The two ways to change your administrator username

Windows 10 lets you change your administrator name through Settings or through the Local Users and Groups tool. Settings is simpler if you just want to change the display name that appears on your login screen and Start menu. Local Users and Groups gives you more control and lets you change the actual account name itself, though it requires a few more steps. Which one you use depends on whether you want a surface-level change or a deeper one.

The display name is what you see on the login screen and in the top right corner of the Start menu. The account name is the folder name in C:\Users\ and what appears in some system settings. Most people only need to change the display name, which takes about two minutes through Settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Changing the display name through Settings is the fastest route and affects what shows on your login screen and Start menu without touching system files.
  • Changing the actual account name requires Local Users and Groups and may affect file paths and some program shortcuts, so back up important files first.
  • You must be logged in as an administrator to make either change, and you cannot change the name of the account you are currently using through Local Users and Groups.
  • If you forget your administrator password, you will need to use password reset tools or contact Microsoft Support, as there is no built-in recovery method from the login screen.

Changing the display name through Settings

Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then go to Accounts on the left side. Click Your info at the top. You will see your current account name displayed under "Your info". Click the Rename your account button. Type the new name you want, then click Next and Finish. The change takes effect when ready on your login screen and Start menu.

This method does not change any file paths or system folders, so programs and shortcuts continue to work without interruption. If you share your computer with other users, only your display name changes — their accounts remain untouched.

Changing the actual account name through Local Users and Groups

Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type lusrmgr.msc and press Enter. This opens Local Users and Groups. Click the Users folder on the left. Right-click the administrator account you want to rename and select Rename. Type the new name and press Enter.

This changes the actual account name, which means the user folder in C:\Users\ will still show the old name. Windows does not automatically rename that folder when you rename the account through this tool. If you need the folder name to match the new account name, you will need to rename it manually through File Explorer, though this can cause issues with some programs that look for the old path. For most people, changing only the display name through Settings is safer.

What happens to files and programs when you change the account name

If you change only the display name through Settings, nothing breaks. Your files stay where they are, your programs continue to run, and shortcuts work normally. This is the safest change to make.

If you change the actual account name through Local Users and Groups, the C:\Users\ folder keeps its old name, so most programs and files continue to work. However, some older programs or custom shortcuts that reference the full path by the old username may stop working. Before making this change, back up your Documents, Desktop, and Downloads folders to an external drive or cloud storage.

If you cannot log in as administrator

You must be logged in as an administrator to change any account name. If you are logged in as a standard user, you will not see the rename option in Settings, and Local Users and Groups will not let you make changes. Ask whoever set up the computer to log in and make the change for you, or create a new administrator account if the original one is no longer in use.

If you are locked out of the administrator account entirely and cannot remember the password, you will need to use Windows password reset tools. Microsoft offers a password reset option at account.microsoft.com if your account is linked to a Microsoft email address. If your account is local-only, you may need to contact Microsoft Support or use third-party password recovery tools.

Changing the name on a Microsoft account versus a local account

If your administrator account is linked to a Microsoft email address, changing the display name through Settings will update it across your Microsoft account as well. This name will then appear on other Windows devices you sign into with the same email. If you want the change to affect only this computer, you should use Local Users and Groups instead, though this only works if you have a local administrator account set up.

If your administrator account is local-only (not linked to an email), changes made through Settings or Local Users and Groups affect only this computer. You can check which type you have by opening Settings, going to Accounts, and looking at Your info — if it shows an email address, your account is Microsoft-linked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the administrator name while I am logged in as that administrator?

Yes, you can change the display name through Settings while logged in. However, you cannot rename the account through Local Users and Groups while you are logged in as that account — you must log in as a different administrator first. If you only have one administrator account, create a temporary second one, log into it, then rename the first account.

Will changing the administrator name affect my files or passwords?

Changing the display name through Settings does not affect your files or passwords at all. Changing the actual account name through Local Users and Groups also does not change your password, but it may affect file paths if programs look for the old username. Your files themselves remain accessible either way.

What if I change the name and then regret it?

You can change it back the same way you changed it the first time. If you used Settings, open Settings again and click Rename your account. If you used Local Users and Groups, open lusrmgr.msc, right-click the account, and select Rename again. There is no waiting period or limit on how many times you can rename.

Does changing the administrator name affect other user accounts on the same computer?

No. Each user account on a Windows 10 computer is separate. Changing one administrator's name does not affect other administrators, standard users, or guest accounts. Each person's files, settings, and display name remain independent.