The fastest way depends on whether you use Windows or Mac

On Windows 10 or 11, you change your username through Settings in about two minutes. On a Mac, the process is slightly different and lives in System Settings. Both let you change the name that appears on your login screen and in your file folders, though the steps are not identical. The method you use also depends on whether you have a local account (stored only on your computer) or a Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac) that syncs across devices.

If you share your computer with other people, changing your username affects only your own account — other users keep their names and files intact. You will need your current password to make the change, and you should have administrator rights on the computer.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and click "Rename your account" to change the display name in 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 change the short name.
  • Your username and display name are different things — changing one does not automatically change the other on either system.
  • Changing your username does not affect your files, folders, or installed programs, though the file path may look different in some places.
  • If you use a Microsoft account on Windows or an Apple ID on Mac, you may need to sign out and back in for the change to take full effect.

Changing your username on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the app when it appears. Go to Accounts on the left side, then select "Your info" at the top. You will see your current account name displayed with a blue "Rename your account" button underneath it. Click that button, type your new name in the box that appears, and click "Next." Windows will ask you to confirm — click "Finish" and you are done.

This changes your display name, which is what shows on the login screen and in the Start menu. If you use a Microsoft account, you may see a message saying the change will take effect the next time you sign in. Sign out and back in to see the new name everywhere. If you use a local account (one created directly on your computer without a Microsoft account), the change takes effect when ready.

If you need to change the username folder — the short name Windows uses for your file path — that is a separate, more involved process. Most people do not need to do this. If you do, you will need to create a new local account with the name you want, move your files to it, and delete the old account. This is worth doing only if you are having specific problems with programs that read your username from the file path.

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 will see a lock icon at the bottom of the window — click it and enter your password to unlock the panel. Your account will be highlighted in the list on the left. Right-click it and select "Advanced Options."

In the Advanced Options window, you will see two fields: "Full name" and "Account name." The Full name is what displays on your login screen and in menus — change this to your new display name. The Account name is the short name used in your file path (like /Users/accountname) — this one is harder to change and most people should leave it alone. Type your new full name, click "OK," and the change takes effect when ready.

If you use an Apple ID on your Mac, you may need to sign out and back in for the change to show up everywhere in the system. Go to System Settings > General > Users & Groups, click your account, and look for a "Sign Out" button if you are signed in with an Apple ID.

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

Your files stay where they are. Changing your display name does not move, delete, or rename any of your documents, photos, downloads, or anything else in your folders. Programs you have installed continue to work normally. Shortcuts and bookmarks remain intact.

The only place you might notice a difference is in file paths shown in Finder (Mac) or File Explorer (Windows). On Windows, if you changed only the display name, the file path still shows your old username folder. On Mac, the file path uses the account name, which usually does not change when you update your full name, so paths look the same.

If you cannot find the rename option

On Windows, if the "Rename your account" button does not appear, you may not have administrator rights. Ask whoever set up the computer to give you admin access, or contact your IT department if this is a work computer. Some workplaces lock down this setting.

On Mac, if the lock icon at the bottom of Users & Groups does not unlock when you enter your password, you are not an administrator on this account. You will need to use a different account that has admin rights, or ask the person who set up the computer to make the change for you.

Changing your username on a work or school computer

If your computer is managed by an employer or school, you may not be able to change your username yourself. Work and school computers often use network accounts that are controlled by IT departments. Trying to change the name may cause problems with email, file sharing, or network access.

If you need a different username on a work or school computer, contact your IT support or help desk. They can tell you whether the change is possible and make it for you if it is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username log me out of my programs?

No. Programs stay signed in and continue working. You might need to sign back into your email or cloud storage accounts (like OneDrive, Google Drive, or iCloud) if they are tied to your username, but this is rare and usually happens automatically.

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

Yes. Follow the same steps and type your old name. There is no waiting period or limit on how many times you can change it.

Does changing my username affect my password?

No. Your password stays the same. You use the same password to log in after the name change.

What if I share my computer with someone else?

Changing your username affects only your account. Other people who use the computer keep their own usernames and files. Each person can change their own name by following these steps on their own account.

Do I need to restart my computer after changing my username?

On Windows with a local account, no restart is needed. On Windows with a Microsoft account, or on any Mac, sign out and back in to see the change everywhere. A restart is not required but will also work.