The fastest way: Settings on the lock screen
Open the Settings charm by pressing Windows key + I, then select "Change PC settings" at the bottom. Click "Users" on the left side. Under your account name at the top, click "Change your name" and type the new username you want. Click "Next" and then "Finish". Windows will ask you to sign out and back in — do that, and your username is changed.
This method works if you remember your current password or have no password set. If you are locked out of your account, you will need to use the local account method instead, which takes longer.
Key Takeaways
- The Settings charm (Windows key + I) is the quickest route and takes about two minutes if you know your password.
- Windows 8 separates the display name you see on the lock screen from the actual account folder name, and changing one does not always change the other.
- If you cannot access Settings, you can rename the account folder directly through File Explorer, but this requires administrator rights.
- After any username change, restart your computer so Windows updates all the places that reference your old name.
What actually changes when you rename your account
Windows 8 has two different names for your account: the display name (what shows on the lock screen and in the Start menu) and the folder name (the actual directory in C:\Users\ where your files live). When you use Settings to change your name, you are changing the display name. The folder name usually stays the same.
This matters because some programs look for your folder name, not your display name. If a program stops working after you change your username through Settings, you may need to rename the folder itself. This is rare, but it happens with older software or programs that store settings in a hardcoded path.
Renaming the folder if Settings does not work
If you cannot access Settings or need to change the actual folder name, you can do it through File Explorer. Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer, then navigate to C:\Users\. Right-click the folder with your old username and select "Rename". Type the new name and press Enter.
Windows will warn you that some programs may not work after you rename the folder. Click "Yes" to confirm. You may need to restart your computer twice — once right after the rename, and again after Windows finishes updating its internal references. If you get a "folder is in use" error, restart in Safe Mode first, then try the rename again.
You need administrator rights to rename a folder in C:\Users\. If you do not have them, you will see a "You do not have permission" message. Ask whoever set up the computer to give you administrator rights, or use the Settings method instead.
When you are signed in with a Microsoft account instead of a local account
If you signed into Windows 8 with a Microsoft account (your Outlook or Hotmail email), changing your username in Settings only changes the display name on that specific computer. Your actual Microsoft account name stays the same across all your devices.
To change your Microsoft account name itself, you have to go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and change it there. That change will show up on all your Windows devices the next time you sign in. The local folder name on your computer will not change automatically — you may need to rename it separately using the File Explorer method above.
Fixing programs that break after a username change
Some programs store file paths that include your old username. After you rename your account, those programs may not find their settings or data files. The most common culprits are older games, specialized software, and programs that were installed before you changed your name.
If a program stops working, try reinstalling it. During installation, it will create new paths with your new username. If reinstalling does not work, you can also try running the program in compatibility mode: right-click the program icon, select "Properties", click the "Compatibility" tab, and check "Run this program in compatibility mode for" — then pick an older version of Windows and click "explore".
Keeping your files safe during a username change
Before you rename your account or folder, back up your important files. The easiest way is to copy your Documents, Pictures, and Desktop folders to an external drive or cloud storage. If something goes wrong during the rename, you will have a copy.
After you rename your account, check that you can still see all your files in the new folder. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[your new username]\. You should see Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, and other standard folders. If any are missing, restore them from your backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my username affect my files or programs?
Your files stay in the same place — they just move to a folder with your new name. Most programs will work fine. Older software that looks for a hardcoded path with your old username may break, but reinstalling usually fixes it.
Can I change my username without restarting?
Windows will ask you to sign out and back in, which is a soft restart of your session. A full computer restart is not always required, but it is a good idea to do one anyway so Windows can update all its internal references to your old name.
What if I forgot my password and cannot access Settings?
You can rename the folder directly through File Explorer if you have administrator rights. If you do not have administrator rights, you will need to contact whoever set up the computer or use a password reset disk if you created one when you first set up Windows.
Does changing my Windows username change my Microsoft account name?
No. Changing your Windows username only changes the display name on that computer. Your Microsoft account name stays the same. To change your Microsoft account name, sign into account.microsoft.com and update it there.
Why does a program say it cannot find a file after I changed my username?
The program is looking for a file path that includes your old username. Reinstalling the program usually fixes this because it will create new paths with your new username. If reinstalling does not work, try running it in compatibility mode for an older version of Windows.