Change Your Username in Windows 10 and 11

The fastest way to change your username in Windows is through Settings. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select the Settings app. Go to Accounts in the left menu, then click 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 — it can include letters, numbers, and spaces, but not symbols like @ or #. Click Next, then Finish. You will be asked to sign out and sign back in for the change to take effect.

If the Rename button does not appear, your account is a Microsoft account rather than a local account. Microsoft accounts require you to change your display name through your Microsoft account settings online instead. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and look for "Your info" to change the name associated with your account.

Change Your Username on Mac

On a Mac, changing your username involves the System Settings app. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click General in the sidebar, then select Users & Groups or Login Options depending on your macOS version.

You may need to click the lock icon in the bottom-left corner and enter your password to make changes. Right-click your account name in the list on the left and select Advanced Options. You will see two fields: the short name (used for your home folder and command line) and the full name (displayed on login and in menus). Change whichever one you want, then click OK.

The short name change takes effect when ready, but the full name change may not appear everywhere until you restart your Mac. Your home folder name will not change automatically — if you need the folder renamed too, that requires moving files and is best done by an Apple technician.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows local accounts are renamed through Settings > Accounts > Your info > Rename your account, and the change takes effect after you sign out and back in.
  • Windows Microsoft accounts cannot be renamed in Settings — you must change your display name through your Microsoft account online at account.microsoft.com.
  • Mac usernames are changed in System Settings > Users & Groups > Advanced Options, where you can change either the short name or full name separately.
  • Changing your username does not affect your files, passwords, or installed programs — they remain tied to your account.

What Happens to Your Files and Programs

Your files, programs, and settings stay exactly where they are after you change your username. The change is cosmetic — it only affects how your name appears on the login screen and in menus. Your home folder, email, browser bookmarks, and installed software all continue to work without any action from you.

On Windows, your home folder path (like C:\Users\OldName) does not change automatically when you rename your account. If you need the folder path to match your new username, you would have to manually move the folder, which can break program settings. Most people leave the folder name as it was and only change the display name instead.

Troubleshooting a Stuck or Missing Rename Button

If the Rename button is grayed out or missing in Windows, you are likely using a Microsoft account. Microsoft accounts are tied to your email address and cannot be renamed locally — the change must happen online. Sign in to account.microsoft.com with your email and password, click "Your info," and look for the option to change your name there.

If you are using a local account and the button still does not appear, restart your computer and try again. If the problem persists, you may not have administrator rights on your account. Ask whoever set up the computer to make the change, or create a new local administrator account and use that to rename your current account.

Switching Between a Microsoft Account and a Local Account

If you want to use a local account instead of a Microsoft account (so you can rename it locally), you can switch in Windows Settings. Go to Accounts > Your info and scroll down to Sign in with a local account instead. Click that option and follow the prompts to create a local username and password.

Switching to a local account means you will no longer sync settings across devices or use Microsoft services like OneDrive as seamlessly. Your files stay on your computer, but cloud features become less integrated. If you only want to change your display name and keep your Microsoft account, it is usually simpler to change it online instead of switching account types.

Why You Might Want to Change Your Username

People change their usernames for many reasons: a name change in life, a username that no longer fits, or removing a name you share with someone else on the computer. Changing it early — before you install many programs or set up cloud services — is easier than changing it later, because fewer things are tied to the old name.

If multiple people use the same computer, each person should have their own account with their own username. That way, each person's files, settings, and programs stay separate. If you are sharing a computer and want your own space, create a new account rather than renaming a shared one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username log me out of everything?

You will be logged out once to explore the change, but you will not be logged out of websites, email, or cloud services. Your passwords and login information stay the same. You may need to sign back into some programs that store your username locally, but this is rare.

Can I change my username to something with special characters or spaces?

Windows allows spaces and most letters and numbers in your display name, but not symbols like @, #, $, or %. The short name (used for your home folder) is more restricted and cannot have spaces. Mac has similar limits — check what characters your system accepts before you type.

What if I forgot my password and cannot sign in to change my username?

You will need to reset your password first. On Windows, use another account on the computer or a password reset disk if you have one. On Mac, use your Apple ID to reset your password. Once you can sign in, you can change your username.

Does changing my username affect my email address?

No. Your email address is separate from your computer username. Changing your computer username does not change your email, and your email will not change your computer username. They are completely independent.

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Yes, you can change your username as many times as you want. Go back to the same settings and rename it again. There is no limit to how many times you can change it.