The fastest way: Settings menu

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then select the Settings app. Go to Accounts in the left sidebar, then click Your info at the top. You'll see your current username displayed under your profile picture.

Click the Rename your account button. Type your new username in the box that appears, then click Next. Windows will ask you to confirm — click Finish and your username changes when ready. You don't need to restart your computer.

This method works if you're using a Microsoft account (the kind you sign in with an email address) or a local account (one with just a username and password). The change takes effect the next time you sign out and back in, though you can keep working without signing out first.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app is the simplest route: go to Accounts, click Your info, then select Rename your account.
  • Your new username appears on the sign-in screen and in the Start menu when ready after you finish renaming.
  • If you're using a Microsoft account, the change syncs across all your devices that use the same account.
  • Renaming your account does not affect your files, programs, or passwords — everything stays in the same place.

What happens to your files and folders

Your username appears in the file path for your Documents, Downloads, Desktop, and Pictures folders. When you change your username through Settings, Windows updates the display name but keeps your actual user folder on the hard drive unchanged. This means your files stay exactly where they are.

If you open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users, you'll see the old folder name is still there — for example, if your old username was "JohnSmith" and you changed it to "John", the folder will still be called "JohnSmith". Windows just shows you "John" in Settings and on the sign-in screen. Your shortcuts and file paths continue to work without any problems.

Using Control Panel if Settings doesn't work

If the Rename your account button doesn't appear in Settings, you can use the older Control Panel method. Press the Windows key, type "control panel", and open it. Click User Accounts, then click User Accounts

Click Manage another account if you're changing someone else's account, or Change your account name if you're changing your own. Type the new name and click Rename. This method is less common now but works on every version of Windows 10.

Changing a local account vs. a Microsoft account

A local account is stored only on your computer. A Microsoft account is tied to an email address and syncs across devices. Both can be renamed using the Settings method above, and the process is identical.

If you use a Microsoft account and change your username on one Windows 10 computer, the change appears on any other device where you sign in with the same Microsoft account. Your email address itself doesn't change — only the display name that appears in Windows. You still sign in with your email address and password.

What you cannot change this way

Changing your username through Settings only changes the display name in Windows. It does not change your email address if you use a Microsoft account, and it does not change the actual user folder name on your hard drive (though Windows hides this from you).

If you need to change your Microsoft account email address, you must do that through the Microsoft account website, not through Windows. If you need to change the actual user folder name on your hard drive, that requires creating a new account and moving files manually — a more complex process that most people never need to do.

Troubleshooting if the rename button is missing

The Rename your account button may not appear if you're using a work or school account connected to a domain. These accounts are managed by your organization, and you typically cannot rename them from your own computer. Contact your IT department or help desk to request a username change.

If you're using a personal Microsoft account and the button still doesn't appear, try signing out completely and signing back in, then returning to Settings. If that doesn't work, restart your computer and try again. On rare occasions, a Windows update can temporarily hide this option until your system fully installs the update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username log me out of programs?

No. Your programs stay signed in and continue working. The username change is cosmetic — it only affects how your name appears in Windows, not your actual account permissions or program access.

Can I change my username back to the old one?

Yes, use the same Settings method and type your old username. Windows treats it as a new rename, so you can change it as many times as you want.

Does changing my username affect my password?

No. Your password stays the same. If you use a Microsoft account, you sign in with your email address and password regardless of what display name you choose.

What if I share my computer with other people?

Each person has their own account with their own username. Changing your username only affects your account and doesn't change anyone else's. Other users see their own usernames on the sign-in screen.

Can I change my username if I forgot my password?

No, you must sign in to your account first. If you've forgotten your password, reset it through the sign-in screen before attempting to rename your account.