The fastest way to change your username

The quickest path is through Settings on Windows 10 or 11. Open Settings, go to Accounts, then Your info, and click Rename your account. Type the new name you want, click Next, then Finish. Windows will ask you to restart your computer — do that, and your username changes when ready.

This method works for any account type and takes about two minutes. The new name appears on your sign-in screen, your Start menu, and anywhere else Windows displays your account name. Your files stay exactly where they are, and you do not lose any programs or settings.

If you cannot find Rename your account in Settings, your account may be a work or school account managed by an organisation. Those accounts have different rules, and you will need to contact your IT department or administrator instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, go to Accounts, then Your info, and click Rename your account to change your username in Windows 10 or 11.
  • The change takes effect after you restart your computer and shows up on your sign-in screen and Start menu.
  • Work or school accounts cannot be renamed through Settings — contact your IT administrator if your account is managed by an organisation.
  • Renaming your account does not affect your files, programs, or any data stored on your computer.
  • If you need to change the folder name that Windows created for your account, you must use the Local Users and Groups tool or rename it manually through File Explorer.

What happens to your files and folders when you rename

Your username change does not move or delete anything. All your documents, photos, downloads, and desktop files stay in the same place. Programs you installed continue to work. Your email, browser bookmarks, and saved passwords all remain unchanged.

However, Windows creates a folder for your account when you first set it up — usually something like C:\Users\YourOldName. When you rename your account through Settings, Windows keeps that folder name the same. This means your account name and your folder name no longer match, which is usually fine and causes no problems.

If you want the folder name to match your new username, you have to rename it manually. This is more involved and requires you to log in as a different administrator account first, so most people skip this step.

Renaming the user folder to match your new username

If your old folder name bothers you, you can rename it, but you cannot do it while you are logged into that account. You need a second administrator account to make the change.

First, create a new administrator account or use an existing one if you have it. Log out of your main account and sign in as the other administrator. Open File Explorer and go to C:\Users. Right-click the folder with your old username and select Rename. Type the new name to match your account, then press Enter. Windows may ask for permission — click Yes.

Log back into your main account. Everything works the same, but now your folder name matches your username. If something goes wrong during this step, you can always log back in as the other administrator and rename the folder back to what it was.

Changing a username on a work or school account

If your account is managed by your employer or school, the Settings method will not show a rename option. These accounts are controlled by your organisation's network, and only an administrator there can change your username.

Contact your IT department or help desk and ask them to change your username. They will need to make the change on their end, and it may take a few hours or a day to show up on your computer. In the meantime, your account continues to work normally.

Some organisations do not allow username changes at all, or they have specific rules about what names are allowed. Your IT department can tell you whether a change is possible and what the process looks like.

Troubleshooting if the rename option does not appear

If you open Settings and cannot find Rename your account, the most common reason is that your account is a work or school account. Check by going to Settings, then Accounts, then Your info. If it says "Managed by [your organisation]" or "Connected to [organisation] domain", you need to contact your IT administrator.

Another reason the option might not appear is if you are using a Microsoft account but have not signed in recently. Try signing out completely and signing back in with your Microsoft password. Then return to Settings and try again.

If you are using a local account (one that is not connected to a Microsoft account or an organisation), the rename option should always be there. If it is still missing, restart your computer and try again.

The difference between account name and display name

Windows actually has two names for your account: the account name (what you see on the sign-in screen) and the display name (what appears in the Start menu and other places). When you use the Settings method, you are changing both at the same time.

In rare cases, these two names can get out of sync. If you see your old name in one place and your new name in another, wait a few hours for Windows to catch up. If it does not, restart your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username affect my Microsoft account or email?

No. Your Microsoft account email address stays the same. Your Windows username is separate from your Microsoft account. You can change one without affecting the other.

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

Yes. Go back to Settings, Accounts, Your info, and click Rename your account again. Type your old name and restart. There is no limit to how many times you can rename.

What if I share my computer with other people?

Each person has their own account, and changing your username does not affect anyone else's account. Other users will see your new name on the sign-in screen, but their own usernames and files stay exactly the same.

Do I need to restart my computer right away after renaming?

Windows will prompt you to restart. You can restart when ready or wait until later, but the new name does not take full effect until you do restart. It is usually easiest to restart right away.

What if I renamed my account but the folder name is still the old one?

This is normal. Windows keeps the original folder name to avoid breaking programs or settings that reference it. If you want to rename the folder too, follow the steps in the "Renaming the user folder" section above.