The quickest way to change your username
Open Settings, go to Accounts, select Your info, and click the "Rename your account" button. Windows will ask you to confirm the change, then restart your computer. The whole process takes about five minutes and does not require a password.
This method changes the display name that appears on your login screen and in the Start menu. It does not change your user folder name (the directory where your files live), and it does not affect your Microsoft account if you are signed in with one.
Key Takeaways
- The Settings > Accounts > Your info path is the fastest way to rename your account on Windows 10.
- Changing your username through Settings only changes the display name, not the folder where your files are stored.
- If you use a Microsoft account to sign in, changing your Windows username does not change your email address or Microsoft account name.
- You will need to restart your computer after making the change, and the new name appears on your next login.
- If you cannot access Settings, you can rename your account through the Control Panel or by using a local administrator account.
Step-by-step instructions for Settings
Press the Windows key and type "Settings" to open the Settings app. Click on "Accounts" in the left sidebar, then select "Your info" at the top of the window.
Look for a button labeled "Rename your account" and click it. A dialog box will appear asking you to type your new username. Enter the name you want, then click "Next" and confirm the change. Windows will ask you to restart your computer — save any open work and click "Restart now" or restart manually when you are ready.
When you log back in, your new username will appear on the login screen and in the Start menu. Any shortcuts or programs you had before the change will still work the same way.
What changes and what stays the same
The display name — what you see on the login screen and in Settings — changes when ready. Your user folder (usually C:\Users\[YourName]) keeps its old name. This means file paths and some programs that reference your old folder name may still show the old username in their settings.
If you sign in with a Microsoft account (an email address), your Windows username and your Microsoft account are separate. Changing one does not change the other. Your email address stays the same, and you can still sign in with it. If you sign in with a local account (a username and password created just for this computer), the change affects only that local account.
Using Control Panel if Settings does not work
If the Settings app is not responding or you cannot find the Accounts section, you can rename your account through Control Panel. Press the Windows key and type "Control Panel," then open it.
Click "User Accounts," then click "User Accounts" again in the window that opens. Select "Change your account name" and type your new username. Click "Rename" and restart your computer. This method works the same way as Settings and produces the same result.
Changing the user folder name (advanced)
If you want to change the actual folder name in C:\Users\ to match your new username, the process is more involved and carries a small risk if something goes wrong. Most people do not need to do this — Windows keeps the old folder name to avoid breaking file paths and program settings.
If you do want to rename the folder, you will need to sign in with a different administrator account, then rename the folder while your main account is not in use. After renaming, you may need to update user profile paths in some programs. Unless you have a specific reason to do this, it is safer to leave the folder name as it is.
Troubleshooting if the rename button does not appear
If you do not see a "Rename your account" button in Settings > Accounts > Your info, you may not be signed in with an administrator account. Check the top of the Your info page — it should say "Administrator" next to your account name.
If it says "Standard account" instead, you will need to ask someone with administrator access to rename your account for you, or you can create a new administrator account and rename that one. To create a new account, go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users and click "Add someone else to this PC."
What to do if you forget your new username
Your new username appears on the login screen as soon as you restart, so you will see it right away. If you are already logged in and forget what you changed it to, open Settings > Accounts > Your info and look at the top of the page — your current username is displayed there.
You can also open a Command Prompt and type whoami to see your current username. This is useful if you need to know your exact username for troubleshooting or for sharing with technical support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my username affect my files or programs?
Your files stay in the same place and remain accessible. Most programs will continue to work normally. Some older programs that hardcode your username into their settings may show your old username in their menus, but they will still function. You can usually update these manually in the program's settings.
Can I change my username back to what it was before?
Yes. Follow the same steps through Settings > Accounts > Your info and click "Rename your account" again. Type your old username and restart. There is no limit to how many times you can change it.
Does changing my Windows username change my password?
No. Your password stays the same. If you sign in with a password, you will still use that same password after renaming your account. If you use a PIN or Windows Hello, those remain unchanged as well.
What if I use a Microsoft account instead of a local account?
The process is identical. Your Windows display name changes, but your Microsoft account email address does not. You can still sign in with your email address, and your OneDrive and other Microsoft services continue to work without interruption.
Can I have spaces or special characters in my username?
Windows allows spaces and most special characters in the display name you see on the login screen. However, the user folder name (if you ever need to reference it) cannot contain certain characters like asterisks or question marks. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens to avoid confusion.