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 similar but uses System Settings instead. Both let you change the name that appears on your login screen and in file folders without losing any files or programs. The steps differ slightly between the two systems, so find your operating system below and follow those instructions in order.
Before you start, know that changing your username does not affect your password — you keep the same password to log in. It also does not touch your files, photos, or installed programs. Everything stays where it is.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and click "Rename your account" to change the display name in two minutes.
- Mac users open System Settings > General > Users & Groups, unlock the settings with their password, then right-click their account and select "Advanced Options" to edit the username.
- Your password does not change when you rename your account, and all your files and programs remain exactly where they are.
- If you are logged in as a standard user rather than an administrator, you will not see the option to change your username without entering an admin password.
- On both systems, you may need to restart your computer before the new name appears everywhere.
How to change your username on Windows 10 or 11
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the Settings app. Once it opens, click "Accounts" in the left sidebar, then click "Your info" at the top of the list.
You will see your current account name displayed with your profile picture. Below it, click the blue "Rename your account" button. A box will pop up asking you to type your new username. Type the name you want, then click "Next" and then "Finish." Windows will ask you to restart your computer to explore the change — you can restart now or wait until later, but the new name will not show up everywhere until you do.
If you do not see the "Rename your account" button, you are logged in as a standard user. Ask the person with administrator access to log in, follow the same steps, and change the name from their account.
How to change your username on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings." In the sidebar, click "General," then scroll down and click "Users & Groups." You will see a lock icon in the bottom-left corner — click it and enter your password to unlock the settings.
Your account will be highlighted in the list on the left. Right-click it and select "Advanced Options." A window will open showing several fields. Find the field labeled "Account name" — this is the short name that appears in file paths and the terminal. Type your new username there. Below it, the "Full name" field controls what shows on the login screen and in Finder. Change that too if you want. Click "OK" when you are done.
Your Mac may ask you to restart. If it does, save your work and restart — the new username will appear after you log back in.
What happens to your files and folders after you change your username
Your files do not move, and your programs do not uninstall. However, some applications may need to be restarted before they recognize the new username. If a program stops working after you change your name, close it completely and open it again.
On Windows, your user folder (the one that contains Documents, Downloads, and Desktop) keeps its old name. Windows still knows where to find it, so shortcuts and file paths work normally. If you want the folder name to match your new username, you will need to rename it manually in File Explorer, but this is optional and not necessary for anything to work.
On Mac, the situation is the same — your home folder keeps its old name, and everything works fine. Renaming the folder is possible but requires more steps and is not required.
Why you might see the old username in some places
After you change your username, some programs may still show the old name until you restart them or restart your computer. Email clients, cloud storage apps, and other software that was running when you made the change may cache the old name in memory. Closing and reopening the program usually fixes this.
On Windows, if you open Command Prompt or PowerShell, you might see the old username in the prompt line until you restart your computer. This is normal and does not mean the change did not work.
Changing your username versus changing your password
Your username is the name that appears on the login screen and in your file folders. Your password is the secret code you type to log in. Changing your username does not change your password — you will still use the same password to log in after the change.
If you want to change your password instead (or in addition), that is a separate process. On Windows, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select "Change a password." On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Users & Groups, unlock the settings, right-click your account, select "Advanced Options," and click "Change Password."
What to do if you cannot find the rename option
If you are on Windows and do not see "Rename your account," you are logged in as a standard user, not an administrator. You need someone with an administrator account to make the change. Ask them to log in, go to Settings > Accounts > Other people, find your account in the list, click it, and then click "Rename."
On Mac, if you do not see the "Advanced Options" menu when you right-click your account, the settings may not be unlocked. Click the lock icon in the bottom-left corner of Users & Groups, enter your password, and try again. If you still do not see it, you may not have permission to change your account name — ask the person who set up the computer to make the change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my username affect my Microsoft or Apple account?
No. Your local computer username is separate from your Microsoft account (on Windows) or Apple ID (on Mac). Changing one does not change the other. Your email and password for those accounts stay the same.
Can I change my username back to the old one?
Yes. Follow the same steps you used to change it the first time, and type your old username. There is no limit to how many times you can change it.
Do I need to restart my computer right away?
Not when ready, but some programs will not recognize the new name until you do. If something stops working after you change your username, restart your computer and try again.
What if I forgot my password and cannot unlock the settings?
On Windows, you will need to use another administrator account or reset your password through your Microsoft account. On Mac, you can use your Apple ID to reset your password. If you do not have access to either, contact the person who set up the computer.
Can I have two usernames on the same computer?
Yes, but that means creating a second user account, which is different from renaming your current one. Each account has its own files, settings, and password. If you want to do this, go to Settings > Accounts > Other people (Windows) or System Settings > General > Users & Groups (Mac) and look for the option to add a new account.