The fastest way depends on whether you use Windows or Mac

On Windows, you change your username through Settings, and the process takes about five minutes. On Mac, you do it through System Settings and it takes roughly the same time. Both systems let you change the name that appears when you log in, though the technical name behind the scenes (called the account folder name) stays the same on most machines — and that is usually fine for everyday use.

The reason to change your username is usually practical: you want something shorter to type, you inherited a computer with someone else's name on it, or you straightforward prefer a different name now. Changing it does not affect your files, your passwords, or your programs — they all stay where they are.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and click "Rename your account" to change the display name in about two minutes.
  • On Mac, open System Settings > General > Users & Groups, unlock the panel with your password, right-click your account, and select "Advanced Options" to edit the full name.
  • The display name (what shows on the login screen) and the account folder name are different things; most people only need to change the display name.
  • You must be logged in as an administrator to make this change on either system.
  • After you change your username, you may need to restart your computer for the change to appear everywhere.

Changing your username on Windows 10 or 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the app that appears. Go to Accounts on the left side, then click "Your info" at the top. You will see your current account name displayed. Click the button that says "Rename your account" and type the new name you want. Click "Next," then "Finish." The change takes effect when ready, though some programs may not show the new name until you restart your computer.

If you do not see a "Rename your account" button, you may be using an older version of Windows or a work computer that is locked down by your employer. On Windows 10, you can also right-click the Start button, select "System," then go to "About" and look for "Rename this PC" — but that changes the computer's network name, not your personal username, so use the Settings method above instead.

Changing your username on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select "System Settings." Click "General" in the sidebar, then scroll down and click "Users & Groups." You may see a lock icon at the bottom of the window — if you do, click it and enter your password to unlock the settings. Right-click your account name in the list on the left and select "Advanced Options." In the window that opens, you can edit the "Full Name" field to whatever you want. Click "OK" and close System Settings. The change appears on your login screen the next time you restart.

On older Macs running macOS Monterey or earlier, the path is slightly different: open System Preferences instead of System Settings, then click "Users & Groups." The rest of the steps are the same. If you do not see your account in the list, you may not have administrator permissions — ask whoever set up the computer to make the change for you.

The difference between display name and account folder name

When you change your username through Settings or System Settings, you are changing the display name — the name that shows on your login screen and in menus. Behind the scenes, your computer also has an account folder name, which is the name of the folder that holds all your files. On Windows, this is usually something like "C:\Users\YourName". On Mac, it is usually "/Users/YourName".

For most people, you do not need to change the account folder name. Your files, programs, and settings all work fine with the old folder name even if your display name changes. However, if you want to change the folder name itself (which is more complicated and requires more steps), you will need to create a new administrator account, transfer your files, and delete the old account. Most people should skip this and just change the display name, which is what the steps above do.

What happens to your files and programs after you change your username

Your files stay exactly where they are. Programs continue to work. Your passwords do not change. Shortcuts on your desktop still point to the right places. The only thing that changes is what name appears when you log in and in your user menu.

Some programs may take a moment to recognize the new name — you might see the old username in a program's settings or in file paths for a little while. Restarting your computer usually fixes this. If you use cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or iCloud, those services do not care what your local username is, so they keep working without any action on your part.

Troubleshooting: what to do if you cannot change your username

If you do not see the rename option on Windows, you may be using a Microsoft account instead of a local account. With a Microsoft account, you change your name through your Microsoft account settings online, not through your computer. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and look for "Your info" or "Edit profile" to change the name associated with your account. The change syncs to your computer within a few hours.

On Mac, if the Users & Groups panel is grayed out or locked and you cannot unlock it, you do not have administrator permissions. You will need to ask the person who set up the computer to make the change, or you can create a new administrator account if you have access to the recovery mode (hold Command and R while restarting). If you are on a work computer, your IT department may have locked down username changes — contact them to ask if it is possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username log me out of everything?

No. You stay logged in, and your session continues. You may need to restart your computer for the new name to show up everywhere, but you will not lose any open files or need to re-enter passwords.

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

Yes, anytime. Just follow the same steps and type the old name. There is no limit to how many times you can change it.

Does changing my username affect my Wi-Fi password or email?

No. Your Wi-Fi password is stored separately and does not depend on your username. Your email account is also separate — it stays the same no matter what your computer username is.

What if I share my computer with other people?

Each person has their own account with their own username. Changing your username only affects your account and does not touch anyone else's. Other people will still see their own names when they log in.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my new username?

On Windows, you can use spaces and most characters. On Mac, spaces are allowed in the display name but some special characters may cause problems. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens if you want to be safe, though for the display name either system is fairly flexible.