The quickest way: Settings app
Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Go to Accounts in the left menu, then select Your info at the top. You will see your current username under your profile picture. Click Rename your account and type your new name in the box that appears. Click Next, then Finish. Your computer will ask you to sign out; do that, and when you sign back in, your new username will be active.
This method changes the display name — what appears on the sign-in screen and in Settings. It does not change your user folder name on the hard drive, which stays the same. For most people, this is the right choice because it avoids the complications that come with renaming the folder itself.
The change takes effect when ready after you sign out and back in. You do not need to restart your computer, though restarting does not hurt.
Key Takeaways
- The Settings app method (Accounts > Your info > Rename your account) changes only your display name and is the safest option for most users.
- Changing your user folder name requires the Command Prompt or Local Users and Groups, and can break programs or file permissions if done wrong.
- Your Microsoft account username and your Windows username are separate; changing one does not change the other.
- If you are locked out of your account, you can create a temporary admin account from the sign-in screen to make changes.
When you need to change the user folder name too
If you want the folder on your hard drive (usually C:\Users\YourName) to match your new username, the process is more involved. Windows does not let you rename the folder while you are logged into that account. You have two options: use a second admin account, or use the Command Prompt before Windows fully loads.
The safest approach is to create a second admin account, log into it, then rename the original folder. Open Settings, go to Accounts, select Other people, and click Add account. Choose I don't have this person's sign-in information, then Add a user without a Microsoft account. Give it a temporary name like "Admin2" and a password. Make sure to click Change account type and set it to Administrator. Sign out of your main account and into Admin2.
Now open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users. Right-click the folder with your old username and select Rename. Type the new name and press Enter. Windows may ask for permission; click Continue. Sign back into your main account. The folder is now renamed, and your user profile should work normally.
If renaming the folder causes problems — programs stop working, or you see permission errors — you may need to fix file ownership using the Command Prompt. This is technical and error-prone. If you go this route and something breaks, consider using System Restore to go back to before you made the change.
Changing your Microsoft account username
Your Microsoft account username (the email you use to sign in) is separate from your Windows username. If you want to change the email address linked to your account, you cannot do it in Windows itself. You must go to the Microsoft account website at account.microsoft.com, sign in, and look for Your info or Account settings. The exact steps depend on whether your account uses an email address or a phone number, and Microsoft's interface changes periodically.
If you use a local account (one that does not sync with Microsoft), you cannot change it to a Microsoft account from within Windows 10. You would need to create a new Microsoft account, sign into Windows with that account, and then transfer your files over manually or use the built-in migration tools.
What happens to your files and programs
Changing your display name in Settings does not move or rename any of your files. Everything stays where it is. Programs continue to work because they are tied to your user account, not to the display name you see on the screen.
If you rename the user folder itself, some older programs may lose track of where your files are stored, especially if they have hardcoded paths like C:\Users\OldName\Documents. Modern programs usually handle this gracefully, but it is not may provide. This is why renaming the folder is riskier than just changing the display name.
If you are locked out of your account
If you forgot your password or cannot access your account, you can still make changes. On the sign-in screen, click Sign-in options and look for Reset password or I forgot my password. If you set up a security question, you can answer it to reset your password. If you did not, you will need to sign in with a Microsoft account or use a recovery key if you saved one.
If you have no way back into your account, you can create a new temporary admin account from the sign-in screen. Click Sign-in options, then look for an option to add a new account. Once you have admin access, you can change the password on your original account or rename it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my username affect my passwords or saved logins?
No. Your passwords and saved logins are tied to your account itself, not to the display name. Changing the name does not affect them. If you use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, it will continue to work normally.
Can I change my username without restarting?
Yes, if you use the Settings app method. You only need to sign out and sign back in. If you rename the user folder, you may need to restart for all programs to recognize the change.
What if I change my username and my programs stop working?
If you renamed the user folder and a program broke, try restarting your computer first. If that does not work, reinstalling the program usually fixes it. If you renamed only the display name in Settings, programs should not be affected at all.
Can I have two usernames on the same computer?
Yes. You can create multiple user accounts in Settings under Accounts > Other people. Each account has its own files, settings, and programs. You switch between them at the sign-in screen.
Does changing my Windows username change my email address?
No. Your Windows username and your email address are separate. If you want to change the email linked to your Microsoft account, you must do that on the Microsoft account website, not in Windows.