Change your HP username through Settings
On most HP computers running Windows 10 or Windows 11, you change your username by opening Settings, navigating to Accounts, and editing your account details directly. The process takes about five minutes and does not require a restart, though you will need to sign out and back in to see the change take effect.
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select the Settings app. Go to Accounts in the left sidebar, then select Your info. At the top of the page, you will see your current username. Click Rename your account and type your new username in the box that appears. Click Next, then Finish. Sign out of your account and sign back in to confirm the change.
If you do not see a Rename your account button, your account may be a Microsoft account rather than a local account. Microsoft accounts have additional restrictions on renaming, and the process differs slightly — see the section below on Microsoft accounts.
Key Takeaways
- Local accounts on HP computers can be renamed through Settings > Accounts > Your info > Rename your account in about five minutes.
- Microsoft accounts have stricter rules: you can change the display name but not the username itself without creating a new account.
- You must sign out and sign back in after renaming for the change to appear everywhere on your computer.
- If you forget your password during this process, you will need to use a password reset disk or another administrator account to regain access.
Renaming a Microsoft account versus a local account
HP computers can use two types of accounts: local accounts, which exist only on your computer, and Microsoft accounts, which are tied to your Microsoft email address and sync across devices. The renaming process differs between them because Microsoft accounts are linked to your email login.
If your account is a Microsoft account, you cannot change the username itself — that is the email address you use to sign in, and changing it requires creating a new Microsoft account. What you can change is your display name, which is what appears on your Start menu and in Windows. Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info, and look for Manage your Microsoft account. Click that link, sign in to your Microsoft account online, go to Your info, and select Edit name. Change your display name there and save.
To check which type of account you have, open Settings > Accounts > Your info. If you see an email address under your name, it is a Microsoft account. If you see only a username, it is a local account.
What happens to your files and programs after you rename
Renaming your account does not move or delete any of your files, programs, or settings. Everything in your Documents, Desktop, Downloads, and other folders stays exactly where it is. Your installed programs continue to work. The only change is the name that appears when you sign in and on your Start menu.
The folder path on your computer may still show your old username if you renamed a local account that was created before Windows 10. For example, if your old username was "Sarah" and you rename to "Sarah Chen," your user folder might still be called C:\Users\Sarah. This does not affect how your account works, but if you need the folder name to match your new username, you will need to rename the folder manually through File Explorer — right-click the folder, select Rename, and type the new name.
Renaming an account when you have forgotten the password
If you cannot remember your password, you cannot sign in to change your username. On a local account, you have two options: use a password reset disk if you created one before, or use another administrator account on the same computer to reset the password.
If you have another administrator account, sign into that account, open Settings > Accounts > Other people, find the account you need to reset, and click it. Select Reset password. Windows will ask you to answer security questions you set up when you created the account. If you can answer them, you can set a new password and then sign into that account to rename it.
If you do not have another administrator account and did not create a password reset disk, you will need to reset your computer. This erases all your files and programs, so it should be your last option. Before doing this, contact HP Support or a local computer repair shop — they may be able to help you recover access without erasing everything.
Renaming a guest account or a child account
Guest accounts and child accounts (set up through Family settings) have limited renaming options. A guest account cannot be renamed at all — it is a temporary account designed to let someone use your computer without a permanent profile. If you need a permanent account for someone, create a new local or Microsoft account instead.
Child accounts can be renamed, but only through the parent account. The parent must go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other people, select the child's account, and click Edit. From there, you can change the display name. The child cannot rename their own account.
Troubleshooting: when the rename button does not appear
If you open Settings > Accounts > Your info and do not see a Rename your account button, your account is likely a Microsoft account, or your computer is managed by an organization. Microsoft accounts require the process described above (changing the display name through your Microsoft account online). Managed accounts — common on work or school computers — cannot be renamed by the user at all.
If you are unsure whether your account is managed, look at Settings > Accounts > Your info. If you see text that says "This device is managed by your organization" or similar language, contact your IT department or network administrator. They control account settings on managed devices.
If you see a Microsoft account email but no rename option, try signing out completely, waiting 10 seconds, and signing back in. Sometimes the Settings page needs to refresh. If that does not work, restart your computer and try again.
Changing your username on an older HP computer running Windows 7 or Windows 8
Older HP computers running Windows 7 or Windows 8 use a different process. Open the Control Panel (search for "Control Panel" in the Start menu), select User Accounts, then Manage another account. Select the account you want to rename, click Change the account name, type the new name, and click Rename.
Windows 7 and 8 are no longer supported by Microsoft, meaning they no longer receive security updates. If you are still using one of these systems, consider upgrading to Windows 10 or 11 for security reasons — older systems are more vulnerable to viruses and malware.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my username affect my email or Microsoft account?
No. If you have a local account, changing your username does not touch your email. If you have a Microsoft account, changing your display name does not change your email address — that remains your login. Your email and Microsoft account stay the same either way.
Can I change my username to something with special characters or spaces?
Windows allows spaces and most punctuation in display names, but local account usernames have restrictions — they cannot contain certain characters like asterisks, question marks, or forward slashes. If you try to use a forbidden character, Windows will tell you and ask you to pick a different one.
Do I need to restart my computer after renaming my account?
You do not need to restart, but you do need to sign out and sign back in. After you rename your account and click Finish, sign out (click the Start menu, select your account icon, and click Sign out). Then sign back in with your new username. The change will appear everywhere on your computer after you log back in.
What if I renamed my account and now a program will not open?
This is rare, but some older programs store your username in their settings. If a program stops working after you rename, try uninstalling and reinstalling it. If that does not work, contact the program's support team — they can tell you whether the program is compatible with renamed accounts.
Can I have two usernames on the same HP 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 and select Add account. You can create as many accounts as you need.