The fastest way to change your username depends on your operating system

On Windows 10 or 11, you change your username through Settings in about two minutes. On a Mac, you use System Settings and the Users & Groups panel. Both paths are straightforward once you know where to look, though the exact steps differ. You'll need administrator access to your computer — if you don't have the password, you'll need to contact whoever set up the account.

The process is different from changing your password, which you can do from the login screen. Changing your username actually renames your account folder and updates how your name appears throughout the system, so it touches more of your computer's settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and click "Rename your account" to change the display name in one step.
  • Mac users open System Settings > General > Users & Groups, unlock the panel with their password, then right-click their account and select "Advanced Options" to change the short name.
  • You need administrator access on your computer to make either change.
  • Changing your username does not affect your files or passwords — everything stays where it is.
  • If you want to change the folder name that appears in File Explorer or Finder, Windows and Mac handle this differently and may require additional steps.

Changing your username on Windows 10 or 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the Settings app. Go to Accounts in the left sidebar, then click Your info. You'll see your current account name displayed at the top. Click the button that says Rename your account.

A dialog box will appear with your current name highlighted. Type your new username and click Next, then Finish. Windows will ask you to sign out and back in for the change to take effect. When you sign back in, your new username will appear on the login screen and throughout Windows.

This process changes the display name — the name that shows in the Start menu, on the lock screen, and in Settings. If you also want to change the folder name that appears in File Explorer (the one that shows in C:\Users\), that requires a separate process through Local Users and Groups, which is more involved and best left alone unless you have a specific reason to do it.

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. You may see a lock icon at the bottom of the window — if you do, click it and enter your administrator password to unlock the panel.

Right-click your account name in the list on the left and select Advanced Options. You'll see two fields: Full Name and Account name (sometimes called the "short name"). The Full Name is what appears in menus and on the login screen. The Account name is the folder name that appears in Finder under /Users/. Change whichever one you want, then click OK.

If you only change the Full Name, the change takes effect when ready. If you change the Account name (the folder name), macOS may ask you to sign out and back in. After you do, your new username will appear throughout the system.

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

Your files stay exactly where they are. Changing your username does not move, delete, or rename any of your documents, photos, downloads, or anything else on your computer. Your passwords, saved Wi-Fi networks, and process settings all remain the same.

Some programs that store settings tied to your old username may need to be restarted to recognize the new name, but this is rare and usually happens automatically. If you notice a program acting strangely after the change, closing and reopening it almost always fixes the issue.

If you don't have administrator access

You cannot change your own username without administrator access. If you're on a work or school computer, contact your IT department or help desk — they can change it for you. If it's a personal computer and you've forgotten the administrator password, you'll need to reset it through your Microsoft account (on Windows) or your Apple ID (on Mac) before you can make any account changes.

On Windows, go to the login screen, click "I forgot my password," and follow the prompts to reset it using your Microsoft account email or phone number. On Mac, restart your computer and hold Command + Q at the login screen to access recovery mode, then use your Apple ID to reset the administrator password.

Changing your username on older versions of Windows

If you're using Windows 7 or earlier, the process is different. Right-click "Computer" or "This PC" on your desktop, click Manage, then go to Local Users and Groups > Users. Right-click your account and select Rename. Type your new name and press Enter. You'll need to sign out and back in for the change to take effect.

Windows 7 is no longer supported by Microsoft, so if you're still using it, consider upgrading to Windows 10 or 11 for security reasons. The username change process is simpler on newer versions anyway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username affect my email address?

No. Your email address is separate from your computer username. Changing your computer username does not change your email account, your Microsoft account, or your Apple ID. You can change those separately if you want, but they're not connected to your computer username.

Can I change my username without restarting my computer?

On Windows, you'll need to sign out and back in, which is not quite a full restart but close. On Mac, changing just the Full Name takes effect when ready, but changing the Account name (folder name) requires signing out and back in. A full system restart is not necessary.

What if I change my username and then can't log in?

This is very rare, but if it happens, restart your computer and try logging in with your new username. If that doesn't work, restart again and try your old username — sometimes the system takes a moment to update. If neither works, you may need to use password recovery through your Microsoft or Apple account.

Can I have two usernames on the same computer?

Yes. You can create a second user account through Settings (Windows) or System Settings (Mac) without changing your current username. Each account has its own files, settings, and login. This is useful if multiple people share one computer.