The fastest way to change your username
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then select the Settings app. Go to Accounts in the left menu, then click Your info at the top. You'll see your current username displayed under "Who's using this PC right now?" — click the Rename your account button below it, type your new username, and click Next. Windows will ask you to sign out and back in to complete the change.
This method works for local accounts (usernames that exist only on your computer) and takes about two minutes. If you're signed into a Microsoft account instead, the process is slightly different and covered in the section below.
Key Takeaways
- Local account usernames change through Settings > Accounts > Your info > Rename your account, and take effect after you sign out and back in.
- Microsoft account usernames cannot be changed directly on your computer — you must change them through your Microsoft account online.
- Your username and your display name are separate; changing one does not automatically change the other.
- If you forget your new username after changing it, you can find it in Settings > Accounts > Your info or by opening File Explorer and looking at the folder path.
Changing a Microsoft account username
If you sign into Windows with a Microsoft account (one that uses an email address), you cannot change the username directly from your computer. Instead, go to account.microsoft.com in a web browser, sign in with your Microsoft account, and select Your info from the left menu.
Look for the section labeled Manage your Microsoft account and click Edit name. You can change your first and last name here, but not the email address itself — that stays the same. After you save the changes, sign out of Windows completely and sign back in. Your display name will update on your computer, though the underlying account email remains unchanged.
Understanding the difference between username and display name
Windows actually tracks two separate pieces of information: your username (the folder name in C:\Users\ and what appears in command prompts) and your display name (what shows on the sign-in screen and in Settings). When you rename a local account through Settings, you're changing the display name, and Windows updates the username to match.
For Microsoft accounts, the display name is what you control through your Microsoft account online, but the underlying username (the folder path) stays tied to your email address. This is why Microsoft account usernames cannot be fully changed — the email is permanent. If you need a completely different username and folder structure, you would need to create a new local account instead.
What happens to your files and programs after you change your username
Your files, documents, and installed programs remain exactly where they are. Windows keeps everything in your user folder (C:\Users\YourUsername\) and updates the folder name when you rename a local account. You won't lose access to anything, and your desktop, downloads, and documents will look the same after you sign back in.
Some programs that store settings in your user folder may need to be restarted to recognize the new username, but this happens automatically the first time you open them. If a program stops working after you change your username, restart your computer — this clears the program's memory of the old path and forces it to look in the new location.
Changing your username if you're locked out of Settings
If you cannot open Settings or you're locked out of your account, you can change the username through the Local Users and Groups tool. Press Windows key + R, type lusrmgr.msc, and press Enter. In the window that opens, click the Users folder on the left, right-click your account name in the list, and select Rename. Type your new username and press Enter.
This method requires administrator access on your computer. If you don't have administrator rights, you'll need to sign in as an administrator first or contact whoever set up your computer. After you rename the account this way, sign out completely and sign back in for the change to take effect.
Renaming an administrator account versus a standard account
You can rename any account on your computer — administrator or standard user — using the same Settings method. The only difference is that an administrator account has permission to change system settings and install programs, while a standard account does not. Renaming does not change which type of account you have.
If you're trying to rename someone else's account on a shared computer, you need administrator rights to do so. If you're the only person on the computer and you're not sure whether you're an administrator, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and look for the word "Administrator" under your username. If it's not there, you're using a standard account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my username affect my passwords or sign-in?
No. Your password stays the same, and you'll sign in the same way you always have. Changing your username only changes the name that displays on the sign-in screen and the name of your user folder. The credentials you use to sign in do not change.
Can I change my username back to what it was before?
Yes. Follow the same steps through Settings > Accounts > Your info > Rename your account and type your old username. Windows allows you to change your username as many times as you want. Each time you change it, you'll need to sign out and back in for the change to take effect.
What if two people on the same computer have similar usernames?
Each account on a computer must have a unique username. If you try to rename your account to a name that already exists, Windows will show an error message and ask you to choose a different name. You can use numbers or underscores to make the name unique — for example, "John_1" and "John_2".
Does changing my username change my email address?
No. If you're using a Microsoft account, your email address stays the same no matter what name you change. The email is permanent and tied to your account. If you're using a local account, there is no email address attached — only a username.
Why does my username still show the old name in some places?
Some programs cache your username in memory or in their own settings files. Restarting your computer usually fixes this. If a specific program still shows the old name after a restart, try closing and reopening that program. If it persists, the program may need to be reinstalled to recognize the new username path.