The two ways to change your Windows 10 username

Windows 10 lets you change your username in two places, and which one you use depends on what kind of account you have. If you sign in with a Microsoft account (the one tied to outlook.com, hotmail.com, or another Microsoft email), you change your display name through Microsoft's website, not through Windows itself. If you use a local account (a username and password that exist only on your computer), you change it directly in Windows Settings.

The display name is what appears on your lock screen and in the Start menu. Changing it does not affect your email address, your password, or any of your files. It is purely cosmetic — a label Windows shows other people who use the same computer.

The steps take about five minutes either way. You do not need administrator permission if you are changing your own account, but you will need it if you are changing someone else's account on a shared computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft account users change their display name at account.microsoft.com, not in Windows Settings.
  • Local account users change their username directly in Windows Settings under Accounts.
  • Changing your username does not change your password, email, or any files on your computer.
  • You need administrator permission only if you are changing another person's account on a shared computer.
  • The change takes effect when ready, but you may need to sign out and back in to see it everywhere.

Changing a Microsoft account display name

Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Sign in with the email address and password you use to sign into Windows. Click Your info in the left sidebar.

Under your profile picture, you will see your current display name. Click Edit name. Type your new first name and last name in the boxes provided. Click Next, then Save. Windows will ask you to confirm your identity — you may need to enter a code sent to your email or phone number.

Once you confirm, the change is complete. The new name will appear on your lock screen and Start menu the next time you sign out and back in, though it may show your old name in some places until you restart your computer.

Changing a local account username in Windows Settings

Right-click the Start button (the Windows logo in the bottom left corner) and select Settings. You can also press the Windows key and type "Settings" and press Enter.

In Settings, click Accounts on the left side. Click Your info at the top. You will see your current username displayed. Click Rename your device — note that this renames the computer itself, not your user account. Instead, look for a link or button that says Manage my Microsoft account or Sign in with a Microsoft account instead.

If you see neither of those options, your account is a local account. Click the Start button again and type "netplwiz" and press Enter. In the window that opens, click your account name to highlight it, then click Rename. Type your new username and click OK, then explore, then OK again. You will need to sign out and back in for the change to take full effect.

What happens to your files and settings after 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\[your username]\Documents), but changing your username does not move or rename that folder. You can still access all your files the same way you did before.

Your passwords, saved Wi-Fi networks, and program settings all remain unchanged. The only thing that changes is the label that appears on your lock screen and in the Start menu. If you are on a work network, your network login may be separate from your Windows username, so check with your IT department before making changes.

Changing another person's account on a shared computer

If you are the administrator on the computer and want to change someone else's username, you need their permission and their password. Ask them to sign out first, then sign in with your administrator account.

Open Settings, click Accounts, then Other people. Click the account you want to rename, then click Rename. Type the new name and click Next. If the account is a Microsoft account, you will be directed to the Microsoft website instead, where only that person can make the change themselves.

For local accounts, the rename takes effect when ready. Tell the person whose account you changed so they know what to expect when they sign back in.

Troubleshooting: when the rename does not stick

If you changed your username but it still shows the old name in some places, sign out completely and sign back in. Some Windows features cache the old name and do not refresh until you log out.

If you are using a Microsoft account and the change is not showing up after 24 hours, sign out of Windows, then sign back in. Open Settings and go to Accounts > Your info and look for a Sync button. Click it to force Windows to pull the latest information from Microsoft's servers.

If you renamed a local account using netplwiz and now cannot sign in, restart your computer in Safe Mode and try the rename again, or contact your computer manufacturer's support line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my username change my password?

No. Your password stays the same. You sign in with the same password you used before, even though your username is different. If you want to change your password at the same time, you can do that separately in Settings under Accounts > Sign-in options.

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Yes. Follow the same steps you used to change it the first time. There is no limit to how many times you can rename your account. Just remember that some programs may have saved your old username in their settings, so you may need to update those manually.

What if I forgot which type of account I have?

Open Settings and go to Accounts > Your info. If you see your email address and a picture from your Microsoft account, you have a Microsoft account. If you see only a username with no email address, you have a local account.

Will changing my username affect my Microsoft Office or OneDrive?

No. Office and OneDrive are tied to your email address, not your Windows username. Changing your display name does not affect either one. Your files in OneDrive will still be there, and Office will still recognize your subscription.

Do I need to change my username on my other devices?

Only if you want to. If you use the same Microsoft account on multiple computers, changing the display name on one device changes it on all of them automatically. If you use different local accounts on different computers, you would need to rename each one separately.