Change your username in Windows 10 or 11
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click on Accounts in the left sidebar. Select Your info at the top. You will see your current username displayed under "Your info". Click the blue Rename your account button.
Type your new username in the box that appears. Windows usernames can include letters, numbers, and some symbols, but cannot contain certain characters like asterisks or question marks. Keep it under 20 characters for simplicity. Click Next, then Finish. Your computer will ask you to sign out and sign back in for the change to take effect.
Sign out by clicking your profile picture in the bottom left corner and selecting Sign out. When you log back in, your new username will be active. This change affects only how your account appears on the login screen and in Settings — your files and programs remain exactly where they were.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users reach the rename option through Settings > Accounts > Your info > Rename your account, then sign out and back in.
- Mac users open System Settings > General > About, click Edit next to the computer name, then restart the computer for the change to take effect.
- Changing your username does not affect your files, programs, or passwords — only the name displayed on your login screen.
- Windows usernames cannot contain certain symbols like asterisks, question marks, or forward slashes.
- Some older Windows versions use Control Panel instead of Settings, but the steps are similar and take less than five minutes.
Change your username on a Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. Click General in the sidebar. Scroll down and look for About — click it. You will see your computer name listed near the top. Click the Edit button next to the computer name field.
Type your new name in the text box. Mac computer names can include letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens, but work best when kept straightforward and under 15 characters. Click Done. Your Mac will ask you to restart the computer to complete the change. Save any open work, then click the Apple menu and select Restart.
When your Mac restarts, the new username will be active. Unlike Windows, changing the computer name on a Mac does not require you to sign out of your user account — a restart is all that is needed. Your files, applications, and settings remain unchanged.
What happens to your files and programs
Changing your username does not move, delete, or lock your files. Everything in your Documents, Desktop, Downloads, and other folders stays in the same place. Programs you have installed continue to work normally. Your passwords for email, websites, and cloud services do not change.
The only visible difference is the name that appears on your login screen and in system menus. If you use cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or iCloud, those services continue to sync normally because they are tied to your email address, not your computer username. If you share your computer with other users, their accounts and files are not affected by your username change.
Undo a username change
If you change your mind or made a typo, you can change your username again using the same steps. There is no limit to how many times you can rename your account. straightforward go back to Settings (Windows) or System Settings (Mac) and follow the rename process again with your preferred name.
If you cannot remember the steps or your computer is not responding, restart your computer and try again. A restart often clears temporary issues that might prevent the Settings menu from opening. If you are locked out of your account entirely, you may need to use a recovery account or contact your computer manufacturer's support line.
Difference between username and password
Your username is the name that appears on your login screen — it identifies which account you are using. Your password is the secret code you type to prove you are the account owner. Changing your username does not change your password. You will still use the same password to log in after the rename.
If you want to change your password at the same time, you can do that separately. On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password and click Change. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Login Items, then look for password options in Security & Privacy. Changing one does not affect the other.
Troubleshooting when the rename button does not appear
If you cannot find the Rename option in Windows Settings, you may be using a Microsoft account instead of a local account. Microsoft accounts are tied to your email address and cannot be renamed through Settings. Instead, you would need to change your display name through your Microsoft account online at account.microsoft.com.
On a Mac, if the Edit button does not appear next to your computer name, you may not have administrator permissions. Ask the person who set up the computer to make the change, or restart your Mac in Safe Mode and try again. If you are the only user and still cannot access the option, restart your Mac and try once more — sometimes a restart clears permission issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my username affect my email or Microsoft account?
No. Your email address and Microsoft account remain the same. Changing your computer username only changes the name displayed on your login screen. Your email, cloud storage, and online accounts are tied to your email address, not your computer username.
Can I use spaces or special characters in my new username?
Windows does not allow certain symbols like asterisks, question marks, or forward slashes. Spaces and hyphens usually work, but keeping your username straightforward with just letters and numbers prevents problems with some programs. Mac allows spaces and hyphens without issue.
Do I need to restart my computer after changing the username?
Windows requires you to sign out and sign back in. Mac requires a full restart. Both take just a few minutes. You do not need to restart multiple times — one sign-out or restart is enough for the change to take effect.
What if I forgot my password after changing my username?
Your password does not change when you rename your account. If you cannot remember it, use your password reset option on the login screen. On Windows, click "I forgot my password" and follow the recovery steps. On Mac, restart and hold Command-Q to access recovery options.
Can I change my username if I share my computer with other people?
Yes. Each person on a shared computer has their own account and can rename only their own username. Changing your username does not affect other users' accounts, files, or passwords. Each person must change their own username through their own account settings.