The fastest way depends on whether you use Windows or Mac
On Windows, you change your username through Settings > Accounts > Your info, then click "Rename your PC" — this changes the name your laptop displays on your network and in file paths. On a Mac, you go to System Settings > General > About, then click "Edit" next to the computer name. Both take about two minutes and don't require a restart, though Windows may ask you to restart after a few hours.
The process is different from changing your user account name (the login name you type when you start your computer). That's a separate step that's more involved, especially on Windows. Most people who want to "change their username" actually want to change the computer name — the thing that appears when you connect to WiFi or share files. This guide covers both, so you can do whichever one you need.
Key Takeaways
- Changing your computer name (what shows up on your network) takes two minutes and requires no restart on either Windows or Mac.
- Changing your actual login username on Windows requires creating a new account or using the Local Users and Groups tool, and is more time-consuming.
- On Mac, changing your login username is not straightforward and usually means creating a new account and moving your files over.
- If you only want your laptop to show a different name when you connect to WiFi or share files, change the computer name, not your login username.
How to change your computer name on Windows
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the app. Go to System > About. Scroll down until you see "Device name" with your current computer name next to it. Click the "Rename this PC" button.
Type your new name in the box that appears. Windows computer names can be up to 15 characters and cannot contain spaces or special characters like @ or #. Use letters, numbers, and hyphens only. Click "Next," then "Rename" to confirm. Windows will tell you to restart your computer — you can do this right away or wait until later. The new name takes effect after the restart.
How to change your computer name on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). Click General in the sidebar, then click About. You'll see your computer name at the top. Click the "Edit" button next to it.
Type your new name and click "Rename." Mac names can be longer than Windows names and can include spaces. The change takes effect when ready — no restart needed. If you don't see an Edit button, your account may not have permission to change the name. Try restarting your Mac and trying again, or check that you're logged in as an administrator.
Changing your Windows login username (the harder route)
Your login username is what you type when you turn on your computer. Changing it is more complicated than changing your computer name. The easiest method is to create a new account with the name you want, then move your files and settings over. Open Settings > Accounts > Other users, click "Add account," and follow the prompts to create a new local account (not a Microsoft account, unless you want to use one). Give it the username you want.
Once the new account exists, log out of your current account and log into the new one. You can then move your files from your old account's Documents, Desktop, and Downloads folders to the new account. After you've moved everything you need, you can delete the old account by going back to Settings > Accounts > Other users, selecting the old account, and clicking "Delete." Windows will ask whether to keep or delete the files in that account — choose "Delete" only if you've already moved everything you need.
If you prefer not to create a new account, you can use the Local Users and Groups tool (available on Windows Pro and Enterprise editions, not Home). Press Windows key + R, type "lusrmgr.msc," and press Enter. Right-click your account name and select "Rename." Type the new name and press Enter. This method keeps all your files and settings in place, but it only works on certain Windows editions.
Changing your Mac login username
Mac doesn't have a straightforward rename option for your login account. The most reliable way is to create a new administrator account, log into it, then use System Settings > General > Transfer or Migrate to move your files and settings from the old account to the new one. Go to System Settings > General > About, note your current account name, then create a new account by going to System Settings > General > Users & Groups (or Accounts on older Macs).
Click the lock icon to unlock the settings, then click the + button to add a new account. Choose "Administrator" as the account type and give it the username you want. Once created, log out and log into the new account. You can then delete the old account by going back to Users & Groups, selecting it, and clicking the - button. Mac will ask what to do with the old account's files — choose "Keep the home folder" so you can access them if needed.
What happens to your files and programs when you change your username
If you only change your computer name (the network name), nothing happens to your files or programs. Everything stays exactly where it is. Your login still works the same way, and all your documents, photos, and installed software remain accessible.
If you change your login username by creating a new account, your files don't automatically move. You have to copy them manually from the old account's folders to the new account's folders. Programs you installed may or may not work in the new account — some are tied to the account that installed them, while others work across all accounts on the computer. You may need to reinstall some programs in the new account.
Why you might want to change your computer name instead
Most people don't actually need to change their login username. If you want your laptop to show a different name when you connect to WiFi, share files with others, or appear on your home network, just change the computer name. This is quick, doesn't affect your files, and doesn't require you to log in differently.
Change your login username only if you actually need to type something different when you start your computer, or if you're setting up a shared computer and want each person to have their own account with their own name. For most home users, changing the computer name solves the problem in two minutes without any of the complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my username log me out of my email or cloud accounts?
No. Your email, cloud storage, and online accounts are tied to your email address and password, not to your computer's username. Changing your computer name or login username won't affect them. You'll stay logged in to everything.
Can I change my username back if I don't like the new one?
Yes. You can follow the same steps to change it again. On Windows, go back to Settings > System > About > Rename this PC. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > About > Edit. There's no limit to how many times you can change it.
What if I forget my password after changing my username?
Your password doesn't change when you change your username. You still log in with the same password you used before. If you've forgotten your password, use your password reset disk (if you created one) or your Microsoft account recovery options on Windows, or your Apple ID on Mac.
Does changing my username affect my WiFi or printer connections?
Changing your computer name may briefly disconnect you from WiFi — you'll just need to reconnect by selecting your network and entering your WiFi password again. Printers connected to your network should reconnect automatically. If a printer doesn't reconnect, restart it and your computer.
Can I use special characters or spaces in my new username?
For your computer name, Windows doesn't allow spaces or special characters — use only letters, numbers, and hyphens. Mac allows spaces and most special characters in the computer name. For your login username on either system, avoid special characters and spaces to prevent problems with programs and file sharing.