The steps differ between Windows and Mac, and you'll need administrator access either way

Changing your computer username is straightforward on both Windows and Mac, but the path to do it is different on each system. On Windows 10 and 11, you go through Settings. On a Mac, you use System Preferences or System Settings. Either way, you need to be logged in as an administrator — the account type that can make system-wide changes. If you're not sure whether your account is an administrator, try the steps below; the system will tell you if you don't have permission.

The change takes effect when ready, though some programs may need to be restarted to recognize the new name. Your files stay where they are, and you don't lose anything. The only thing that changes is what appears on the login screen and in system menus.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 and 11, open Settings, go to Accounts, and select "Your info" to change your display name or account name.
  • On a Mac, open System Preferences or System Settings, go to General, then Users & Groups, unlock the padlock, and change the Full Name or Account Name.
  • You must be logged in as an administrator to make this change on either system.
  • The change takes effect right away, but you may need to restart some programs for them to show the new name.

How to change your username on Windows 10 and 11

Start by opening Settings. The fastest way is to press the Windows key and type "Settings," then click the Settings app when it appears. Once Settings is open, click on "Accounts" in the left sidebar.

Inside Accounts, click "Your info" at the top of the left sidebar. You'll see your current account name and picture. If you want to change just the display name (what shows on the login screen and in menus), click "Rename your account" and type the new name. This is the easiest option and works for most people.

If you want to change the actual account name (the folder name on your computer), the process is more involved. Click "Local account settings" at the bottom of the page, then "Rename your account." Windows will ask you to confirm with your password. Type the new name and click "Next," then "Finish." Your computer may need to restart for this to take full effect.

How to change your username on Mac

On a Mac running macOS 13 (Ventura) or newer, open System Settings and click "General" in the sidebar. Then click "Users & Groups." On older versions of macOS, open System Preferences and click "Users & Groups" directly.

You'll see a list of accounts on the left. Click the padlock icon at the bottom left and enter your administrator password to unlock the settings. Once unlocked, right-click your account name in the list and select "Advanced Options." You can change the Full Name (what appears in menus) or the Account Name (the folder name). Make your changes and click "OK."

If you change the Account Name, your Mac will create a new home folder with the new name. Your old folder will remain on the disk but won't be used. You can delete it manually later if you want to free up space, but leave it alone for now in case any programs still look for files there.

What happens to your files and programs

Your files don't move or disappear when you change your username. They stay in your home folder, which is the main storage area for your account. Programs that were installed for your account continue to work. Some older programs may take a moment to recognize the new name, but this is rare.

If you changed the account name itself (not just the display name), some programs that store settings in hidden folders may need to be restarted to pick up the change. Restarting the program usually fixes this. If a program keeps looking for your old username and won't work, you can usually fix it by restarting your computer.

If you don't have administrator access

If you try to make this change and the system tells you that you don't have permission, your account is a standard user account, not an administrator account. You'll need to ask whoever set up the computer to make the change for you, or to temporarily give your account administrator rights.

On Windows, an administrator can go to Settings > Accounts > Other people, find your account, and click "Change account type" to promote it to administrator. On a Mac, an administrator can open System Settings > General > Users & Groups, unlock the padlock, click your account, and check the box next to "Allow user to administer this computer."

Changing your username for email and online accounts

Changing your computer username does not change your email address, Microsoft account, Apple ID, or any online usernames. Those are separate and stay the same. If you want to change your email username or your Microsoft or Apple ID, you'll need to do that through those services' own websites or apps.

If your computer username and your email username were the same before, they'll now be different after you change your computer name. This is fine — they don't have to match. Just remember which one you use for which purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username log me out?

No. You stay logged in during and after the change. The new username takes effect when ready, but you don't have to restart or log out unless you changed the account name itself on a Mac, in which case a restart is sometimes helpful to make sure all programs recognize the change.

Can I change my username back to the old one?

Yes. Follow the same steps and type your old username. There's no limit to how many times you can change it. If you changed the account name on a Mac and created a new home folder, you can rename the new folder back to the old name using Finder.

What if I forgot my administrator password?

On Windows, you can use another administrator account to change the username, or you can use the password reset disk if you created one. On a Mac, you can use Recovery Mode to reset the administrator password, though this requires restarting your computer and following Apple's recovery steps. If you're locked out, contact your IT support or the person who set up the computer.

Does changing my username affect my Wi-Fi or network login?

No. Your computer's username is separate from your Wi-Fi password or network credentials. You'll stay connected to the internet and your network. If you're on a work network that uses your username for login, check with your IT department before making changes, as they may need to update their records.