Windows 10 and 11: The Settings Route

The fastest way to change your username on Windows is through Settings. Open Settings, go to Accounts, then select Your info on the left side. You'll see your current username at the top. Click Rename your account, type the new name you want, click Next, then Finish. Windows will ask you to sign out and back in — do that, and the change takes effect when ready.

This method works for any account type on your computer, whether you use a Microsoft account or a local account. The new username appears on your sign-in screen, in File Explorer, and anywhere else Windows displays your account name. You don't need administrator permission if you're changing your own account.

One thing to know: this changes only the display name, not the folder name on your hard drive. Your user folder (usually C:\Users\YourName) keeps its original name. That's fine for most people, but if you want the folder name to match your new username, you'll need the second method below.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info > Rename your account to change your display name in one step.
  • Renaming through Settings changes what appears on your sign-in screen and in Windows menus, but not your user folder on the hard drive.
  • To change both your display name and your folder name, you must use the Local Users and Groups tool or create a new account and transfer your files.
  • On Mac, open System Settings > General > Users & Groups, unlock the panel with your password, right-click your account, and select Advanced Options to change your short name.
  • Changing your username does not affect your files, installed programs, or saved passwords — they stay where they are.

Windows: Changing Your Folder Name Too

If you want your user folder name to match your new username, the Settings method won't do it. Windows doesn't let you rename the folder directly while you're logged in. The safest approach is to create a new account with the name you want, then move your files over.

Open Settings > Accounts > Other users > Add account. Create a new local account with your desired username. Once it's set up, sign out of your old account and sign in to the new one. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users. You'll see both your old folder and your new one. Copy everything from your old folder into the new one — Documents, Desktop, Downloads, Pictures, and any other folders you use. Then delete the old account through Settings > Accounts > Other users, and Windows will ask whether to keep or delete the old folder. Choose to delete it.

This takes longer than the Settings method, but it gives you a clean folder structure that matches your new username. Your programs, files, and settings all move with you because they're stored in that user folder.

Mac: Changing Your Account Name

On Mac, you have two names: your full name (what appears in menus and on your sign-in screen) and your short name (your username for the command line and some technical purposes). Most people only need to change the full name.

Open System Settings, click General, then select Users & Groups on the left. Click the lock icon at the bottom and enter your password to unlock the panel. Right-click your account name and select Advanced Options. You'll see two fields: Full Name and Account Name. Change the Full Name field to what you want, then click OK. Sign out and back in to see the change take effect.

If you need to change your short name (Account Name), that's more involved. macOS doesn't let you edit it directly in the interface. You would need to create a new account with the short name you want, move your files over the same way as Windows, and delete the old account. Most people don't need to do this — your full name is what you see in everyday use.

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 exactly where it is. Your installed programs continue to work. Your saved passwords, browser bookmarks, and email accounts all remain intact.

The only thing that changes is the name displayed on your sign-in screen, in your user folder path, and in Windows or Mac menus. If you use cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, those services don't care what your local username is — they're tied to your online account, not your computer name.

If you're on a work or school network, changing your local username doesn't affect your network login or your access to shared drives. Your network credentials are separate from your local account name.

When You Can't Change Your Username

If you're using a Microsoft account on Windows, you can change your display name through Settings, but the email address tied to your account stays the same. That email is your actual login credential. If you want a different email to sign in with, you'd need to create a new Microsoft account and set up a new Windows account from scratch.

If your computer is managed by your workplace or school, you may not have permission to change your username at all. Contact your IT department or help desk — they control what you can modify on a managed device.

On Mac, if you're using a managed Apple ID through your organization, the same applies. Your administrator controls your account settings, and you'll need to ask them to make changes.

Changing Your Username on Older Windows Versions

Windows 7 and earlier versions use a different path. Open Control Panel, go to User Accounts, click Manage another account (or your own account), then select Change the account name. Type your new name and click Rename. The process is the same — it changes your display name but not your folder.

If you're still using Windows 7, you should know that Microsoft stopped supporting it in January 2020. No more security updates are released for it. If you're on an older machine, consider upgrading to Windows 10 or 11 when you're able to, especially if you use your computer for banking, email, or anything sensitive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username log me out of everything?

You'll be logged out once so the change can take effect, but you'll log back in with the same password you always use. Your email, cloud storage, and online accounts don't know about your local username, so they stay logged in on your browser and apps.

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

Yes. Follow the same steps and type your old name. There's no limit to how many times you can change it. Windows and Mac don't track your username history or lock you out after a certain number of changes.

What if I forgot my password and can't sign in to change my username?

You'll need to reset your password first. On Windows, use another account on the same computer or a password reset disk if you made one. On Mac, use your Apple ID or recovery key. Once you're signed in, you can change your username.

Does changing my username affect my Wi-Fi or printer connections?

No. Your Wi-Fi password and printer setup are stored separately from your username. They'll keep working without any changes on your part.

If I change my username, do I need to reinstall my programs?

Not if you use the Settings method on Windows or the System Settings method on Mac. Your programs stay installed and work normally. If you create a new account and move files over, you may need to reinstall some programs that store settings in your user folder, but most modern software handles this automatically.