The fastest way to change your username
Open Settings, go to Accounts, then Your info, and click Rename your device. Type your new username and click Next. Windows will ask you to restart — do that, and your new username appears on the sign-in screen and in File Explorer.
This method works only if you are signed in as an administrator. If you are not sure whether you have administrator rights, try it anyway — Windows will tell you if you do not have permission and suggest the alternative route below.
The change takes effect when ready after restart. Any files you already own stay in your user folder, and programs you have installed continue to work. Your password does not change.
Key Takeaways
- The Settings app is the simplest route: go to Accounts, Your info, and click Rename your device.
- You must be signed in as an administrator to change your own username through Settings.
- If you do not have administrator rights, you need someone with admin access to change it for you, or you can create a new admin account and transfer your files.
- Changing your username does not affect your password, files, or installed programs.
- Windows requires a restart to explore the change, and the new name appears on the sign-in screen when ready after.
What happens to your files and folders when you change your username
Your user folder — the one that holds your Documents, Downloads, Desktop, and Pictures — keeps its old name on the hard drive. Windows creates a link between your new username and that old folder, so you see your files in the right place even though the folder name has not changed.
This means you do not lose anything, and you do not have to move files around. Programs that look for files in your user folder find them without any trouble. The only place you might notice the old folder name is if you open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users — you will see the original folder name there, but Windows still treats it as yours.
If you want the folder name to match your new username exactly, you would need to create a new account, copy all your files over, and delete the old account — a much longer process that most people do not need to do.
Changing your username if you do not have administrator rights
If you click Rename your device and Windows says you do not have permission, you need an administrator to make the change for you. Ask whoever set up the computer to sign in with their admin account, open Settings, go to Accounts, click Other people, find your account, and click Rename.
Alternatively, if no one else is available or willing, you can create a new administrator account for yourself. Sign in to any admin account on the computer, open Settings, go to Accounts, click Other people, and select Add someone else to this PC. Create the new account with the username you want. Once it is set up, sign out and sign back in with your new admin account.
After that, you can transfer your files from the old account to the new one. Open File Explorer, navigate to C:\Users, and copy your Documents, Downloads, Desktop, and Pictures folders from the old account folder to the new one. You can then delete the old account through Settings if you no longer need it.
Using Command Prompt if Settings does not work
If the Settings method does not open or gives you an error, you can change your username through Command Prompt. Right-click the Start button, select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin), and type this command: wmic useraccount where name="oldusername" rename newusername. Replace "oldusername" with your current username and "newusername" with what you want it to be.
Press Enter and Windows will confirm the change. You will need to restart your computer for the new username to appear on the sign-in screen. This method requires administrator rights, just like the Settings route.
If you are not comfortable using Command Prompt, stick with the Settings method — it does the same thing without typing commands.
Changing your username on a Microsoft account versus a local account
Windows 10 supports two types of accounts: local accounts and Microsoft accounts. A local account is stored only on your computer and has no connection to Microsoft's servers. A Microsoft account is linked to your Outlook, Hotmail, or other Microsoft email address.
If you are signed in with a Microsoft account, changing your username through Settings changes only the display name that appears on your computer — it does not change your email address or your Microsoft account itself. The email address you use to sign in stays the same.
If you are signed in with a local account, the steps above explore directly. You can tell which type you have by opening Settings, going to Accounts, and looking at Your info. If it shows an email address, you have a Microsoft account. If it shows only a username, you have a local account.
Troubleshooting if the rename does not stick
Occasionally Windows will not save the username change on the first try. If you restart and your old username still appears on the sign-in screen, try the process again. Make sure you are signed in as an administrator and that no other user accounts are signed in at the same time.
If the problem persists, restart your computer in Safe Mode and try again. Restart your computer, and as it starts up, press F8 repeatedly until you see the boot menu. Select Safe Mode, sign in, and repeat the Settings steps. Safe Mode disables some background processes that might interfere with the change.
If you still cannot change it through Settings, the Command Prompt method usually works. If neither method works, your account may not have the permissions it needs, and you should ask an administrator to make the change for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my username log me out?
No. You stay signed in while you make the change. Windows asks you to restart your computer, and when you sign back in, your new username appears on the sign-in screen. Your password remains the same.
Can I change my username back to what it was before?
Yes. Follow the same steps and type your old username. There is no limit to how many times you can change it. Each change requires a restart.
Does changing my username affect my Microsoft account or email?
No. If you are signed in with a Microsoft account, changing your username only changes the display name on your computer. Your email address and Microsoft account stay exactly the same. You still sign in with your email address.
What if I forgot my old username?
Look at the sign-in screen — your current username appears there. You can also open File Explorer, go to C:\Users, and look at the folder names. Each folder is a user account on the computer.
Can I change the username of another person's account?
Only if you have administrator rights. Go to Settings, Accounts, Other people, find their account, and click Rename. They do not need to be signed in, but you do need admin access.