The fastest way depends on whether you use Windows or Mac
On Windows, you change your username through Settings in about two minutes. On Mac, you do it through System Settings and it takes roughly the same time. Both operating systems let you change the name that appears when you log in, though the steps differ slightly. The process is straightforward enough that you do not need special permissions, but you will need to know your current password.
One important note: changing your username does not affect your files or passwords. Windows and Mac both keep your user account tied to a hidden identifier behind the scenes, so your documents, photos, and login credentials stay exactly where they are. What changes is only the display name — the one you see on the login screen and in the top-right corner of your screen.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and click "Rename your device" to change the name that appears on your login screen.
- On Mac, open System Settings > General > About and click "Edit" next to the computer name to change how your device appears on networks.
- Your files, passwords, and account data do not move or change when you rename your username.
- You will need your current password to confirm the change on either operating system.
- If you share your computer with other people, changing the username affects only your own login name, not theirs.
Changing 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" on the left side of the window. You will see several options; click "Your info" at the top.
On the right side of the screen, you will see your current username displayed under your profile picture. Below that, click the button that says "Rename your device." A text box will appear with your current username highlighted. Delete the old name and type the new one you want. Click "Next," then "Finish" to confirm. Windows will ask you to sign out and sign back in for the change to take effect — do that, and your new username will appear on the login screen.
Changing your username on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older versions of macOS). In the sidebar, click "General," then look for the "About" section. You will see your computer name listed there.
Click the "Edit" button next to the computer name field. A text box will appear. Delete the current name and type your new username. Click "OK" to save the change. Unlike Windows, Mac does not require you to sign out — the change takes effect when ready. Your new username will appear the next time you restart your computer or check your network settings.
What happens to your files and folders after you change your username
Your Documents, Downloads, Desktop, and all other folders stay in the same place with all your files intact. The folder path on your computer may still show the old username in the address bar for a short time, but this is just a display issue. Mac and Windows both maintain a hidden link between your account and your files, so nothing actually moves.
If you use cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or iCloud, those services do not care what your username is — they are tied to your email address instead. Your synced files will continue to work normally after the change.
Changing the username for a different user account on your computer
If you share your computer with someone else and need to change their username instead of your own, you will need administrator access. On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Other people, select the account you want to change, and click "Rename." On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Users & Groups (or System Preferences > Users & Groups on older versions), unlock the settings by clicking the lock icon, select the account, and click the gear icon at the bottom to change the account name.
You will need the administrator password to make changes to another person's account. The other user does not need to be logged in, but they should save and close any open work first, since they will need to log out and back in for the change to appear.
If you cannot find the rename option
On Windows, make sure you are in Settings > Accounts > Your info, not in a different Accounts section. Some older versions of Windows use slightly different menu names — if you see "PC name" instead of "Your info," click that instead. You should see a "Rename your device" button; if you do not, try restarting your computer and opening Settings again.
On Mac, confirm you are in System Settings (not System Preferences, which is the older version). If you are on an older Mac running an earlier version of macOS, the steps may differ slightly — look for "Sharing" in System Preferences instead of "About" in System Settings. If you still cannot find the option, your account may not have administrator permissions, and you will need to ask whoever set up the computer to make the change for you.
Why you might want to change your username
People change their usernames for many reasons. You might want something more professional if you use your computer for work, or you might want to remove a username you created years ago that no longer fits. Some people change it when they get a new device but want to keep the same setup, or when they share a computer and want each person to have a clear, distinct login name.
Changing your username does not affect security or privacy in any meaningful way — it is purely a display change. Your password remains the same, your files stay where they are, and your accounts (email, social media, banking) do not notice the change at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my username affect my passwords?
No. Your passwords for email, banking, social media, and other accounts are tied to those services, not to your computer username. Changing your computer username does not change any of your passwords or require you to log back into anything.
Can I change my username without restarting my computer?
On Mac, yes — the change takes effect when ready. On Windows, you will need to sign out and sign back in, but you do not need to fully restart the computer. Just click your profile picture in the top-right corner and select "Sign out," then log back in.
What if I change my username and then want to change it back?
You can change it back anytime using the same steps. Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info on Windows or System Settings > General > About on Mac, and rename it again. There is no limit to how many times you can change it.
Does changing my username affect my email address?
No. Your email address is separate from your computer username. Changing one does not change the other. Your email account will work exactly the same way after you change your computer username.
What if my computer is connected to a workplace network?
If your computer is part of a workplace domain or network, you may not be able to change your username yourself — your IT department controls it. Contact them before trying to change it, as they may need to update it on their end as well.