The Two Ways to Change Your Username

Windows 10 gives you two paths to change your username on an HP laptop, and which one you use depends on what kind of account you have. If you sign in with a Microsoft account (the kind linked to an email address and a password you use across Microsoft services), you change the name through Settings. If you sign in with a local account (a username and password that exist only on this laptop), you use the same Settings menu but the process is slightly different. Both take about five minutes.

The reason this matters: a Microsoft account username change ripples across OneDrive, Outlook, and other Microsoft services tied to that email. A local account change affects only this laptop. Most HP laptops ship with a Microsoft account set up during first use, but not all.

Before you start, make sure you are signed in as an administrator — the account type that can change system settings. If you are not sure whether you are an administrator, open Settings, go to Accounts, and look at the account name. If it says "Administrator" underneath, you are set. If it does not, you will need an administrator to make this change for you.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft account usernames are changed in Settings under Accounts, and the change takes effect across all your Microsoft services.
  • Local account usernames are also changed in Settings under Accounts, but only affect this laptop.
  • You must be signed in as an administrator to change any username.
  • The username that appears on your sign-in screen is different from the folder name on your hard drive, and changing one does not automatically change the other.
  • If you forget your new username or get locked out, you can still sign in using your password or a recovery email.

Changing a Microsoft Account Username

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the Settings app. Go to Accounts on the left side, then click "Your info" at the top. You will see your current username and profile picture. Click "Manage your Microsoft account" — this opens a web page in your browser where Microsoft stores your account details.

On the Microsoft account page, look for "Your name" or "Edit name" near the top. Click it. You will see two fields: one for your first name and one for your last name. Type your new name into these fields. This is the name that will appear on your Windows sign-in screen and in the Start menu. Click "Save" when you are done. The change takes effect when ready, though you may need to sign out and sign back in to see it everywhere on your laptop.

If you want to change the email address associated with your Microsoft account instead of your display name, you can do that on the same page, but that is a separate process. For now, focus on the name fields.

Changing a Local Account Username

Open Settings and go to Accounts, then click "Other people" on the left side. You will see a list of all accounts on this laptop. Find the local account you want to rename and click it. Click "Rename" at the top. Type the new username into the box that appears and click "Next." Windows will ask you to confirm — click "Finish" and you are done.

The new username appears on your sign-in screen and in the Start menu right away. However, the folder where your files are stored (usually C:\Users\[old username]) keeps the old name. This does not cause problems — Windows knows where your files are — but if you want the folder name to match your new username, you will need to rename it manually using File Explorer. That is a separate task and not required for the account to work.

Why Your Username and Folder Name May Not Match

Windows separates your display username (what you see on the sign-in screen) from your user profile folder name (what you see in File Explorer under C:\Users\). When you change your username through Settings, only the display name changes. The folder keeps its original name to avoid breaking programs and shortcuts that point to the old folder path.

If you want them to match, you can rename the folder in File Explorer, but this requires a few extra steps and carries a small risk if you make a mistake. Most people leave the folder name alone — it does not affect how your laptop works. If you decide to rename the folder, do it only after you have changed your username and signed out completely.

What Happens If You Forget Your New Username

If you change your username and then forget it, you can still sign in using your password. On the sign-in screen, type your password into the field — Windows does not require you to type your username first. Once you are signed in, you can go back to Settings and check what your current username is, or change it again.

If you also forget your password, you have a recovery option. On the sign-in screen, click "I forgot my password." Windows will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number linked to your account. This works for Microsoft accounts. For local accounts, you will need to use a password reset disk (if you created one earlier) or contact an administrator who can reset it for you.

Troubleshooting: Changes Not Showing Up

If you changed your username but it still shows the old name on your sign-in screen or in the Start menu, try signing out and signing back in. Close all open programs, click the Start menu, click your profile picture in the top right, and select "Sign out." Wait a few seconds, then sign back in with your password. The new username should appear.

If it still does not show up after signing out and back in, restart your laptop. Press the Windows key, click the power icon, and select "Restart." After the restart, sign in again and check Settings to confirm the change took. In rare cases, a restart is needed for the change to fully explore across all parts of Windows.

If you are changing a Microsoft account username and the change is not showing up, make sure you actually clicked "Save" on the Microsoft account website. It is straightforward to type a new name and forget to save it. Go back to your Microsoft account page and double-check that the name you see there matches what you intended to change it to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username without signing out?

You can make the change while signed in, but you will not see it take effect everywhere until you sign out and sign back in. For a Microsoft account, the change happens on Microsoft's servers right away, but your laptop may still show the old name in some places until you restart. For a local account, sign out and back in to see the change everywhere.

Does changing my username affect my files or programs?

No. Your files stay in the same place, and your programs continue to work normally. The username change is cosmetic — it affects only what you see on the sign-in screen and in the Start menu. Programs do not care what your username is called.

What if I have multiple accounts on my HP laptop?

Each account has its own username, and you can change them independently. You must be signed in as an administrator to change any username, including your own. If you are not an administrator, ask whoever set up the laptop to make the change for you.

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

Yes. Go back to Settings and follow the same steps to change it again. There is no limit to how many times you can change your username. Just remember that if you changed a local account username, the user folder in File Explorer will still have the old name unless you manually renamed it.

Is my username the same as my password?

No. Your username is what identifies you on the sign-in screen. Your password is what proves it is really you. You can change your username without changing your password, and vice versa. They are separate things.