Change your local account username directly in Windows Settings

To change the username on a local Windows account, open Settings, go to Accounts, and select "Your info" on the left. Click the "Rename your account" button, type the new name you want, and click Next. Windows will ask you to confirm — click Finish, and the change takes effect when ready. You do not need to restart your computer, though some programs may not show the new name until you sign out and back in.

A local account is one stored on your computer itself, not connected to a Microsoft account or a workplace domain. If you are not sure which type you have, Settings will tell you: if it shows an email address under your name, you have a Microsoft account. If it shows only a username, you have a local account. You must be signed in as an administrator or know the administrator password to rename any account on the computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, select Accounts, then "Your info", and click "Rename your account" to change a local account username in Windows.
  • The change takes effect right away without restarting your computer, though some programs may show the old name until you close and reopen them.
  • Your files, folders, and program settings stay exactly where they are — only the display name changes.
  • If your account shows an email address in Settings, you have a Microsoft account, which requires a different process to change the name.
  • You must be signed in as an administrator or know the administrator password to rename any account on the computer.

Step-by-step: the Settings method

This is the fastest way for most people. Press the Windows key, type "Settings", and press Enter. On the left side, click "Accounts". Click "Your info" at the top of the left menu.

Under your account name and picture, you will see a blue link that says "Rename your account". Click it. A text box will appear with your current username highlighted. Delete it and type the new name. Click Next. Windows will show a confirmation screen — click Finish. That is all. The new name appears in the Start menu and File Explorer within seconds.

What happens to your files and folders

Your username change does not move or rename any of your files. The folder path stays the same on the hard drive — Windows still knows where everything is. If you open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users, you will still see the old folder name there. This is normal and does not cause problems.

Programs that store settings in your user folder (which is most of them) will continue to work. They look for your user folder by its internal ID, not by the display name you just changed. Email, browser bookmarks, game saves, and document locations all remain untouched.

Renaming an account you do not use every day

If you want to rename a different local account on the computer — one you do not currently sign into — you need administrator access. Open Settings, go to Accounts, and click "Other people" on the left. Find the account you want to rename and click it. Click "Rename" and follow the same process.

If you do not have administrator rights on the computer, you will not see a Rename button. You will need to ask whoever set up the computer to make the change, or sign in as an administrator account first. Some computers have only one administrator account, so you may need that person's password to proceed.

If you have a Microsoft account instead

If Settings shows an email address under your name, you have a Microsoft account, not a local account. Changing the display name for a Microsoft account works differently. In Settings under "Your info", look for "Manage your Microsoft account" — this link takes you to Microsoft's website where you can change your display name. The change syncs back to your computer within a few minutes.

Your Microsoft account username (the email address) does not change this way — only the display name that appears in Windows. If you need to change the email address itself, you must do that through Microsoft's account recovery and security settings, which is a separate process. The display name is what shows in the Start menu and Settings, while the email address is what you use to sign in.

Troubleshooting: the Rename button does not appear

If you do not see a "Rename your account" button in Settings, check whether you are signed in as an administrator. Right-click the Start button, select "System", and look at the top of the window. If it says "Administrator" next to your name, you have the right permissions. If not, you need to sign in as an administrator account or ask the computer owner to make the change for you.

On some computers managed by a workplace or school, the Rename button may not appear at all. These are domain accounts, not local accounts, and they are controlled by a network administrator. You would need to contact your IT department or help desk to change the name. Domain accounts are typically used on computers that connect to a company or school network.

Finding your current username if you are unsure

You cannot forget your username after changing it — you just typed it and confirmed it. But if someone else renamed your account and you do not remember what they changed it to, open Settings and go to Accounts > Your info. The current username appears right at the top of the screen under your profile picture.

You can also open File Explorer, click "This PC" on the left, and look at the path bar — it shows your current username. Another way is to right-click the Start button, select "System", and look at the top of the window where it displays your account name and type.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my username affect my password?

No. Your password stays exactly the same. You sign in with the same password you used before. Only the display name changes — the thing you see in the Start menu and Settings, not the thing you type to log in.

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Yes. Go back to Settings > Accounts > Your info, click "Rename your account", and type the old name. The process is identical. You can change it as many times as you want.

Will my email or online accounts change if I rename my local account?

No. Your local account username is separate from your email, social media, or any other online accounts. Changing it does not affect anything outside your computer. Those accounts keep their own usernames and passwords.

What if the computer is shared with other people?

Each person has their own account with their own username. Changing your username does not affect anyone else's account or their files. Everyone signs in separately with their own username and password.

Do I need to restart Windows after changing my username?

No. The change takes effect when ready. Some programs may show the old name until you close and reopen them, but you do not need to restart the computer.