How to Change Your Username and Password in Windows 10

Change Your Username in Windows 10 Settings

The fastest way to change your Windows 10 username is through Settings. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then click the Settings app. Go to Accounts, then select Your info from the left menu. At the top of the screen, you'll see your current username. Click Rename your account and type the new name you want. Windows will ask you to confirm — click Next, then Finish. The change takes effect when ready, though you may need to sign out and back in to see it everywhere.

This method works for any account type on your computer. The new username appears on the sign-in screen, in File Explorer, and in Settings. If you're changing the name of an administrator account, you'll need to be signed in as an administrator to make the change.

If you don't see a Rename your account button, your account is a Microsoft account rather than a local account. For Microsoft accounts, you'll need to change the name through your Microsoft account online instead — go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and look for the option to change your profile name.

Key Takeaways

Open Settings, go to Accounts, select Your info, and click Rename your account to change your username in Windows 10.
Your new username appears on the sign-in screen and throughout Windows when ready after you confirm the change.
If you have a Microsoft account linked to Windows, you'll need to change the name through your Microsoft account online instead of in Settings.
To change your password, go to Accounts in Settings, select Sign-in options, and choose Change under Password.
If you forget your password, you can reset it using a password reset disk, a PIN, or your Microsoft account recovery options.

Change Your Password in Windows 10 Settings

To change your Windows password, open Settings and go to Accounts. Click Sign-in options on the left menu. Under the Password section, click Change. Windows will ask you to enter your current password first — type it and click Next. Then type your new password twice (once to enter it, once to confirm it matches), add a password hint if you want one, and click Next. Click Finish to save the change.

Your new password takes effect when ready. The next time you sign in to Windows, use the new password instead of the old one. Make sure your new password is something you can remember — if you forget it, recovering access is more difficult than changing it now.

If you have a Microsoft account, you can also change your password online at account.microsoft.com. Changes made there will sync to your Windows 10 computer within a few minutes. This is useful if you want to change your password from another device or if you're having trouble changing it through Windows Settings.

Create a Password Reset Disk Before You Need It

A password reset disk is a USB drive or external drive that lets you reset your Windows password if you forget it. To create one, open Settings, go to Accounts, and click Sign-in options. Scroll down to the Password section and click I forgot my password. Windows will walk you through creating a reset disk on a USB drive. Keep this drive in a safe place — you can use it to create a new password if you ever get locked out.

Creating a reset disk takes about five minutes and requires a USB drive with at least 500 MB of free space. You only need to create one reset disk per account — if you change your password later, the same disk will still work.

Use a PIN as an Alternative to a Password

Windows 10 lets you sign in with a PIN (a four-digit or longer number) instead of a password. A PIN is faster to type and works only on your specific computer, making it more find than a password you might use on multiple sites. To set up a PIN, go to Settings, click Accounts, then Sign-in options. Under PIN, click Add, enter your current password to confirm your identity, and then create a new PIN.

You can use both a password and a PIN on the same account — Windows will let you choose which one to use at the sign-in screen. If you forget your PIN, you can reset it using your password or your password reset disk.

Reset Your Password If You've Forgotten It

If you can't remember your Windows password, you have several options depending on what you set up beforehand. If you created a password reset disk, insert it into your computer, click Reset password on the sign-in screen, and follow the prompts. If you have a Microsoft account, click I forgot my password on the sign-in screen and follow the recovery steps — you'll need access to the email address or phone number linked to your account.

If you don't have a reset disk and can't recover your Microsoft account, you'll need to reset Windows 10 entirely. This erases your files and programs, so it's a last resort. Go to another computer, create a Windows 10 installation USB drive using the Windows Media Creation Tool, boot from that drive on your locked computer, and choose the option to reset Windows. You'll lose your files unless you have a backup.

This is why creating a password reset disk or setting up a PIN is worth doing now — it takes five minutes and saves you hours of trouble later.

Change Username and Password on a Work or School Account

If your Windows 10 computer is connected to a work or school network, your username and password may be managed by your organization rather than by you. In this case, you'll see a message in Settings saying your account is managed by your organization. To change your password, contact your IT department or help desk — they control the password policy and can walk you through the process.

Some organizations let you change your password through a web portal or a separate process. Ask your IT support team where to do this. Changing your password through Settings may not work if your account is managed by your organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username affect my files or programs?

No. Your files, programs, and settings stay exactly where they are. The username change only affects how your account is labeled on the sign-in screen and in Settings. You may see a brief delay the first time you sign in after the change, but everything else works normally.

Can I change my username to something with special characters or spaces?

Windows allows spaces and most special characters in usernames, but some characters like asterisks, question marks, and forward slashes are not allowed. If you try to use a forbidden character, Windows will tell you and ask you to choose a different name.

What's the difference between changing my password in Windows and changing it on Microsoft.com?

If you have a local account (not linked to Microsoft), you can only change your password in Windows Settings. If you have a Microsoft account, you can change it either in Windows Settings or on account.microsoft.com — both work, and changes sync between them within a few minutes.

Do I need to change my password regularly for security?

Changing your password occasionally is reasonable, but security experts now recommend using a strong password and changing it only if you think it's been compromised. A strong password — one that's long and uses a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols — matters more than how often you change it.

What happens to my old username if I change it?

Your old username is deleted and cannot be recovered. Windows assigns your account a unique ID number behind the scenes, so your files and settings stay linked to your account regardless of what name you give it. If you change your mind, you can change the username again to something else.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.