The quickest way to change your username

Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then go to Accounts > Your info. Click the blue Rename your PC button near the top. Type your new username and click Next, then Finish. Windows will ask you to restart your computer — do that, and your new username appears on the sign-in screen.

This method changes the name that appears on your lock screen and in the Settings app. It does not change your Microsoft account email or password. If you are signed in with a Microsoft account (one tied to Outlook, Hotmail, or another Microsoft service), this renames only the local display name, not your account itself.

The restart is required. Windows needs to update system files that reference your old username, and it cannot do that while you are logged in. Plan for about five minutes total, including the restart.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app method (Accounts > Your info > Rename your PC) is the fastest way and works for both local and Microsoft accounts.
  • Windows requires a restart after you change your username, and the change takes effect when you log back in.
  • If you use a Microsoft account, renaming your PC does not change your email address or password — only the display name.
  • The old username folder remains in C:\Users\ and can be renamed separately if you need to free up space or clean up your system.
  • If Settings does not show a Rename button, you may be using a child account or a work account with restrictions — contact your administrator.

What changes and what stays the same

When you rename your PC in Settings, Windows changes the name that appears on your sign-in screen, your user profile card in Settings, and anywhere else Windows displays your account name. Your files, documents, and installed programs remain exactly where they are and work normally.

However, the folder that holds your files — located at C:\Users\[YourOldUsername] — keeps its old name. If you want that folder to match your new username, you need to rename it separately. This is optional and does not affect how Windows works, but some people prefer the folder name to match for clarity.

Your Microsoft account email, password, and recovery options do not change. If you sign in with a Microsoft account, that account is still tied to your email address. The username change is only cosmetic on the sign-in screen.

Renaming your user folder to match your new username

If you want the C:\Users\ folder to match your new username, you must rename it while you are logged out. Restart your computer and sign in with a different administrator account (or create a temporary one). Then open File Explorer, navigate to C:\Users\, right-click your old username folder, and select Rename. Type your new username and press Enter.

If you do not have a second administrator account, you can create one temporarily. Go to Settings > Accounts > Other people > Add someone else to this PC, choose I don't have this person's sign-in information, then Add a user without a Microsoft account. Give it any name and a straightforward password. Once it is created, sign out of your main account, sign in with the temporary account, and rename your user folder as described above.

After you rename the folder, sign back into your main account. Windows may take a moment to recognize the new folder path, but your files and settings will be intact. You can then delete the temporary account if you created one.

Changing your username if you use a work or school account

If your Windows 10 PC is connected to a workplace or school domain, you cannot rename your account through Settings. Your username is controlled by your organization's network administrator. Contact your IT department or help desk to request a username change — they will make the change on their end, and it will sync to your computer the next time you sign in.

You can still rename your PC (the computer's display name) through Settings, but your user account itself remains tied to your organization's directory. Attempting to rename the folder manually can cause sign-in problems, so do not do that without approval from your IT team.

What to do if the Rename button does not appear

If you open Settings > Accounts > Your info and do not see a blue Rename your PC button, one of three things is likely happening. You may be signed in with a child account, which cannot be renamed by the child — only by the parent or guardian who set it up. You may be using a work or school account, which requires administrator approval. Or your account may not have administrator rights on this PC.

If you are the PC owner and believe you should have administrator rights, go to Settings > Accounts > Other people and check whether your account is listed as an administrator. If it shows as a standard account, you need to switch it to administrator status. Open Settings > Accounts > Your info, scroll down, and look for Make changes to your account — if you see it, click it and follow the prompts. If you do not see that option, another administrator on the PC must make the change for you.

Renaming your account through the Control Panel (older method)

Windows 10 also allows you to rename your account through the Control Panel, though the Settings method is faster. Open Control Panel, go to User Accounts > User Accounts again, then click Change your account name. Type your new name and click Rename. This method works the same way as Settings and also requires a restart.

The Control Panel method is useful if Settings is not responding or if you prefer the older interface. The result is identical — your display name changes, and you see the new name on your sign-in screen after you restart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username affect my files or programs?

No. Your files, documents, photos, and installed programs remain exactly where they are and work normally. The username change is only a display name — it does not move or delete anything. The folder path in C:\Users\ keeps its old name unless you rename it separately.

Can I change my Microsoft account email address at the same time?

No. Renaming your PC in Settings changes only the display name on your computer. To change your Microsoft account email, sign in to account.microsoft.com, go to Your info, and click Manage your Microsoft account. That is a separate process from renaming your PC.

What happens to my old username folder if I don't rename it?

It stays in C:\Users\ with your old username. Windows continues to work normally. The folder name and the display name no longer match, but that causes no problems. You can rename it later if you want, or leave it as is — the choice is yours.

Do I need to restart when ready after changing my username?

Yes. Windows displays a restart prompt after you click Finish. You can choose to restart now or later, but the new username does not take effect until you restart. It is best to restart right away to avoid confusion.

Can I change my username back to the old one?

Yes. Follow the same steps — go to Settings > Accounts > Your info > Rename your PC, type your old username, and restart. You can change your username as many times as you want.