The Two Ways to Change Your Username

Windows 10 gives you two separate 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 linked to an email address and a password you use across Microsoft services), you change the username through the Microsoft account website. If you use a local account (one that exists only on your computer), you change it directly in Windows Settings. Both take about five minutes.

The reason for this split matters: a Microsoft account username is really your email address or a display name tied to Microsoft's servers, while a local account username is just a name stored on your computer. Changing one does not change the other. Your files and folders will not move or disappear either way — Windows keeps track of your account by an internal ID, not by the name you see on the login screen.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft account users change their username on the Microsoft account website, not in Windows Settings.
  • Local account users change their username directly in Windows Settings under Accounts.
  • Your files stay in the same place and remain accessible after you change your username.
  • If you forget which type of account you have, look at the Settings app — it will tell you whether you are signed in with an email address or a local username.
  • Changing your username does not affect your password or any of your saved data.

How to Change a Local Account Username

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click the Accounts icon (it looks like a person's head and shoulders). On the left side, click "Your info". You will see your current username displayed at the top of the page.

Click the blue "Manage my Microsoft account" button if you see it — that means you have a Microsoft account, and you should skip to the next section. If you do not see that button, you have a local account. Click "Rename your device" instead. Type the new username you want, then click "Next". Windows will ask you to sign out and sign back in for the change to take effect. Click "Sign out now", and when you log back in, your new username will be active.

How to Change a Microsoft Account Username

Go to account.microsoft.com in your web browser and sign in with your Microsoft account email and password. Click "Your info" on the left side. Under your profile picture, you will see your current display name. Click "Edit name" next to it.

Type your new first and last name in the boxes that appear. You can change just your first name, just your last name, or both. Click "Save" when you are done. The change takes effect when ready on the Microsoft website, but it may take a few minutes to show up on your Windows 10 login screen and in the Settings app. If it does not appear within 15 minutes, sign out of Windows and sign back in.

Note: changing your display name on the Microsoft account website does not change your email address or your username for signing in. Your email address stays the same, and that is what you will always use to log into Windows.

What Happens to Your Files and Folders

Your files do not move when you change your username. Windows stores your personal files in a folder with your old username in the path (for example, C:\Users\OldName\Documents), and that folder stays exactly where it is. You will still see all your files in the Documents, Pictures, Desktop, and Downloads folders after you change your username.

The only place you might notice a difference is if you were looking at the full file path in File Explorer. The path will still show your old username, not your new one. This is normal and does not mean anything is wrong. Windows keeps track of your account by an internal ID behind the scenes, so the old folder name does not affect your access to anything.

If You Cannot Find the Rename Option

If you are signed in with a work or school account (sometimes called an Azure AD account), the rename option may not appear in Settings. Work and school accounts are managed by your organization, not by you, so you will need to contact your IT department or help desk to change your username.

If you are not sure whether you have a work account, open Settings and go to Accounts > Your info. If you see text that says "Managed by [your organization name]" or "This device is managed by your organization", you have a work account. In that case, reach out to whoever manages your organization's computers.

Changing Your Password at the Same Time

Changing your username does not change your password. If you want to change your password as well, you can do that separately. For a local account, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, then click "Password" and follow the prompts. For a Microsoft account, go to account.microsoft.com, click "Security", then click "Change password" and enter your current password followed by your new password twice.

You do not have to change your password when you change your username, and changing one does not affect the other. Your password stays the same until you deliberately change it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username log me out of Windows?

For local accounts, yes — Windows will ask you to sign out so the change can take effect, and you will need to sign back in with your new username. For Microsoft accounts, no — the change happens in the background and you can stay signed in.

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

Yes. Follow the same steps you used to change it the first time, and type your old username. There is no limit to how many times you can change it.

What if I do not remember my current username?

Look at your Windows login screen — your username appears above the password box. You can also open Settings, go to Accounts > Your info, and your current username will be displayed at the top of the page.

Does changing my username affect my Microsoft password or sign-in email?

No. Your email address and password stay the same. The username change only affects the display name you see on your computer and in Microsoft services.

Why does my file path still show my old username?

Windows keeps your user folder with the old name for technical reasons — changing the folder name could break some programs. You can still access all your files normally, and the old folder name in the path does not affect anything you do.