The fastest way: Settings on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Go to Accounts in the left menu, then click Your info at the top. You will see your current username displayed under your profile picture. Click the blue Rename your account button.

Type your new username in the box that appears. Windows will accept most combinations of letters, numbers, spaces, and common symbols — avoid only the characters @ \ / : * ? " < > |, which Windows reserves for system use. Click Next, then Finish. You do not need to restart when ready, but you will need to sign out and sign back in before the change takes effect everywhere on your computer.

This method changes only the display name that appears on your sign-in screen and in Settings. It does not change your user folder name on your hard drive, which stays the same. If you need the folder name changed as well, you will need the second method below.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings method (Accounts > Your info > Rename your account) is the simplest way and works on Windows 10 and 11 without restarting.
  • Changing your username in Settings only changes the display name — your user folder on the hard drive keeps its original name.
  • If you need to change the folder name itself, you must create a new administrator account, then use the old account to rename the folder in File Explorer.
  • You cannot rename the account you are currently signed into; you must sign out first or use a different administrator account.
  • After any username change, sign out completely and sign back in to see the change reflected in all programs and file locations.

Changing the user folder name (the harder method)

If you want the folder in C:\Users\ to match your new username, the process is more involved because Windows will not let you rename a folder while you are logged into that account. You need a second administrator account to do the renaming.

First, create a new administrator account. Go to Settings > Accounts > Other people > Add account. Choose I don't have this person's sign-in information, then Add a user without a Microsoft account. Give it a temporary name like "Admin2" and a password you will remember. After it is created, go back to Other people, click the new account, and click Change account type. Set it to Administrator.

Sign out of your main account and sign into the new administrator account. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\. Right-click the folder with your old username and select Rename. Type your new username and press Enter. Windows may ask for permission — click Continue. Sign back into your main account. The folder name is now changed, and Windows will recognize it as your user folder.

Once you confirm everything works, you can delete the temporary administrator account. Go to Settings > Accounts > Other people, click the temporary account, and click Delete. Choose Delete account and data if you want to remove it completely.

What happens to your files and programs

Changing your username does not move or delete your files. Everything in your Documents, Downloads, Desktop, and other user folders stays exactly where it is. Programs you have installed will continue to work normally.

Some programs store settings tied to your old username in the registry (Windows' internal database). These programs may not notice the change, or they may ask you to sign in again the next time you open them. This is normal and not a problem — just sign in as you normally would. A few older programs may behave oddly, but restarting your computer usually fixes this.

If you cannot see the Rename button

The Rename your account button only appears if you are signed into an administrator account. If you see "Your account" but no rename option, your account does not have administrator rights. Ask whoever set up your computer to either give your account administrator status or to rename it for you.

If you are on a work or school computer, your username may be locked by your organization's IT department. In that case, contact your IT support — they control whether the rename is allowed.

Undoing a username change

There is no "undo" button for a username change, but you can change it again to whatever you want. Go back to Settings > Accounts > Your info > Rename your account and type a different name. You can do this as many times as you need.

If you changed the folder name using the second method and want to change it back, you will need to repeat that process: create a temporary administrator account, sign into it, rename the folder in C:\Users\ back to the old name, then delete the temporary account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username affect my Microsoft account or email?

No. Your Microsoft account email stays the same. The username change only affects what appears on your Windows sign-in screen and in your user folder. Your email, password, and all account recovery options remain unchanged.

Can I change my username while other people are signed into the computer?

You can change the display name in Settings at any time. However, if you want to change the folder name in C:\Users\, all other accounts must be signed out first. Windows will not let you rename a folder that another account is actively using.

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

You will need to sign in first. If you have forgotten your password, use another administrator account to reset it, or use your Microsoft account password recovery on the sign-in screen. Once you are signed in, you can change your username.

Does changing my username change my WiFi or network passwords?

No. Your WiFi passwords, saved network credentials, and all other passwords remain stored and active. Windows keeps these separately from your username.

Will my old username still appear anywhere after I change it?

The folder in C:\Users\ will still show the old name unless you use the second method to rename it. Some very old files or shortcuts may reference the old path, but Windows will usually redirect them automatically. If a program stops working, restarting it usually fixes the issue.