Where to find the username setting in Windows 11
Your Windows 11 username lives in Settings, under the Accounts section. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then click the app that appears. Once inside, select Accounts from the left sidebar, then click Your info at the top of the list.
On the Your info page, you will see your current username displayed under your profile picture. This is the name that appears on your login screen and in the top-right corner of your taskbar. Windows 11 distinguishes between your local account name (what you see on your computer) and your Microsoft account name (if you signed in with one), so make sure you are looking at the right one before you proceed.
Key Takeaways
- Local account usernames are changed through Settings > Accounts > Your info, then clicking the "Rename your device" button.
- Microsoft account usernames cannot be changed directly in Windows — you must change them through your Microsoft account online at account.microsoft.com.
- Changing your local username does not affect your files, folders, or installed programs, but it does change the folder name in C:\Users\ on your hard drive.
- If you are signed in with a Microsoft account and want to change only the display name Windows shows, you can do that without changing your email address.
- After renaming a local account, you may need to restart your computer for the change to take full effect across all programs.
Renaming a local account on Windows 11
If you are using a local account (one that is not connected to a Microsoft email address), the rename button is on the Your info page. Look for the button labeled Rename your device — this is slightly confusing because it actually renames your user account, not your computer. Click it, type your new username in the box that appears, then click Next.
Windows will ask you to confirm the change. Click Finish, and the rename is complete. You do not need to restart when ready, but some programs may not recognize the new name until you do. If you notice any program still showing your old username, restart your computer and the change will propagate everywhere.
One important detail: Windows will create a new user folder under C:\Users\ with your new username. Your old folder remains on the hard drive but becomes inactive. Your files, documents, and installed programs stay where they are and continue to work normally — this is just a name change at the system level.
Changing a Microsoft account display name in Windows 11
If you signed into Windows 11 with a Microsoft account (using an email address and password), you have two options. The simpler one is to change only the display name that Windows shows on your computer, without touching your actual Microsoft account email or online settings.
On the Your info page, look for a button or link that says Manage your Microsoft account or Edit name. Click it, and Windows will open a small dialog where you can change the display name. Type your new name, click Next, then Finish. This change takes effect when ready on your computer.
This approach is useful if you want your computer to show a different name than your email address — for example, if your email is firstname.lastname@outlook.com but you prefer to see just "First" on your login screen. The email address itself does not change, so your Microsoft account, OneDrive, and Outlook remain connected to the same account.
Changing your Microsoft account email address online
If you want to change the actual email address tied to your Microsoft account (not just the display name Windows shows), you must do that through the Microsoft website, not through Windows Settings. Go to account.microsoft.com in your web browser and sign in with your current Microsoft account credentials.
Once logged in, click Your info on the left side, then look for the section showing your email address. You will see an option to add a new email address or change your primary email. Microsoft will send a confirmation code to your current email address to verify the change. Follow the prompts, enter the code, and confirm your new email address.
After you change your Microsoft account email online, Windows 11 will not automatically update on your computer. You may need to sign out and sign back in with your new email address, or go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and manually refresh the connection. If you have files stored in OneDrive or use Outlook, those services will also update to reflect your new email address.
What happens to your files and programs after a rename
Changing your username does not delete, move, or damage any of your files, folders, or installed programs. Everything you have saved in Documents, Downloads, Pictures, and other standard folders remains exactly where it is and continues to work normally. Programs you have installed will continue to run without any issues.
The only visible change is the folder path. If you had a folder at C:\Users\OldName\Documents, after renaming your account it will still exist at that path, but Windows will treat it as belonging to your new username. You can still access it the same way you always have — through File Explorer or through the Documents shortcut in your Start menu.
If you use cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, those services are tied to your email address or account, not to your Windows username. They will continue to sync normally after you rename your account. The same applies to email, messaging apps, and any other service that uses your Microsoft account or email to log in.
Troubleshooting a failed or stuck rename
If the rename button is grayed out or does not respond, you may not have administrator rights on your account. Right-click Settings and select Run as administrator, then try again. If that does not work, restart your computer and try the rename process once more.
If you renamed your local account but the old username still appears in some places, restart your computer. Windows caches the old name in memory, and a restart clears that cache. After restart, check Settings > Accounts > Your info again to confirm the new name is showing everywhere.
If you are trying to rename a Microsoft account and the option does not appear, make sure you are signed in with administrator rights. Some organizations or schools manage Windows computers centrally and restrict username changes. If that is the case, you will need to contact your IT department or school administrator to make the change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username without restarting Windows?
Yes, the rename takes effect when ready in Settings. However, some programs and services may still show your old username until you restart. A restart ensures the change is recognized everywhere on your system and in all installed programs.
Will changing my username affect my Microsoft account or email?
No, not unless you specifically change your Microsoft account email address online. Changing your Windows display name or local account username does not touch your Microsoft account. Your email, OneDrive, and Outlook remain connected to the same account.
What if I change my username and then want to change it back?
You can rename your account as many times as you want using the same process. Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info, click the rename button, and enter your preferred name. Each rename creates a new folder under C:\Users\, but your files remain accessible.
Can I have two usernames on the same Windows computer?
Yes. Each person who uses the computer can have their own account with their own username, files, and settings. Go to Settings > Accounts > Other people, then click Add account to create a new user account. Each account is separate and independent.
Does renaming my account change my computer's name on the network?
No. Your Windows username and your computer's network name are two different things. Renaming your user account does not change how other computers on your network see your machine. If you want to change your computer's network name, go to Settings > System > About and click Rename this PC.