The steps differ between Windows and Mac, and you'll need administrator access either way
Changing your username is straightforward on both operating systems, but the path is different depending on which one you use. On Windows, you go through Settings. On Mac, you use System Preferences. 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 opening Settings or System Preferences. If you can't get in, you'll need to ask whoever set up the computer to make the change for you.
The process takes about five minutes and doesn't affect your files, passwords, or installed programs. Your documents stay where they are. However, some programs that were set to run automatically when you log in might need to be reconfigured afterward, and network drives or shared folders might temporarily lose their connection until you log back in.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows 11 or 10, open Settings, go to Accounts, select Your Info, and click the "Rename your account" button to change your username.
- On Mac, open System Preferences, click Users & Groups, unlock the padlock with your password, right-click your account, and select "Advanced Options" to change the account name.
- You must be logged in as an administrator to change any username, including your own.
- Changing your username does not delete your files, change your password, or uninstall programs, but some automatic startup settings may need to be reset.
- If you forget your username or can't access Settings, you may need to restart the computer in Safe Mode or ask another administrator for help.
How to change your username on Windows 10 and 11
Open the Start menu and type "Settings" into the search box, then click the Settings app. Once Settings opens, click "Accounts" in the left sidebar. On the next screen, click "Your info" at the top of the list.
Look for a button or link that says "Rename your account" — on Windows 11 it appears near the top of the page, and on Windows 10 it's usually in the middle. Click it. A text box will appear with your current username highlighted. Delete the old name and type the new one. Click "Next," then "Finish." You'll be asked to sign out and sign back in for the change to take effect. After you log back in, your new username will appear on the login screen and in the Start menu.
If the "Rename your account" button is grayed out or doesn't appear, your account may not have administrator rights. You'll need to log in to a different administrator account and change the username from there, or ask the computer's owner to do it.
How to change your username on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Preferences" (on older Macs) or "System Settings" (on newer ones). Look for "Users & Groups" and click it. You'll see a list of accounts on the left side. Click your own account name to select it.
At the bottom of the window, you'll see a small padlock icon. Click it and enter your password when prompted — this unlocks the settings so you can make changes. Once unlocked, right-click your account name in the list and select "Advanced Options." A new window will open. Find the field labeled "Account name" (this is the short name used by the system) and the field labeled "Full name" (this is the display name). Change whichever one you want, then click "OK."
You may need to restart your Mac for the change to take full effect, especially if you want the new name to appear on the login screen. If you only changed the "Full name," the change usually appears when ready. If you changed the "Account name," restart the computer.
What happens to your files and programs after you change your username
Your files, documents, photos, and downloads all stay exactly where they are. The folder that holds your personal files (called your "home folder" on Mac or "user folder" on Windows) keeps the same location on your hard drive, even though your username changed. You can still open and edit everything the same way you did before.
Installed programs continue to work normally. Your passwords for websites and apps are stored separately from your username and won't be affected. Email accounts, browser bookmarks, and saved passwords all remain intact.
The one thing that sometimes breaks is automatic startup — if you had a program set to open every time you log in, it might stop doing that after you change your username. You can usually fix this by opening the program's settings and re-enabling the startup option. On Windows, you can also check the Startup tab in Task Manager. On Mac, go to System Preferences > General > Login Items and add the program back to the list if needed.
If you can't find the rename option or it's grayed out
The most common reason the rename button doesn't work is that your account doesn't have administrator rights. Administrator accounts can change system settings and create or modify other accounts. Standard accounts can't. If you're on a standard account, you need someone with an administrator account to make the change for you.
To check your account type on Windows, open Settings > Accounts > Your info. Look for text that says "Administrator" or "Standard user" below your name. On Mac, open System Preferences > Users & Groups, click your account, and look for a checkbox labeled "Allow user to administer this computer." If it's unchecked, your account is standard.
If you're the only person who uses the computer and you can't access the rename option, you may need to restart in Safe Mode (Windows) or Recovery Mode (Mac) to regain access. This is rare, but it can happen if the account permissions got corrupted. If this happens, look up the specific instructions for your operating system version, as the steps vary.
Changing usernames for other people on your computer
If you're an administrator and you want to change someone else's username, the process is similar but you select their account instead of your own. On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Other people, click the account you want to change, and look for the rename option. On Mac, open System Preferences > Users & Groups, click the padlock to unlock it, select the account you want to change, right-click it, and choose "Advanced Options."
The person whose account you're changing doesn't need to be logged in, but they should know about the change beforehand. Their files and programs won't be affected, but they'll see the new username on the login screen the next time they restart the computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my username affect my Microsoft or Apple account?
No. Your Microsoft account (used for Windows) or Apple ID (used for Mac) is separate from your computer username. Changing your computer username does not change your account credentials or sign you out of any services. You'll still log into websites and apps the same way.
Can I change my username without restarting?
On Windows, you usually need to sign out and sign back in, but you don't need a full restart. On Mac, a full restart is recommended if you changed the account name, though sometimes the change takes effect when ready. Either way, restarting ensures everything updates properly.
What if I forget my new username right after changing it?
Your new username appears on the login screen, so you'll see it there. On Windows, you can also open Settings > Accounts > Your info to see it. On Mac, open System Preferences > Users & Groups. If you're already logged in, your username is displayed in the top-right corner of the screen.
Does changing my username change my password?
No. Your password stays the same. You'll use your new username with your existing password the next time you log in. If you want to change your password at the same time, you can do that separately in the same Settings or System Preferences window.
Can I change my username back to the old one later?
Yes. Follow the same steps and type your old username back in. There's no limit to how many times you can change it. However, if you changed the account name on Mac (not just the full name), some file paths and permissions might reference the old name, so changing it back and forth repeatedly can occasionally cause issues with specific programs.