The fastest way depends on your operating system
On Windows 10 or 11, you change your username through Settings. On a Mac, you use System Preferences or System Settings. Both take about five minutes and require you to be logged in as an administrator — the account type that can make system-wide changes. If you are not sure whether your account is an administrator account, try opening Settings or System Preferences; if you can access the user accounts section, you have the right permissions.
The steps differ between systems because Windows and Mac store account information differently. Windows keeps your username separate from your display name, so you may see two different names depending where you look. Mac treats them as one. Both systems let you change your username without losing your files, programs, or settings — the change is cosmetic from your computer's perspective.
Key Takeaways
- Windows lets you change your display name (what appears on the login screen) through Settings without administrator approval, but changing your actual account name requires the administrator account password.
- On Mac, you change your username and full name in System Preferences or System Settings under Users & Groups, and you need administrator permissions.
- Your files and programs stay in place after you change your username; Windows may create a new folder for your user files, but your old files remain accessible.
- If you forget your administrator password, you cannot change your username without resetting it through your Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac).
Changing your display name on Windows 10 or 11
The display name is what shows on your login screen and in the Start menu. To change it, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the Settings app. Go to Accounts on the left side, then click Your info. At the top, you will see your current display name with an Edit button next to it. Click Edit, type your new name, and click Next, then Finish.
This change takes effect when ready and does not require a restart. The new name appears the next time you log in or look at the Start menu. This is the simplest change and works even if you do not have the administrator password — you only need to be logged into your own account.
Changing your account name on Windows (the technical username)
Your account name is different from your display name. It is the folder name Windows uses to store your files, and it appears in the file path when you navigate to your user folder. To change it, you must be logged in as the administrator account. If you are not sure whether you are the administrator, try the next steps; Windows will tell you if you do not have permission.
Open Settings, go to Accounts, and click Other people on the left. Find your account in the list and click it. Click Rename account, type your new username, and click Next. Windows will ask for the administrator password. Enter it and click Finish. You will need to restart your computer for the change to take effect.
After you restart, Windows creates a new user folder with your new username. Your old folder remains on the computer, but Windows points your account to the new one. Your files, programs, and settings are still there — Windows just accesses them through the new folder path. If you want to delete the old folder later to save space, you can, but it is not necessary.
Changing your username on Mac
On a Mac, your username and full name are managed together. Open System Preferences (on older Macs) or System Settings (on newer Macs running Monterey or later). Click General, then look for Users & Groups or Login Items depending on your macOS version. If you see Users & Groups, click it. If you do not see it, go back and look for General settings, which may have a Users section.
Click the lock icon in the bottom left corner and enter your administrator password. Find your account in the list on the left and click it. You will see fields for your full name and account name. Change the full name first (this is what appears on the login screen), then click the account name field and change it. Click outside the field to save. You may need to restart your Mac for the change to take effect fully.
What happens to your files after you change your username
On Windows, your user folder location changes, but your files do not move. Windows creates a new folder with your new username and points your account to it. The old folder stays on your hard drive. You can access files from both locations, though Windows prioritizes the new folder. If you want to clean up, you can delete the old folder after confirming all your files are in the new one, but this is optional.
On Mac, the change is simpler. Your home folder name changes to match your new account name, and all your files move with it automatically. Your programs, settings, and preferences stay exactly where they are. You do not have to do anything after the restart.
If you forget your administrator password
On Windows, you can reset your password using your Microsoft account. At the login screen, click I forgot my password, and Windows will walk you through verifying your identity using your email or phone number. Once you reset it, you can log back in and change your username.
On Mac, restart your computer and hold Command + S to enter Single-User Mode. Type fsck -fy and press Enter, then type mount -uw / and press Enter. Then type launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.opendirectoryd.plist and press Enter. This process is complex; if you are not comfortable with it, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store, as mistakes can affect your system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my username affect my programs or files?
No. Your programs will continue to work, and all your files remain on your computer. Windows and Mac both handle the technical details of pointing your account to your files, so you will not notice any difference in how your computer works. The change is only cosmetic from your perspective.
Can I change my username without restarting?
On Windows, changing your display name does not require a restart. Changing your actual account name does. On Mac, you may not need to restart for the full name change, but restarting ensures everything updates correctly. If you change your username and something does not look right, restart your computer.
What if I share my computer with other people?
Each person has their own account with their own username, files, and settings. Changing your username does not affect anyone else's account. Other users will not see your files or settings, and changing your name will not change theirs.
Can I change my username to anything I want?
On Windows, your account name cannot contain spaces or certain special characters like asterisks or question marks. On Mac, the account name is limited to lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens. Both systems will tell you if your chosen name is not allowed and suggest alternatives.
Do I need to update my password when I change my username?
No. Your password stays the same. Your username and password are separate — changing one does not affect the other. You will still log in with the same password you used before.