The quickest way: Settings app

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Go to Accounts in the left sidebar, then select Your info. At the top of the page you'll see your current username under your profile picture. Click the Rename your device button.

Type your new username — Windows allows letters, numbers, and some symbols, but spaces and special characters like @ or # will be rejected. Click Next, then Finish. Windows will ask you to restart your computer. Save any open work, then restart.

After restart, your new username appears on the sign-in screen and in the Start menu. This method changes the display name that appears throughout Windows, and it's the one most people need.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app method (Accounts > Your info > Rename your device) is the standard way and works for most users without technical knowledge.
  • Your computer must restart after you change the username, so close your work first.
  • Windows usernames cannot contain spaces or special characters like @, #, or !, so keep it to letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores.
  • If you're changing the username on a work computer, check with your IT department first — some organizations lock this setting.
  • Changing your username does not affect your files, passwords, or installed programs; they stay exactly where they are.

What happens to your files and programs

Your documents, photos, downloads, and desktop shortcuts all stay in place. Windows keeps them in a folder tied to your user account, and that folder moves with you when you change the name. You won't lose anything, and you won't have to reinstall programs.

Your passwords for websites and apps are stored separately from your username and remain unchanged. If you use Windows Hello (face or fingerprint sign-in), that continues to work. If you use a PIN or password to sign in, those stay the same too.

If Settings doesn't show the rename option

Some computers — especially those managed by a workplace or school — have the rename option hidden by administrators. If you click Your info and don't see a Rename your device button, your account doesn't have permission to make this change.

Contact your IT department or system administrator and ask them to enable the rename option, or ask them to change the username for you. If this is your personal computer and you still don't see the button, try restarting Windows and checking again — sometimes the option appears after a system update.

Using the Control Panel method (older but still works)

If the Settings app method doesn't work for you, the Control Panel offers an alternative. Press the Windows key, type "control panel", and press Enter. Select User Accounts, then User Accounts again (it appears twice).

Click Change your account name on the left side. Type your new username and click Rename. Restart your computer when prompted. This method produces the same result as the Settings app — it's just an older interface to the same system.

Changing a different user's username

If you're an administrator on the computer and need to change someone else's username, open Settings and go to Accounts > Other people. Find the account you want to change, click it, then click Rename. You don't need their password to do this.

The person using that account will see the new name the next time they sign in. Their files and settings don't move or change — only the name displayed in Windows changes.

Why you might want to change your username

People change their Windows username for several reasons: they got married and want a different last name, they set up the account with a temporary name and now want something permanent, or they inherited a computer with someone else's name on it. Some people change it for privacy — using initials instead of a full name, for example.

Changing the username is purely cosmetic from Windows's perspective. It doesn't affect security, performance, or how the computer works. It's one of the few settings you can change and then change back without any consequences.

What to do if you forget your username

Your username appears on the Windows sign-in screen, so you can always see it there. It also shows in the Start menu when you click your profile picture. If you're already signed in and can't remember what you named the account, open Settings > Accounts > Your info and look at the top of the page.

If you're locked out of your account entirely, you'll need to use another administrator account to sign in, or you may need to restart Windows in Safe Mode. This is a different problem from forgetting your username — contact Microsoft Support or a local computer repair shop if you can't sign in at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username affect my email or Microsoft account?

No. Your Windows username is separate from your Microsoft account email address. If you sign in with a Microsoft account (your email address), that email stays the same. The username change only affects what appears on your computer's sign-in screen and Start menu.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my new username?

Windows rejects spaces and most special characters like @, #, $, and %. You can use letters, numbers, hyphens (-), underscores (_), and periods (.). If you try to use a forbidden character, Windows will show an error and ask you to pick a different name.

Do I need to restart when ready after changing my username?

Yes. Windows requires a restart to explore the change fully. You can wait a few hours if you need to finish work, but the new username won't appear until you restart. Save your open files first — restarting will close any programs that are running.

What if my computer is part of a domain at work?

Work computers connected to a domain usually don't allow employees to change their own username. Your IT department controls this setting. Contact them and explain what you need — they can change it for you or explain why it's locked.

Can I change my username back to the old one?

Yes, anytime. Just follow the same steps and type your old username (or any other name). Windows treats each change the same way, so you can rename your account as many times as you want without any problems.