The quickest way: Settings menu
Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Go to Accounts in the left sidebar, then select Your info at the top. You'll see your current username displayed under your profile picture. Click the Rename your account button.
Type your new username in the box that appears. Windows 10 usernames can be up to 20 characters and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores — but not spaces or special characters like @, #, or $. Click Next, then Finish. You'll need to sign out and sign back in for the change to take effect.
This method works for local accounts (accounts stored only on your computer) and is the fastest route for most people. If you use a Microsoft account to sign in, the process is slightly different and covered in the section below.
Key Takeaways
- The Settings app method takes two minutes and works for local accounts without restarting your computer.
- Microsoft accounts require you to change your display name through account.microsoft.com, not through Windows Settings.
- Your username and your display name are different — changing one does not automatically change the other.
- After you rename your account, your user folder name stays the same, so file paths and shortcuts continue to work.
If you use a Microsoft account instead of a local account
Microsoft accounts (the kind you sign into Windows with your email address) cannot be renamed through Windows Settings. Instead, you need to change your display name on Microsoft's website. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in with your email and password, and select Your info from the left menu.
Click Manage your Microsoft account, then look for the option to edit your name. You can change your first name, last name, or both. This change takes effect the next time you sign in to Windows. Your username (the email address you use to sign in) stays the same — only the display name that appears on your lock screen and Start menu changes.
If you want to change your actual Microsoft account email address, that requires a different process through the same website and may affect how you sign into other services that use your Microsoft account.
Understanding the difference between username and display name
Windows 10 uses two separate names that can confuse people. Your username is the account name stored on your computer — it's what appears in file paths like C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents. Your display name is what shows on your lock screen, Start menu, and in Settings.
When you rename a local account through Settings, you change both at once. When you change a Microsoft account display name through account.microsoft.com, you only change what appears on screen — your underlying account email stays the same. This matters if you're troubleshooting file permissions or trying to understand why a program still refers to your old name.
What happens to your files and folders after you rename
Your user folder (C:\Users\YourOldUsername) keeps its original name even after you rename your account. Windows does this intentionally — changing the folder name would break file paths and shortcuts that programs rely on. You'll see your old username in File Explorer under the Users folder, but your account will work normally.
If you need the folder name to match your new username, you can rename it manually, but this is rarely necessary and can cause problems if programs are actively using files in that folder. Most people leave it alone. Your Documents, Downloads, Desktop, and other personal folders will continue to work exactly as before.
Renaming an administrator account versus a standard account
You can rename any account on your computer, whether it's an administrator account or a standard user account. If you're renaming an administrator account, you need to be signed in as an administrator to make the change. If you're renaming a standard user account, you also need administrator rights on the computer.
If you're the only person on the computer and you're not sure whether your account is administrator or standard, it's almost certainly administrator. You can check by going to Settings > Accounts > Other people — if your account doesn't appear in that list, it's the administrator account.
Renaming a guest account or work account
If your computer is set up through your workplace or school, your account may be connected to a domain rather than being a local or Microsoft account. Domain accounts cannot be renamed through Windows Settings — your IT department controls the account name. Contact them if you need your account name changed.
Guest accounts (temporary accounts for visitors) can be renamed, but the change only lasts until the guest account is deleted. If you're setting up a guest account for someone, you can give it any name you want during the initial setup, or rename it later through Settings the same way you'd rename a local account.
Troubleshooting: What to do if the rename button doesn't appear
If you open Settings > Accounts > Your info and don't see a Rename your account button, your account is likely a Microsoft account or a domain account. Microsoft accounts show an Manage my Microsoft account button instead — click that to go to account.microsoft.com where you can change your display name. Domain accounts show no rename option at all.
If you see the rename button but it's grayed out, make sure you're signed in as an administrator. Sign out, sign back in with an administrator account, and try again. If you're the only person on the computer and the button is still grayed out, restart your computer and try once more — sometimes Windows needs a restart to recognize administrator status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my username affect my passwords or sign-in?
No. Your password stays the same, and you'll sign in the same way you always have. If you use a Microsoft account, you sign in with your email address, which doesn't change. If you use a local account, you sign in with your username, which does change — but Windows handles this automatically.
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 username and follow the same steps. You can rename your account as many times as you want.
What if I forgot what my username is?
Open File Explorer and look at the address bar — it shows your current username in the path. You can also open Settings > Accounts > Your info to see your current account name displayed at the top under your profile picture.
Does renaming my account change my email address?
No. If you use a Microsoft account, your email address (the one you sign in with) stays the same. Only your display name changes. If you use a local account, you don't have an email address tied to Windows — only a username on your computer.
Can I have spaces or special characters in my new username?
No. Windows 10 usernames accept only letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces and special characters like @, #, $, and periods are not allowed. If you try to use them, Windows will show an error message and ask you to choose a different name.