your login screen and in the top-right corner of Windows — this is the name you use to sign in. The computer name (also called the device name or hostname) is what your PC is called on your home network — this is what shows up when other devices search for your computer to share files or printers.

You can change either one independently. Changing your user account name affects only your login and profile folder. Changing your computer name affects how other devices on your network see your PC, but does not touch your login process. Most people want to change the user account name, but if you are setting up a home network or connecting to a workplace network, you might need to change the computer name instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Your user account name (what you log in with) and your computer name (what appears on your network) are separate and can be changed independently.
  • Changing your user account name requires you to create a new account, transfer your files, and delete the old one — a process that takes 15 to 30 minutes.
  • Changing your computer name takes two minutes in Settings and requires a restart, but does not affect your login or files.
  • If you forgot your password, you cannot change your account name without resetting it first through your Microsoft account or a password reset disk.

How to change your user account name

Changing the name you log in with is more involved than changing the computer name because Windows stores your account name in multiple places. The safest method is to create a new account with the name you want, move your files over, and then delete the old account. This takes about 20 to 30 minutes but avoids the risk of breaking file permissions or shortcuts.

First, create a new local account. Open Settings (press Windows key + I), go to Accounts, then select Family & other users. Click Add account, then choose I don't have this person's sign-in information, then Add a user without a Microsoft account. Type the new name you want, create a password, and click Next. Once the account is created, sign out of your current account and sign into the new one to make sure it works.

Next, move your files. Sign back into your old account. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[YourOldAccountName]. Select all your files (Ctrl+A), copy them (Ctrl+C), then navigate to C:\Users\[YourNewAccountName] and paste them (Ctrl+V). This moves your documents, pictures, downloads, and desktop items. The process may take several minutes if you have a lot of files.

Finally, delete the old account. Sign into the new account, open Settings, go to Accounts, select Family & other users, click on your old account name, and choose Delete. Windows will ask if you want to keep or delete the account's files — choose Delete since you have already moved them. Your new account name is now your primary login.

How to change your computer name

Changing your computer name is much faster and does not require creating a new account. This name is what appears when you connect to a home network or share files with other devices. Open Settings (Windows key + I), go to System, then select About. Click Rename this PC, type your new computer name, and click Next. Windows will ask you to restart — choose Restart now, and your computer name will change after the restart.

Computer names have a few rules: they can be up to 15 characters, can include letters and numbers, and can use hyphens but not spaces or special characters like @ or #. If you are connecting to a workplace network, check with your IT department before changing the name, because some networks assign names automatically and changing them can disconnect you from shared resources.

What happens to your files and programs

If you change only your computer name, nothing happens to your files or programs — they stay exactly where they are. Your login process does not change, and your programs continue to work normally.

If you change your user account name using the method above, your files move with you to the new account. However, some older programs may not recognize the new file path and might need to be reinstalled. Windows shortcuts usually update automatically, but if you notice a program is looking for files in the old account folder, you can either reinstall the program or manually update its file path in the program's settings.

If you are using a Microsoft account instead of a local account

If you sign in with your Microsoft account (your email address), you cannot change your login name directly in Windows. Your login name is tied to your Microsoft account email, and changing it requires going to account.microsoft.com, not your PC settings.

To change your Microsoft account name, go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, select Your info, then choose Edit name. Type your new name and click Save. This name will update on your PC within a few minutes. Note that this changes the display name (what appears in Settings and the Start menu), not your email address — your email address stays the same for signing in.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you see an error saying the name is already in use, another account on your PC already has that name. Choose a different name or delete the duplicate account first. If you cannot delete your old account because Windows says it is still in use, make sure you have signed out completely and that no programs from the old account are still running in the background.

If you changed your computer name but it did not take effect, you may not have restarted yet. Some network devices cache the old name for a few hours even after you restart — if other devices still see the old name, wait a few hours or restart those devices as well. If you changed your user account name and now a program cannot find your files, try reinstalling the program or checking the program's settings to update the file path manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my user account name without creating a new account?

Not safely in modern Windows. Older versions had a rename option, but current versions of Windows store the account name in too many places for a straightforward rename to work reliably. Creating a new account and moving files is the supported method and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.

Will changing my computer name disconnect me from my home network?

No. Your computer name is just a label other devices use to find you on the network. Changing it does not affect your internet connection or your ability to access shared files and printers. Other devices may take a few minutes to recognize the new name.

What if I forgot my password and want to change my account name?

You will need to reset your password first. If you use a Microsoft account, go to account.live.com and select I forgot my password. If you use a local account, you can use a password reset disk if you created one, or you can create a new local account and transfer your files to it instead.

Does changing my account name affect my Microsoft account or email?

If you sign in with a Microsoft account, changing your display name in Windows does not change your email address — you will still sign in with the same email. If you use a local account, changing your account name does not create or affect any Microsoft account.

Can I have two user accounts with the same name?

No. Windows requires each account on your PC to have a unique name. If you try to create an account with a name that already exists, you will get an error message and need to choose a different name.