The Two Ways to Change Your Username in Windows 8

Windows 8 gives you two paths to change your username, and which one you use depends on what kind of account you have. If you sign in with a Microsoft account (the kind that uses an email address), you change the username through the Microsoft website, not through Windows itself. If you use a local account (a username and password stored only on your computer), you change it directly in Windows Settings.

The reason matters: a Microsoft account username is really your email address, and changing it affects your entire Microsoft account across all devices. A local account username is just what appears on your Windows login screen and in Windows itself. Most people with Windows 8 use a Microsoft account because Windows 8 pushes you toward one during setup, but not everyone.

The first step is figuring out which type you have. Open the Settings charm by pressing Windows key + I, then click "Change PC Settings". Go to "Users" on the left. If your account shows an email address next to your name, you have a Microsoft account. If it shows just a username with no @ symbol, you have a local account.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft account usernames are changed on the Microsoft website, not in Windows, because they are tied to your email address across all devices.
  • Local account usernames are changed directly in Windows Settings under Users, and the change affects only that computer.
  • You must be signed in as an administrator to change any username in Windows 8.
  • Changing a Microsoft account username takes effect the next time you sign in, while a local account change is when ready.

Changing a Local Account Username

If you have a local account, the change happens entirely in Windows. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then click "Change PC Settings". Click "Users" on the left side. You will see your account listed with the current username next to it.

Click on your account name. A button labeled "Rename" will appear. Click it, type the new username you want, then click "Next". Windows will ask you to confirm. The new name takes effect when ready — the next time you look at the login screen, you will see the new username.

One important note: if you have files or folders that Windows created with your old username in the path (for example, C:\Users\OldName\Documents), those paths do not automatically update. The folder itself keeps the old name. You can rename the folder manually if you want, but Windows will not do it for you. Most people leave it as is because Windows still finds your files correctly.

Changing a Microsoft Account Username

If your account is tied to a Microsoft email address, you cannot change the username from Windows 8 itself. Instead, you go to the Microsoft account website. Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Sign in with your current Microsoft account email and password.

Click "Your info" or "Edit profile" (the exact wording varies depending on when Microsoft last updated the page). Look for an option to change your email address or username. Microsoft calls this your "account name". Click the option to change it, then enter the new email address you want to use. Microsoft will send a verification code to your current email to confirm the change is really you.

Once you confirm the change on the Microsoft website, sign out of Windows completely. The next time you sign in, use your new Microsoft account email address as your username. Windows will recognize it as the same account and all your files and settings will be there.

What Happens to Your Files and Settings

Changing your username does not move or delete any of your files. Your Documents, Pictures, Desktop, and Downloads folders stay exactly where they are. Windows knows where to find them based on your account, not based on the username you type at login.

Your settings, installed programs, and saved passwords also stay with your account. If you change a local account username, everything remains on that computer. If you change a Microsoft account username, everything syncs across any other devices you sign into with that account.

The only place you might notice a difference is in file paths and folder names. As mentioned above, if Windows created a folder with your old username in the path, the folder name does not change automatically. But Windows still finds your files correctly, so this is purely cosmetic.

If You Forgot Your Password or Cannot Sign In

If you cannot remember your password, you cannot change your username until you regain access to your account. For a local account, you will need to use another administrator account on the same computer, or reset Windows. For a Microsoft account, you can reset your password at account.microsoft.com without signing in — click "Can't access your account" and follow the steps.

If you are locked out of Windows entirely and have no other administrator account, the process becomes more complicated and usually requires a Windows installation disc or USB drive. This is a security feature to prevent someone else from changing your account without your permission.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

If the "Rename" button does not appear, you are probably not signed in as an administrator. Only an administrator account can change usernames. If you have a standard account, ask whoever set up the computer to change the username for you, or have them make your account an administrator first.

If you changed your Microsoft account email address on the website but Windows still asks for the old email at login, sign out completely and wait a few minutes. Microsoft's servers sometimes take a moment to sync the change. Then try signing in again with the new email address.

If you changed a local account username and now a program says it cannot find a file, the program is probably looking in the old folder path. You can usually fix this by telling the program where the file actually is, or by reinstalling the program so it creates new paths with the new username.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username without signing out?

For a local account, you can change it while signed in — Windows handles the switch in the background. For a Microsoft account, you must change it on the website, and then sign out and back in for Windows to recognize the new name.

Will changing my username affect my Microsoft Office or OneDrive?

No. Microsoft Office and OneDrive are tied to your Microsoft account email, not to your Windows username. Changing your Windows username does not touch them. If you change your Microsoft account email address itself, those services will follow the change automatically.

What if I share a computer with other people?

Each person has their own account and can change their own username independently. Changing one person's username does not affect anyone else's account or files. You must be signed in as an administrator to change any username.

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

Yes. The process is exactly the same — go to Settings and click Rename (for local accounts) or go to the Microsoft website (for Microsoft accounts). You can change your username as many times as you want.

Does changing my username change my computer name?

No. Your Windows username and your computer name are two separate things. Changing your username does not change what your computer is called on a network. If you need to change your computer name, that is a different setting in System Properties.