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, the process is slightly longer and lives in System Preferences. Both methods work whether you use a local account (stored only on your laptop) or a Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac). The steps differ because Windows and macOS store usernames in different places, but neither requires restarting your laptop or losing any files.

Your username is the name that appears on your login screen and in the top-right corner of your screen. It is separate from your password — changing one does not change the other. If you share your laptop with other people, each person has their own username and can have their own password, so changing yours does not affect anyone else's account.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users open Settings, go to Accounts, and change the name under "Your info" — the change takes effect when ready without restarting.
  • Mac users open System Preferences, select Users & Groups, unlock the padlock, right-click their account, and choose "Advanced Options" to edit the username.
  • If you use a Microsoft account on Windows or an Apple ID on Mac, you may see two names: the account name and the display name, and you can change the display name without touching the account itself.
  • Changing your username does not affect your files, programs, or passwords — everything stays where it is.
  • If you forget your password and cannot log in, you cannot change your username from the login screen; you will need to reset your password first or use another admin account.

How to change 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. You will see a section called "Your info" at the top, with your current username displayed. Click the "Rename your device" button (on Windows 11) or look for an "Edit" button next to your name (on Windows 10).

Type your new username in the box that appears. Windows usernames can include letters, numbers, and some special characters, but cannot include spaces or these symbols: < > : " / \ | ? *. After you type the new name, click "Next" and then "Finish". Your laptop will ask you to sign out and sign back in for the change to take full effect, though you can wait and do this later.

If you use a Microsoft account instead of a local account, you may see two different names: your Microsoft account email and a "display name" that appears on your laptop. You can change the display name without changing your email address. The display name is what shows on your login screen and in the top-right corner.

How to change your username on a Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Preferences" (on older Macs) or "System Settings" (on newer Macs). Look for "Users & Groups" or "General" depending on your macOS version. You will see a list of user accounts on the left side. Click on your account name to select it.

A padlock icon will appear at the bottom of the window. Click it and enter your password to unlock the settings. Once unlocked, right-click on your account name in the list and select "Advanced Options". In the window that opens, you will see a field labeled "Short name" — this is your username. Edit it to your new username and click "OK".

Your Mac may also show a "Full name" field, which is your display name. You can change this separately if you want your login username to be different from the name that appears in menus and documents. After you make changes, close System Preferences. The new username takes effect the next time you log in.

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

Your files stay exactly where they are. The folder that holds your documents, downloads, and desktop is tied to your account, not to the specific name you type at login. If you open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) and look at your home folder, you may see the old username in the path for a while, but your files are still accessible and nothing is missing.

Programs you have installed continue to work. Your email, browser bookmarks, and saved passwords remain unchanged. If a program stores settings in your user folder, those settings stay with your account. The only time you might notice a difference is if you have a program that displays your username somewhere — it will show the new name the next time you open it.

If you use a Microsoft account or Apple ID

On Windows, if you sign in with a Microsoft account (your email address), you have a Microsoft account name and a local display name. The display name is what appears on your laptop; the Microsoft account email is what you use to sign in from other devices. You can change the display name through Settings without changing your email address.

On a Mac with an Apple ID, the situation is similar. Your Apple ID is your email address, and your "short name" (username) is separate. You can change your short name without affecting your Apple ID. If you want to change your Apple ID itself, that is a different process and requires going to Apple's account website.

Troubleshooting: what to do if the change does not work

If you see an error message saying the username is already in use, choose a different name. Windows and Mac both prevent you from using a name that already exists on that laptop. If you see a message about permissions, make sure you are logged in as an administrator — a standard user account cannot change usernames.

If you cannot access the settings at all because you forgot your password, you will need to reset your password first. On Windows, use the "I forgot my password" link on the login screen. On a Mac, restart while holding Command-S to enter Single User Mode, or use another admin account to reset your password. Once you can log in, follow the steps above to change your username.

If you changed your username but still see the old name somewhere on your laptop, restart your computer. Some programs and system areas cache the old name and update it only after a restart. This is normal and does not mean the change failed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username without knowing my password?

No. You must be logged in as an administrator to change a username. If you do not know your password, you will need to reset it first using the password recovery options on your login screen, or use another admin account on the same laptop to change it for you.

Will changing my username log me out of my email or other accounts?

No. Your email account, social media, and other online accounts are tied to your email address and password, not to your laptop username. Changing your laptop username does not affect any of these. You will stay logged in to everything.

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

Yes. Follow the same steps and type your old username. Windows and Mac will allow you to reuse a name you have used before on that laptop. Your files and settings will be exactly as they were.

What if I share my laptop with someone else and want to change only my username?

Each person on a shared laptop has their own account and username. Changing your username affects only your account and does not touch anyone else's. Other users will not see the change unless they look at the login screen or your account settings.

Does changing my username affect my Wi-Fi or printer connection?

No. Your Wi-Fi and printer connections are stored separately from your username. They will continue to work after you change your username. You may need to re-enter a Wi-Fi password if your laptop asks, but this is rare.