The fastest way depends on your operating system
On Windows 10 or 11, you change your username through Settings in about two minutes. On a Mac, you use System Preferences and need your admin password. On Linux, the process varies by distribution but usually happens in a terminal or through system settings. The steps below cover each one — find your operating system and follow those instructions.
Before you start, know that changing your username does not affect your files or passwords. Your old username folder may stay on your hard drive, but Windows, Mac, and Linux will recognize you by your new name at login. Some programs that store settings tied to your old username may need to be reconfigured, but this is rare and usually fixable.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users open Settings, go to Accounts, select your account, and click "Rename your account" to change the display name in two minutes.
- Mac users open System Preferences, select Users & Groups, unlock the settings with their admin password, right-click their account, and choose "Advanced Options" to edit the username.
- Linux users typically open a terminal and run a command like usermod -l newname oldname, though some distributions offer a graphical settings panel instead.
- Your files, passwords, and installed programs stay intact after a username change — only the name that appears at login and in file paths changes.
- If you are logged in as the account you want to rename, you may need to restart your computer or log out and back in for the change to take effect.
Changing your username on Windows 10 or 11
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click the Accounts icon on the left side of the window. You will see your current account listed under "Your info" at the top.
Click "Rename your account" — it appears as a blue link below your current username. Type your new username in the box that appears and click "Next." Windows will ask you to confirm; click "Finish" and you are done. The change takes effect when ready, though you may see your old username briefly in some places until you restart your computer.
If you do not see a "Rename your account" option, you may be using a Microsoft account instead of a local account. Microsoft accounts are tied to your email address, and you cannot change the username the same way. Instead, you would need to change your Microsoft account display name through the Microsoft website, which is a different process.
Changing your username on macOS
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Preferences" (or "System Settings" on newer Macs). Click "Users & Groups." You will see a lock icon in the bottom-left corner — click it and enter your admin password to unlock the settings.
Right-click your account name in the list on the left and select "Advanced Options." You will see a field labeled "Short name" — this is your actual username. Type your new username here. The "Full name" field above it is just your display name and does not affect your login. Click "OK" when you are finished.
Log out of your account and log back in using your new username. Your files and settings will be exactly where you left them. If you see an error message about permissions after logging back in, restart your computer — this usually fixes the issue.
Changing your username on Linux
The method depends on your Linux distribution. Ubuntu, Fedora, and most others offer a graphical settings panel. Open your system settings, look for "Users" or "Accounts," click your account, and look for an option to edit your username or "Short name." You will need your admin password to make changes.
If your distribution does not have a graphical option, or if you prefer the command line, open a terminal. Type the following command, replacing oldname with your current username and newname with what you want:
sudo usermod -l newname oldname
Press Enter and type your admin password when prompted. The change takes effect when ready. If you are currently logged in as the account you just renamed, you will need to log out and log back in using your new username.
What happens to your files and folders after you change your username
Your files stay in the same place and remain accessible. On Windows and Mac, the system keeps track of who owns each file by a hidden identifier, not by the username itself. Changing your username does not change that identifier, so you keep full access to everything.
Your old username folder may still exist on your hard drive (usually at C:\Users\oldname on Windows or /Users/oldname on Mac). You can delete it if you want to free up space, but it is safe to leave it there. Some programs store settings in folders named after your old username, and those programs may not find those settings after you rename. This is uncommon, but if a program stops working correctly, reinstalling it usually fixes the problem.
Troubleshooting: what to do if something goes wrong
If you cannot find the rename option on Windows, you may be using a Microsoft account. Check by going to Settings > Accounts > Your info and looking for an email address next to your name. If you see one, you have a Microsoft account, and you will need to change your display name through your Microsoft account settings online instead.
On Mac, if you get a permission error after renaming, restart your computer. If the error persists, you may need to repair your disk permissions. Open Disk Utility (in Applications > Utilities), select your hard drive, and click "First Aid." Let it run completely before restarting.
On Linux, if the command does not work, make sure you typed it correctly and that you have admin privileges. If you are still logged in as the account you renamed, log out first, then log back in with your new username before trying again.
When you might want to create a new account instead
If you want to change your username but keep your old account and files separate, creating a new account is simpler than renaming. This is useful if multiple people use the same computer and you want to keep your files private, or if you want to test something without affecting your main account.
On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Other people and click "Add account." On Mac, go to System Preferences > Users & Groups, click the lock to unlock, then click the plus sign to add a new account. On Linux, open a terminal and type sudo adduser newusername. You can then log in as the new account while keeping your old one intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my username affect my passwords?
No. Your passwords are stored separately from your username and will work the same way after you rename. You log in with your new username and your existing password.
Can I change my username if I forgot my password?
On Windows and Mac, you need to be logged in or know your admin password to rename an account. If you have forgotten your password, you will need to reset it first through your account recovery options. On Linux, you can change another user's username from the command line if you have sudo access, even if that user is not logged in.
Do I need to restart my computer after changing my username?
Not always, but it is a good idea. The change takes effect when ready on most systems, but restarting ensures that all programs and services recognize your new username. If you see your old username anywhere after renaming, restart and it should disappear.
What if a program stops working after I change my username?
Some programs store settings in folders named after your old username. Reinstalling the program usually fixes this, as it will create new settings folders with your new username. If reinstalling does not work, check the program's settings or preferences to see if you can point it to your old settings folder manually.
Can I change my username back to what it was before?
Yes. Follow the same steps you used to rename it the first time, but type your old username instead. There is no limit to how many times you can rename your account.