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 the new name you want. Windows will ask you to confirm — click Next, then Finish. You are done. The change takes effect the next time you sign in.
This method works for local accounts (usernames that exist only on your computer) and Microsoft accounts (usernames linked to your Microsoft email). The Settings app is the fastest route for most people because it requires no administrator password and no restart.
Key Takeaways
- The Settings app method is the simplest: go to Accounts > Your info > Rename your account, type the new name, and confirm.
- If Settings does not show a rename option, you have a Microsoft account and must change it through your Microsoft account online instead.
- The Control Panel method works for local accounts when Settings is unavailable, but requires you to know your administrator password.
- Your username and your sign-in email are different things — changing your username does not change how you sign in to Windows.
- Files and folders you created before the change will still be yours, but Windows may take a few minutes to update the ownership information.
When you have a Microsoft account instead
If the Rename your account button does not appear in Settings, you are signed in with a Microsoft account (one tied to an Outlook, Hotmail, or other Microsoft email address). Windows does not let you rename Microsoft accounts from your computer. Instead, you must change it through your Microsoft account online.
Go to account.microsoft.com in a web browser and sign in with your Microsoft email and password. Click Your info in the left menu, then find the section that shows your name. Click Edit name, type your new name, and click Save. The change will sync to your Windows computer within a few hours. You do not need to restart.
The Control Panel method for local accounts
If you cannot use Settings for some reason, you can rename a local account through the Control Panel. Press the Windows key and type "control panel", then press Enter. Click User Accounts, then click User AccountsChange the account name. Type the new name and click Rename.
This method requires you to be signed in as an administrator or to enter an administrator password when prompted. It only works for local accounts, not Microsoft accounts. If you are not sure whether you are an administrator, try the Settings method first — it will tell you if you do not have permission.
What changes and what does not
Your username is the name that appears on the Windows sign-in screen and in the top right corner of the Start menu. Changing it does not change your password, your email address, or the way you sign in to Windows. If you sign in with a password, that password stays the same. If you sign in with a PIN or Windows Hello (face or fingerprint), those stay the same too.
Files and folders you created before the change will still belong to you. Windows may take a few minutes to update the ownership information in File Explorer, but you will not lose access to anything. Some programs that store settings tied to your old username may need to be restarted to recognize the new name, but this is rare.
Fixing problems if the rename fails
If you see an error message when you try to rename your account, the most common cause is that you are not signed in as an administrator. Sign out, sign in with an administrator account, and try again. If you do not have access to an administrator account, you will need to contact someone who does.
If you are using a Microsoft account and the online change is not showing up on your computer after several hours, sign out of Windows completely and sign back in. This forces Windows to sync with Microsoft's servers. If the change still does not appear, restart your computer and try again.
Why you might want to change your username
People change their Windows username for many reasons: they want a shorter name, they want to remove a name they no longer use, or they want their computer to reflect a name change in their life. Some people change it for privacy — using a generic name like "User" instead of a full name. There is no technical reason to keep your old username if you want a new one.
The only time you should be cautious is if you have programs that store files in a folder named after your old username. Some older software looks for files in a path like C:\Users\OldName\Documents. After you rename your account, Windows creates a link so those programs can still find the files, but if something stops working, you may need to update the program's settings to point to the new path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my username affect my files or programs?
No. Your files remain yours, and your programs will continue to work. Windows maintains a link from your old username to your new one so that file paths still work. Some older programs may need to be restarted to recognize the change, but data loss does not happen.
Can I change my username without restarting Windows?
Yes, if you use the Settings app or the Microsoft account online method. The change takes effect when you next sign in. The Control Panel method also does not require a restart. You only need to sign out and back in to see the new name everywhere.
What is the difference between my username and my password?
Your username is the name displayed on your account. Your password is the secret code you use to sign in. Changing your username does not change your password. If you want to change your password, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password and click Change.
Can I change my username if I forgot my password?
No. You must be able to sign in to your account to rename it. If you forgot your password, use the sign-in screen to reset it first. Click "I forgot my password" and follow the steps to recover your account, then rename it afterward.
Does my email address change when I change my username?
No. Your username and your sign-in email are separate. If you sign in with an email address, that address stays the same. If you want to change your sign-in email, that is a different process and requires access to your Microsoft account online.