Where to find the username change option

The location of the username change option depends on what you're changing. If you mean your Windows or Mac login name (the name that appears when you start your computer), you'll find it in System Settings or System Preferences. If you mean your online account username (for email, social media, banking, or other websites), you'll look in that service's account settings, usually under "Profile" or "Account".

Start by identifying which username you want to change. Your computer login name is what appears on the Windows sign-in screen or Mac login screen. Your online usernames are what you type to log into specific websites or apps. They're often different from each other.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows usernames are changed through Settings > Accounts > Your Info, while Mac usernames require System Preferences > Users & Groups and your administrator password.
  • Online account usernames are changed in each service's account settings, usually under Profile or Account, and the exact steps vary by website.
  • Changing your computer login name does not automatically change your email address or online account usernames.
  • Some services lock you out of username changes for a set period after you change it, so check the rules before you start.
  • You may need to sign out and back in, or restart your computer, for a Windows login name change to take full effect.

Changing your Windows login name

On Windows 10 or Windows 11, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click Accounts on the left side, then click Your Info at the top. You'll see your current username displayed. Click the button that says Rename your account and type the new name you want.

Windows will ask you to confirm the change. Click Next, then Finish. You may need to sign out and sign back in for the change to appear everywhere on your computer. Some programs that were already running may not recognize the new name until you restart your computer.

If you're using a Microsoft account (one that syncs across devices), changing your Windows login name does not change your Microsoft account email address. Those are separate. Your Microsoft account email stays the same unless you change it through Microsoft's website.

Changing your Mac login name

On Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs). Click Users & Groups. You'll see a list of user accounts on the left. Click your account name, then click the lock icon at the bottom and enter your administrator password to unlock the settings.

Right-click your account name in the list and select Advanced Options. You'll see a field labeled Full Name and another labeled Account name. The Account name is your login name. Change it to what you want, then click OK. You'll need to sign out and sign back in for the change to take effect.

Changing your Mac login name can affect file permissions and some applications that reference your old username. If you see errors after the change, restart your Mac. If problems persist, you may need to update permissions in those applications' settings.

Changing your email or social media username

For Gmail, sign in to your account, click your profile picture in the top-right corner, then click Manage your Google Account. Go to the Personal Info tab. You can change your display name (what others see), but your Gmail address itself cannot be changed. If you want a different email address, you'll need to create a new Gmail account.

For Facebook, click the downward arrow in the top-right corner and select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Click Personal Information on the left. Under Username, click Edit and type your new username. Facebook lets you change your username once every 60 days. After you change it, your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days.

For Twitter (now called X), click your profile picture, select Settings and privacy, then Account. Under Account information, click Username and type the new one. X allows username changes at any time, but some usernames may be reserved or unavailable.

For Instagram, go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), and select Settings. Tap Edit profile and change the username field. Instagram allows one username change every 14 days.

Changing your banking or work account username

Log into your bank's website or app. Look for a section called Settings, Security, Profile, or Account. Most banks have a Login ID or Username field that you can edit. Click Edit or Change, type your new username, and confirm the change.

Some banks require you to answer security questions or enter a code sent to your phone before allowing a username change. This is normal and protects your account. Write down your new username somewhere safe before you log out, because you'll need it the next time you sign in.

For work accounts, contact your IT department or help desk. Most companies don't let employees change their own usernames because the username is tied to email, file permissions, and security systems. Your IT team will tell you whether a change is possible and what the process is.

What happens after you change your username

If you changed your computer login name, any shortcuts or file paths that reference your old username may break. Windows and Mac usually update these automatically, but some older programs might not. If a program stops working after you change your login name, restart your computer. If it still doesn't work, check the program's settings to see if it has a username field you need to update.

If you changed an online username, make sure you remember the new one. Write it down or store it in a password manager. Some services send you a confirmation email when you change your username, so check your inbox. If you changed your username on a service you use to log into other apps (like using Google to sign into other websites), those apps will continue to work — they use your email address, not your username.

If you changed your username on a social media account, your old profile URL will no longer work. Any links people shared to your profile will break. Your followers will still be able to find you by searching your name, but direct links to your old username will show a "not found" error.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

On Windows and Mac, yes — just go back to the same settings and change it again. For online services, it depends on the platform. Facebook lets you reclaim your old username after 30 days. Gmail, Twitter, and Instagram allow you to change your username whenever you want (subject to their rate limits), so you can switch back anytime. Some services may not allow you to reuse a username you've already used.

Will changing my username log me out of my account?

On your computer, yes — you'll need to sign back in with your new username. On online services, usually no. Most websites keep you logged in after you change your username. However, some banking and work systems may log you out as a security measure, requiring you to sign back in with your new username to confirm the change.

What if the username I want is already taken?

Try adding numbers or underscores to make it unique. Most services show you whether a username is available before you confirm the change. If the one you want is taken and the service doesn't let you reserve it, you'll need to choose a different one. On some platforms like Twitter, you can request a username if it belongs to an inactive account, but this is rare.

Does changing my username change my password?

No. Your password stays the same. You'll use your new username with your existing password the next time you log in. If you want to change your password too, do that separately in your account security settings.

What if I forgot my new username after I changed it?

For online accounts, most services let you sign in with your email address instead of your username. Try that first. If you're locked out of your computer because you forgot your Windows or Mac login name, you can use your password reset disk (if you created one) or contact your IT department or Apple Support for help recovering access.