The Two Ways to Change Your Windows 8 Username

Windows 8 gives you two paths to change your username, and which one you use depends on what kind of account you have. If you sign in with a Microsoft account (the kind tied to Outlook, Hotmail, or OneDrive), you change your username through Microsoft's website, not through Windows itself. If you use a local account (username and password stored only on your computer), you change it directly in Windows Settings.

The Microsoft account route takes a few minutes and affects how you sign in everywhere you use that account. The local account route is faster and only changes how you sign in on that one computer. Both methods are straightforward once you know which account type you have.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft accounts require you to change the username on Microsoft's website, not in Windows, because the account is tied to your email address.
  • Local accounts are changed through Windows Settings under User Accounts, and the change takes effect the next time you sign in.
  • You can find out which account type you have by opening Settings and looking at the account information page.
  • Changing your username does not affect your files, folders, or installed programs — they stay where they are.
  • If you forget your password after changing your username, you will need the recovery email or phone number linked to your account.

How to Find Out What Type of Account You Have

Before you change anything, you need to know whether you are using a Microsoft account or a local account. Open the Charms bar by moving your mouse to the top-right corner of the screen, then click Settings. Click "Change PC settings" at the bottom of the Settings panel.

In PC Settings, click "Users" on the left side. Look at the account information displayed. If it shows an email address (like yourname@outlook.com or yourname@gmail.com) and mentions OneDrive or Outlook, you have a Microsoft account. If it shows only a username with no email address, you have a local account.

Changing a Local Account Username in Windows 8

Open the Charms bar again and go to Settings, then "Change PC settings". Click "Users" on the left. Under your account name, click "Change your password" — even though you are changing the username, this is the section where the username option lives.

Click "Change" next to your username. Type the new username you want in the text box. The new name can be up to 20 characters and can include letters, numbers, and some symbols, but not @ or backslash. Click "Next", then "Finish". You will need to sign out and sign back in for the change to take effect. Your files and programs stay exactly where they are.

Changing a Microsoft Account Username

For a Microsoft account, the username change happens on Microsoft's website, not in Windows. Go to account.microsoft.com in your web browser and sign in with your current Microsoft account email and password. Click "Your info" on the left side of the page.

Look for the section that shows your name or username. Click "Edit name" or "Edit your name" (the exact wording varies depending on which version of the Microsoft account page you see). Type your new name in the fields provided. Microsoft separates first and last names, so enter them in the correct boxes. Click "Save" when you are done. The change takes effect when ready, though it may take a few minutes to show up everywhere you use your Microsoft account.

Note that changing your Microsoft account name does not change your email address. Your sign-in email stays the same — only the display name changes. If you want to change the email address itself, that is a different process and requires going through Microsoft account recovery steps.

What Happens to Your Files and Folders

When you change your username, Windows does not move or rename your user folder automatically. Your files stay in the old folder path (usually C:\Users\OldUsername). This means your documents, pictures, and desktop are still there and still work normally — you just cannot see the username change reflected in the file path.

If you want the folder name to match your new username, you have to rename it manually through File Explorer. Right-click the old username folder in C:\Users, click "Rename", and type the new name. Windows will ask for permission to make the change. After you restart your computer, the folder will be renamed and everything inside it will still work.

Troubleshooting: What to Do If You Get Stuck

If you cannot find the username change option in Settings, make sure you are in the right place. Open Settings from the Charms bar (not the desktop Settings app — those are different in Windows 8). Go to "Change PC settings", then "Users". If you still do not see an option to change your username, you may not have administrator rights on that account. Ask the person who set up the computer to make the change for you.

If you changed your username but cannot sign in afterward, restart the computer and try signing in with the new username. If that does not work, try signing in with your email address (for Microsoft accounts) or the old username. Sometimes Windows takes a moment to recognize the change. If you are locked out completely, you will need to use a password reset disk or recovery email to regain access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my username affect my password?

No. Your password stays the same. You sign in with your new username and the same password you used before. If you want to change your password at the same time, you can do that in the same Settings section, but it is not required.

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

Yes. Follow the same steps and enter your old username. There is no limit to how many times you can change it. If you changed the user folder name too, you can rename that folder back as well.

What if I have a Microsoft account but want to switch to a local account?

You can create a new local account in Settings under Users, then copy your files to the new account folder. You cannot convert a Microsoft account to a local account directly, but you can set up a local account and transfer what you need.

Will other people on my computer see the username change?

Yes. If other people have accounts on the same computer, they will see your new username on the sign-in screen. The change is visible to anyone who uses that computer.