The quickest way depends on whether you use Windows or Mac
On Windows 10 or 11, you change your username through Settings by navigating to Accounts, then selecting your account and clicking "Rename your account". On a Mac, you go to System Settings, select General, then Users & Groups (or Users), unlock the settings with your password, right-click your account, and choose "Advanced Options" to edit the full name. Both take about two minutes and do not require a restart, though Windows may ask you to sign out and back in.
The method you use depends partly on whether you have a local account (stored only on your computer) or a Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac). Local accounts are simpler to rename. If you use a Microsoft account or Apple ID, the process is slightly different because your account is tied to Microsoft or Apple's servers, and changing the name on your computer does not automatically change it everywhere you use that account.
Key Takeaways
- Windows 10 and 11 users can rename a local account in Settings under Accounts without restarting the computer.
- Mac users rename their account through System Settings under Users & Groups by unlocking the panel and selecting Advanced Options.
- If you use a Microsoft account on Windows or an Apple ID on Mac, the computer username and your online account name are separate and change independently.
- After renaming, your user folder on the hard drive keeps its old name, but Windows and Mac display the new name everywhere in the system.
Changing your username on Windows 10 or 11
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click on "Accounts" in the left sidebar. On the right side, you will see "Your info" at the top — this shows your current account name. Click "Rename your account" and type the new name you want. Click "Next", then "Finish". Windows will update the name when ready, and you will see it reflected in the Start menu, login screen, and File Explorer.
If you are using a Microsoft account instead of a local account, the process is the same on your computer, but the name change only affects how your account appears on this specific PC. Your Microsoft account name (the email address you use to sign in) stays the same across all devices and services like Outlook, OneDrive, and Xbox. To change your Microsoft account name itself, you would need to visit account.microsoft.com on the web.
If you forget your password or cannot access Settings, you can also rename your account from the Command Prompt by running it as administrator, typing "wmic useraccount where name='oldusername' rename newusername", and pressing Enter. This method works on local accounts only.
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" (on older macOS versions, this may appear as a separate System Preferences pane). You will see a lock icon at the bottom of the window — click it and enter your password to unlock the settings. Right-click your account in the list on the left and select "Advanced Options". In the dialog that appears, you can edit the "Full Name" field, which is what appears in the login screen and system menus. Click "OK" to save the change.
If you use an Apple ID to sign in to your Mac, changing the full name in Advanced Options only changes how your account appears on this computer. Your actual Apple ID (usually an email address) remains unchanged across iCloud, the App Store, and other Apple services. To change your Apple ID itself, you would visit appleid.apple.com on the web.
On Mac, you can also change the "Account name" field in Advanced Options, which is the short name used for your home folder and terminal commands. This is more technical and rarely necessary unless you are managing multiple accounts or working in the terminal. Most users only need to change the Full Name.
What happens to your files and folders after you rename
When you rename your account on Windows or Mac, your user folder (the one containing your Documents, Desktop, Downloads, and other personal files) keeps its original name. On Windows, this folder is usually located at C:\Users\oldusername, and on Mac it is /Users/oldusername. The system continues to recognize this folder as yours even though your account name has changed, so all your files remain accessible and nothing breaks.
Some programs that store settings or data in your user folder may take a moment to recognize the change, but modern software handles this automatically. If you notice a program is not finding your files after renaming, restarting the program or restarting your computer usually fixes it. You do not need to manually move or copy anything.
When you might need to rename your account
Common reasons to rename your account include fixing a typo in your original username, changing from a generic name like "User1" to something more personal, or setting up a shared computer where the account name should match the person using it. If you are selling or giving away your computer, you might rename the account to match the new owner, though creating a new account for them is often cleaner.
If you are trying to hide your account or make it private, renaming alone does not do that — you would need to set a password or adjust user permissions. If you are trying to remove an account entirely, that is a different process (deleting the account rather than renaming it), and you should back up any files first.
Troubleshooting if the rename does not work
If you cannot access Settings on Windows, make sure you are signed in with an administrator account. Standard user accounts cannot rename themselves — only an administrator can do it. If you are the only account on the computer, you are already an administrator. If you are not sure, right-click Settings and select "Run as administrator".
On Mac, if the lock icon does not unlock with your password, you may not have permission to edit this account. Try restarting your Mac and trying again, or contact your system administrator if this is a work computer. If you have forgotten your password entirely, you can reset it using your Apple ID or a recovery key, but that is a separate process.
If you renamed your account but the change is not showing up everywhere (for example, in a particular program), try signing out and signing back in, or restart your computer. Some programs cache the username in memory and do not update until you restart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will renaming my account affect my passwords or login?
No. Your password stays the same, and you will continue to sign in the same way. On Windows with a Microsoft account or Mac with an Apple ID, you sign in with your email address, which does not change when you rename your account on the computer. The rename only changes the display name.
Can I rename my account if I forgot my password?
No, you need to sign in to access Settings or System Settings. If you have forgotten your password, you will need to reset it first using your Microsoft account recovery options (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac) before you can rename your account.
Does renaming my account change my Microsoft account or Apple ID?
No. Renaming your account on your computer only changes how it appears on that specific device. Your Microsoft account email or Apple ID remains the same across all your devices and services. To change those, you would need to visit the web portal for each service.
What if I share my computer with other people?
Each person should have their own account on the computer. You can only rename the account you are currently signed in to. If someone else uses the computer, they have their own account with their own username, and you cannot rename it unless you have administrator permissions.
Can I change my username back to what it was before?
Yes, the rename process works the same way in reverse. Go back to Settings (Windows) or System Settings (Mac) and rename your account to whatever you want, including the old name if you change your mind.