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 that uses an email address), you change the name through Microsoft's website, and the change appears on your computer within a few minutes. If you use a local account (a username and password stored only on your computer), you change it directly in Windows Settings.

The reason for this split is that Microsoft accounts are tied to your email and cloud services, so Microsoft controls the name. Local accounts live only on your machine, so Windows controls them. You can tell which type you have by opening Settings, going to Accounts, and looking at the top of the left panel — it will say either your email address or a local username.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft account users change their username at account.microsoft.com, and the change syncs to Windows within minutes.
  • Local account users change their username in Windows Settings under Accounts > Your Info, then click "Rename your PC".
  • Changing your username does not affect your files, passwords, or installed programs — they stay exactly where they are.
  • If you forget which type of account you have, open Settings and check whether your sign-in shows an email address or a local name.

Changing a Microsoft Account Username

Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Sign in with the email address and password you use on Windows. Once you are logged in, look for "Your info" or "Account" in the left menu and click it.

Find the section that shows your name — it may say "Manage your Microsoft account name" or straightforward display your current name. Click the option to edit or change it. Type your new name into the field, then click Save. Windows will sync this change to your computer the next time you restart or within a few minutes if you stay signed in.

The name that appears on your Windows sign-in screen and in the Start menu will update automatically. Your files, folders, and installed programs remain untouched — only the display name changes.

Changing a Local Account Username

Press the Windows key and type "Settings", then open the Settings app. Click "Accounts" in the left panel, then click "Your info" at the top of the list on the right side.

Look for a button or link that says "Rename your PC" or "Change account name". Click it. A dialog box will appear with a text field showing your current username. Delete the old name, type the new one, and click "Next". Windows will ask you to confirm — click "Finish" to complete the change.

Your computer will not require a restart, though you may need to sign out and sign back in to see the new name everywhere. All your files, folders, and programs stay in their original locations and work exactly as before.

What Stays the Same After You Change Your Username

Your password does not change. You still sign in with the same password you used before — only the name displayed on the sign-in screen changes. Your user folder on the hard drive keeps its old name (for local accounts), so shortcuts and file paths that reference your old username may still work, though Windows handles most of this automatically.

Your installed programs, documents, downloads, desktop files, and everything in your user profile stay exactly where they are. Email accounts, browser bookmarks, saved passwords, and settings in individual programs are not affected. The change is purely cosmetic — it updates what you see, not how your computer works.

If You Cannot Find the Rename Option

On some computers, the rename option is hidden or disabled by a network administrator or group policy. If you do not see "Rename your PC" in Settings under Accounts > Your info, try right-clicking the Start button, selecting "System", and looking for a "Rename this PC" option there.

If that does not work either, your computer may be managed by a workplace or school network. Contact your IT department or administrator — they control whether you can change your username. For a personal computer, restart Windows in Safe Mode and try again, as some third-party software can block the rename function.

Changing Your Username Without Losing Access

Before you change your username, write down any file paths or shortcuts that include your old username. For local accounts, Windows stores your files in C:\Users\[YourOldUsername], and that folder name does not change automatically when you rename your account. Most programs and shortcuts update on their own, but custom batch files or scripts that reference the old path will break.

If you use a Microsoft account and sign in on multiple devices, the name change syncs across all of them within a few minutes. If you share your computer with other users, changing your username does not affect their accounts — each person's account is separate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username affect my Microsoft account or email?

No. Your Microsoft account email address stays the same — you use it to sign in. The username change only affects the display name shown on your Windows sign-in screen and Start menu. Your email, OneDrive, and other Microsoft services continue to work normally.

Can I change my username back if I do not like the new one?

Yes. Follow the same steps you used to change it the first time. For Microsoft accounts, go back to account.microsoft.com and edit your name again. For local accounts, open Settings > Accounts > Your info and click "Rename your PC" again. You can change it as many times as you want.

What if I forgot my password and cannot sign in to change my username?

For a Microsoft account, go to account.microsoft.com on another device and reset your password there — you do not need to be signed in to Windows. For a local account, you will need to reset your password through Windows itself, which requires security questions or a password reset disk created before you forgot the password.

Does changing my username delete any of my files?

No. Your documents, downloads, desktop, pictures, and all other files stay in place. The folder that holds them keeps its old name for local accounts, but Windows still knows where to find everything. Programs and shortcuts update automatically in most cases.

Can I change my username if my computer is part of a work network?

Not usually. Work and school networks are managed by administrators who control whether you can rename your account. Contact your IT department to request a username change — they may be able to do it for you or explain why it is not allowed.