The Two Ways to Change Your Username

Windows 10 gives you two separate paths to change your username, and which one you use depends on what kind of account you have. The first method changes the name that appears on your sign-in screen and in the Start menu — this is what most people see and use every day. The second method changes the account name Windows uses internally for your user folder and file permissions, which is less visible but affects where your documents and settings live on the hard drive.

For most people, changing the display name (the first method) is all you need. It takes about two minutes and requires no restart. Changing the internal account name is more involved and usually only necessary if you are setting up a new computer or troubleshooting a specific problem.

Key Takeaways

  • The display name — what shows on your sign-in screen — changes through Settings in under two minutes and takes effect when ready.
  • The internal account name (your user folder name) requires the Control Panel and a restart, and cannot be changed if you are the only administrator on the machine.
  • If you have a Microsoft account rather than a local account, changing your display name syncs across all your Windows devices.
  • Changing your username does not affect your files, passwords, or installed programs — they stay exactly where they are.

Changing Your Display Name Through Settings

Open the Start menu and type Settings, then click the Settings app. Once it opens, click Accounts in the left sidebar. You should see your current username displayed at the top of the window next to your profile picture.

Click Your info if it is not already selected. You will see a button that says Rename your account — click it. A text box will appear with your current name highlighted. Delete the old name and type the new one, then click Next. Windows will ask you to confirm the change. Click Finish, and you are done. The new name appears on your sign-in screen the next time you restart, though it may show when ready in the Start menu.

If you are using a Microsoft account (the kind that syncs with Outlook or OneDrive), this change will sync to all your Windows devices within a few hours. If you are using a local account (one that only exists on this computer), the change happens only on this machine.

Changing Your Internal Account Name in Control Panel

The internal account name is the folder name that appears in C:\Users\ on your hard drive. Most people never need to change this, but if you do, the process is more involved. First, make sure you have a second administrator account on the machine — you cannot change the account name of your only admin account while logged in as that account.

If you do not have a second admin account, create one first. Go to Settings, click Accounts, then Family & other users, and click Add someone else to this PC. Follow the prompts to create a new account, then go back and make sure it is set to Administrator in the account type dropdown.

Once you have a second admin account, log out and sign in as that account. Open the Control Panel by right-clicking the Start button and selecting Run, typing control, and pressing Enter. Click User Accounts, then User AccountsManage another account. Select the account you want to rename. Click Change the account name, type the new name, and click Rename.

Restart your computer. When you log back in, your user folder will still have the old name, but Windows will recognize your account by the new name. If you need the folder name to match the account name exactly, you will need to rename the folder manually through File Explorer, which is a more advanced step — contact Microsoft support if you need help with that part.

What Happens to Your Files and Settings

Changing your username does not move, delete, or lock your files. Your Documents, Pictures, Desktop, and Downloads folders stay in the same place with all their contents intact. Your installed programs continue to work. Your passwords, browser history, and email accounts remain exactly as they were.

The only thing that changes is the name displayed on the sign-in screen and in the Start menu (if you use the Settings method), or the name of your user folder (if you use the Control Panel method). Everything else stays the same because Windows tracks your account by a unique identifier behind the scenes, not by the name you see.

Changing Your Username Back

If you change your mind, you can change your username again using the same method. There is no limit to how many times you can do this. Go back to Settings or Control Panel, follow the same steps, and enter your old name or a different name. The process is identical each time.

If you are locked out of your account or cannot remember your password, that is a separate problem from changing your username. You will need to use Windows password recovery tools or contact Microsoft support for help regaining access.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

If the Rename your account button does not appear in Settings, you may be using a child account or a work account managed by your organization. Child accounts can be renamed only by the parent or guardian through Family settings. Work accounts managed by your employer cannot be renamed through Windows — you will need to contact your IT department.

If you are trying to change the internal account name and get an error saying you cannot change the only administrator account, you must create a second admin account first and log in as that account before attempting the rename. If you have forgotten the password to your second admin account, you will need to reset it through Settings before you can proceed.

If your new username does not appear when ready after restarting, wait a few minutes and restart again. Sometimes Windows takes a second restart to fully explore the change, especially on older machines or if you have many programs running in the background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username affect my Microsoft account or password?

No. Your password stays the same, and your Microsoft account login remains unchanged. If you have a Microsoft account, the display name change syncs to that account, but your email address and password work exactly as before.

Can I change my username if I forgot my password?

You need to be logged in to change your username. If you have forgotten your password, you must reset it first through the sign-in screen or through another admin account. Once you can log in, you can change your username.

What is the difference between display name and account name?

The display name is what you see on the sign-in screen and Start menu. The account name is the folder name in C:\Users\ and is used internally by Windows. Most people only need to change the display name. The account name matters only if you are troubleshooting file permissions or setting up a new computer.

Do I need to restart my computer to change my username?

If you change the display name through Settings, no restart is required, though the change may not appear everywhere until you restart. If you change the internal account name through Control Panel, a restart is necessary for the change to take effect.

Can multiple people on the same computer have the same username?

No. Each account on the machine must have a unique display name. Windows will not let you create or rename an account to a name that already exists on that computer.