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 your profile picture. Click Rename your account and type your new username in the box that appears. Click Next, then Finish. Your computer will ask you to sign out — do that, and when you sign back in, your username will be changed.
This method works for local accounts (usernames stored on your computer) and takes about two minutes. If you use a Microsoft account to sign in instead, the process is slightly different and happens online rather than on your computer.
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 the same way — you must change them through your Microsoft account online at account.microsoft.com.
- Your username is what appears on the sign-in screen and in File Explorer; changing it does not affect your files or installed programs.
- If you forget your password after renaming, you can still reset it using a password reset disk or another administrator account on the same computer.
What happens to your files when you change your username
Your files stay exactly where they are. Windows stores your personal files in a folder named after your username (usually C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents), but changing your username does not move or rename that folder. You will still see all your documents, photos, and downloads in the same places.
Programs you have installed will continue to work. Your email, browser bookmarks, and saved passwords remain unchanged. The only visible difference is that your username appears differently on the sign-in screen and in the top-right corner of Windows when you are logged in.
Changing a Microsoft account username
If you sign into Windows using a Microsoft account (the email address you use for Outlook, OneDrive, or Xbox), you cannot change your username through Settings on your computer. Instead, go to account.microsoft.com in a web browser and sign in with your current Microsoft account password.
Click Your info on the left side, then look for the option to change your account name or display name. Microsoft calls this your "name" rather than your "username" — it is what appears in Windows and in Microsoft services like Outlook and OneDrive. After you change it online, sign out of Windows completely and sign back in. The new name will appear the next time you log in.
Your Microsoft account email address (the one you use to sign in) cannot be changed this way. If you need a different email address to sign in, you will need to create a new Microsoft account and switch to it on your computer.
Switching from a Microsoft account to a local account
If you want to use a straightforward local username instead of an email address, you can convert your Microsoft account to a local account. Open Settings, go to Accounts, then Your info. Scroll down and click Sign in with a local account instead. Windows will ask you to enter your Microsoft account password to confirm, then let you create a new local username and password.
After you complete this switch, you will no longer be able to use OneDrive, Microsoft Store, or other services that require a Microsoft account from this computer — you can still use them, but you will need to sign in separately each time. Your files will not be deleted, but they will no longer sync automatically to the cloud.
Renaming an administrator account versus a standard account
You can rename any account on your computer if you are signed in as an administrator. If you are signed in as a standard user, you can only rename your own account. To check whether your account is an administrator, open Settings, go to Accounts, then Other people. Look at the account list — if it says "Administrator" under your name, you have full permissions.
If you need to rename someone else's account and you are not an administrator, ask the administrator on your computer to do it for you. They can follow the same steps in Settings and choose any account from the list to rename.
What to do if the rename option is grayed out
If the Rename your account button does not respond when you click it, your account may be controlled by your workplace or school. Many organizations lock down Windows settings so employees or students cannot change their usernames. Contact your IT department or help desk — they can change it for you or explain whether it is allowed.
If you are using a personal computer and the button is still grayed out, try signing out completely and signing back in, then opening Settings again. Sometimes Windows needs a fresh login to show the rename option. If that does not work, restart your computer and try once more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my username affect my password?
No. Your password stays the same. You will sign in with the same password you used before, but your username on the sign-in screen will be different. If you want to change your password at the same time, you can do that separately in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password.
Can I change my username back to what it was before?
Yes. Follow the same steps and type your old username. Windows does not prevent you from reusing old usernames. You can change your username as many times as you want.
What if I have multiple accounts on my computer?
Each account has its own username. If you are an administrator, you can rename any account by going to Settings > Accounts > Other people, clicking the account you want to change, and selecting Rename. Standard users can only rename their own account.
Does changing my username change my computer's name on the network?
No. Your username and your computer's network name are separate. Your computer's name is what appears when other computers on your network look for shared files. To change that, go to Settings > System > About and click Rename this PC.