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 actual account name Windows uses behind the scenes, which is less common but necessary if you want to rename the folder that holds your files.
Both changes are free and built into Windows. You do not need to buy anything, install extra software, or restart your computer multiple times. The whole process takes about five minutes.
Key Takeaways
- The display name (what shows on your sign-in screen) and the account folder name are separate things, and you change them in different places.
- Changing your display name is simpler and works the same way whether you use a Microsoft account or a local account.
- Changing your account folder name requires you to create a new administrator account first, because you cannot rename the folder of the account you are currently logged into.
- If you only want to change what appears on your sign-in screen and Start menu, you only need to use Settings — no administrator account is necessary.
How to Change Your Display Name in Settings
Your display name is the name that shows up when you sign in, in the Start menu, and in the top-right corner of Windows. This is the easiest change to make, and it works whether you have a Microsoft account or a local account.
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the Settings app. Go to Accounts in the left sidebar, then click Your info. You will see your current name at the top of the page. Click the Rename your account button. Type your new name in the box that appears, then click Next. Windows will ask you to confirm — click Finish, and your display name changes when ready. You do not need to sign out or restart.
If the Rename your account button is grayed out or missing, you are using a Microsoft account and need to change the name through your Microsoft account settings instead. Go to account.microsoft.com in your web browser, sign in, and look for the option to change your profile name. The change will sync to your Windows 10 computer within a few minutes.
How to Change Your Account Folder Name
Windows stores all your files, documents, and settings in a folder named after your account. By default, this folder is in C:\Users\ and has the same name as your account. If you want to change this folder name to match a new username, the process is longer because you cannot rename a folder while you are logged into that account.
First, create a temporary administrator account. Open Settings, go to Accounts, then click Other people in the left sidebar. Click Add account, then I don't have this person's sign-in information, then Add a user without a Microsoft account. Give it a straightforward name like "Temp Admin" and create a password you will remember. After you create it, go back to Other people, click the Temp Admin account, and click Change account type. Set it to Administrator, then click OK.
Sign out of your main account and sign into the Temp Admin account. Open File Explorer and go to C:\Users\. Right-click the folder with your old username and click Rename. Type your new username and press Enter. Windows may ask for permission — click Continue. After the rename is complete, sign back into your main account. Windows will update your profile to match the new folder name.
Once you confirm everything works, delete the Temp Admin account. Go back to Settings, Accounts, Other people, click Temp Admin, and click Remove. Windows will ask if you want to delete the account data — click Delete account and data.
What Happens to Your Files and Programs
Changing your display name does not move or affect any of your files. Everything stays exactly where it is, and all your programs continue to work normally. Your Documents, Downloads, Desktop, and Pictures folders all stay in the same place.
If you rename your account folder, Windows updates the path automatically. Programs that look for files in your user folder will still find them. However, some older programs or scripts that have the old folder path hard-coded into them might stop working. This is rare, but if you use specialized software for work or a hobby, test it after the rename to make sure it still runs.
If You Forgot Your Password or Cannot Sign In
If you cannot sign into your account to change the username, you have limited options. If you have another administrator account on the computer, you can use that account to rename the folder (following the steps above). If you do not have another account, you will need to reset your password first through the sign-in screen before you can make any changes.
On the sign-in screen, click I forgot my password. Windows will walk you through a recovery process that may involve answering security questions, using a recovery code, or confirming your identity through email or phone. Once you regain access to your account, you can change the username using the methods above.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
The Rename button is grayed out: This usually means you are using a Microsoft account. You must change the name through your Microsoft account online at account.microsoft.com, not through Windows Settings.
You renamed the folder but your account name did not update: Sign out completely and sign back in. Windows syncs the folder name to your account profile when you sign in. If it still does not match after signing back in, restart your computer.
A program stopped working after you renamed the folder: The program is looking for your old folder path. Check the program's settings to see if you can update the file path manually. If not, contact the software maker for support, as they may have a fix or update available.
You cannot create a temporary administrator account: This means your current account does not have administrator rights. You will need to use another administrator account on the computer, or reset your account permissions through Windows Recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my username affect my Microsoft account or email?
No. Your Windows username is separate from your Microsoft account email. If you use a Microsoft account to sign into Windows, changing your Windows display name does not change your email address or Microsoft account. Your email stays the same.
Can I change my username without creating a temporary account?
Not if you want to rename the account folder. Windows does not allow you to rename a folder while you are logged into the account that owns it. You must either create a temporary administrator account or use an existing one. If you only want to change your display name, you do not need a temporary account — Settings handles that alone.
What if my computer is part of a workplace network?
If your computer is connected to a workplace domain, you may not have permission to change your username. Contact your IT department or network administrator before attempting any changes. They may need to change it for you through their management tools.
Will changing my username affect my Wi-Fi or internet connection?
No. Your username is local to your computer and does not affect how you connect to the internet or Wi-Fi networks. All your saved Wi-Fi passwords and network settings remain unchanged.
Can I change my username back to the old one?
Yes. You can follow the same steps to change it back at any time. If you renamed the folder, you can rename it again using the temporary account method. If you only changed the display name, you can change it back in Settings the same way you changed it the first time.