The Two Ways to Change Your Administrator Name

You can change your administrator username in Windows 10 through Settings (the simpler route for most people) or through Local Users and Groups if you need more control. Both methods work on any Windows 10 machine, though Settings is faster if you just want to rename the account you use every day. Local Users and Groups gives you access to the built-in Administrator account, which is hidden by default and rarely needs changing.

Before you start, sign in as an administrator — you cannot change an administrator account unless you are logged in with administrator rights. If you are not sure whether your account has those rights, look in Settings under Accounts. Your account will show "Administrator" next to your name if you have them.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings method works for the account you use daily and takes about two minutes from start to finish.
  • Local Users and Groups lets you rename the hidden built-in Administrator account, which most people never need to do.
  • You must be signed in as an administrator to change any administrator username.
  • Changing your username does not affect your password, files, or installed programs — only the name that appears on the sign-in screen and in Settings.
  • If you forget your new username, you can always change it back the same way.

Changing Your Username Through Settings

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then click the Settings app. Go to Accounts on the left side, then click Your info at the top. You will see your current username displayed under your profile picture.

Click the button that says Rename your account. A box will appear where you can type your new username. Type the name you want, then click Next. Windows will ask you to confirm — click Finish and you are done. The change takes effect when ready, though you may see your old name in some places until you sign out and sign back in.

If you do not see a "Rename your account" button, your account may be a Microsoft account rather than a local account. Microsoft accounts are tied to your email address, and you cannot rename them through Settings. You would need to change the display name through your Microsoft account online instead, which is a different process.

Changing the Built-In Administrator Account Through Local Users and Groups

The built-in Administrator account is a separate account from the one you use every day. It is hidden by default and most people never interact with it. If you need to rename it, you will use a tool called Local Users and Groups.

Press the Windows key and type "lusrmgr.msc", then press Enter. If you see a prompt asking for permission, click Yes. The Local Users and Groups window will open. On the left side, click Users. You will see a list of accounts, including one called "Administrator" — this is the built-in account.

Right-click on "Administrator" and select Rename. Type the new name you want, then press Enter. The change takes effect when ready. If you ever need to change it back, follow the same steps.

Local Users and Groups is not available in Windows 10 Home edition — only in Pro, Enterprise, and Education versions. If you have Home edition and need to rename the built-in Administrator account, you would need to use the Command Prompt method instead, which requires more technical steps.

What Happens to Your Files and Programs When You Change Your Username

Your files stay exactly where they are. Windows stores your personal files in a folder with your username in the path (usually C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents), but changing your username in Settings does not move or rename that folder. You can still access everything the same way.

Your programs continue to work without any changes. Installed software does not care what your username is — it only cares that you have administrator rights. Your passwords, email accounts, and saved settings all remain intact.

One thing to watch: if you have shared folders or network drives set up to allow access only to your old username, those permissions will not automatically update. You would need to go back into the sharing settings and add your new username, or remove the old one if it is no longer valid.

Changing Your Username Back If You Change Your Mind

You can rename your account as many times as you want using the same method you used to change it the first time. There is no limit to how many times you can do this, and each change takes effect when ready.

If you cannot remember what you changed your username to, sign in with whatever username you are using now, open Settings, and go to Accounts > Your info. Your current username will be displayed there. From there you can change it to anything else.

Troubleshooting: When the Rename Button Does Not Appear

If you open Settings > Accounts > Your info and do not see a "Rename your account" button, your account is probably a Microsoft account. Microsoft accounts are linked to an email address and cannot be renamed through Windows Settings. Instead, you would change your display name through your Microsoft account page online.

Another reason the button might not appear is if you do not have administrator rights on your account. Ask whoever set up the computer to give you administrator rights, or sign in with a different account that already has them.

If you are trying to rename the built-in Administrator account and you have Windows 10 Home edition, the Local Users and Groups tool will not open. You would need to upgrade to Pro edition or use Command Prompt with administrator rights, which requires typing commands rather than clicking buttons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username affect my password?

No. Your password stays the same — only the name displayed on the sign-in screen and in Settings changes. You will still sign in with the same password you used before.

Can I change someone else's administrator username?

Only if you are signed in as an administrator yourself. If you have administrator rights, you can open Local Users and Groups and rename any account on the computer. If you do not have administrator rights, you cannot rename any account.

What if I change my username and then forget what I changed it to?

Sign in with whatever username you are currently using, open Settings, and go to Accounts > Your info. Your current username will be shown there. You can change it again from that same screen.

Does changing my username affect my email or Microsoft account?

No. If your account is a local account (not linked to an email), changing the username has no effect on email. If your account is a Microsoft account, changing the display name in Windows does not change your email address or your Microsoft account login.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my new username?

Windows allows most characters, including spaces, but some special characters like asterisks, question marks, and forward slashes are not permitted. If you try to use a character Windows does not allow, it will tell you and ask you to choose a different one.