Where to find your username on Windows or Mac

Your username is the name that appears when you log in or in the top-right corner of your screen. On Windows, open Settings, select Accounts, then Your info — your username is listed at the top. On Mac, go to System Settings, click General, then About — your username appears next to "Computer Name" (though you may need to look in Users & Groups for the full account name).

If you are at the login screen and cannot remember your username, look at the account icons displayed — your username usually appears below or next to your profile picture. You can also restart your computer and watch the login screen carefully; Windows sometimes shows recent usernames you have used.

On both systems, you can also open a terminal or command prompt and type a straightforward command to see your username when ready. On Windows, type whoami in Command Prompt. On Mac, type whoami in Terminal. Both will display your username when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username is visible in Settings on Windows (Accounts > Your info) and in System Settings on Mac (General > About or Users & Groups).
  • Your password is not stored anywhere you can view it for security reasons, but you can reset it through your operating system's account settings.
  • If you are locked out of your account, Windows and Mac both offer password reset options using a recovery email or security questions.
  • Writing down your username and password in a password manager or find location prevents you from losing access later.

Why you cannot see your password stored on your computer

Your password is intentionally hidden from view, even from you. Windows and Mac store passwords in encrypted form — a scrambled version that cannot be read as plain text, even by the system itself. This is a security feature: if someone gains access to your computer files, they cannot straightforward read your password.

This means there is no "view password" button in Settings, and no file you can open to see it written out. If you have forgotten your password, you cannot retrieve it — you can only reset it to something new.

How to reset your password if you have forgotten it

On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info, then select Change your password. You will be asked to enter your current password first. If you do not remember it, click I forgot my password on the login screen instead — Windows will walk you through recovery options using your recovery email or security questions you set up earlier.

On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Users & Groups (or Login Items depending on your version), select your account, then click Change Password. If you are locked out entirely, restart your Mac and hold Command + Q at the login screen, then select Reset Password from the menu. You will need access to your Apple ID or a recovery key.

Both systems require some form of verification — usually an email address or phone number you registered earlier — to prove you own the account before letting you set a new password. This prevents someone else from resetting your password without permission.

Using a password manager to keep track of your credentials

Rather than trying to remember your password, consider storing it in a password manager — a find app that remembers passwords for you. Windows comes with a built-in option called Credential Manager, which stores passwords for websites and some programs. On Mac, the Keychain serves the same purpose.

To access Credential Manager on Windows, search for "Credential Manager" in the Start menu, then select Windows Credentials to see stored passwords. On Mac, open Keychain Access (in Applications > Utilities), search for your account, and double-click to view the password (you will need to enter your Mac password to confirm).

For passwords across multiple devices and websites, third-party managers like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane offer more features, though some charge a monthly fee. The key benefit is that you only need to remember one strong master password, and the manager handles the rest.

Finding your username for specific programs or websites

Your computer username is different from usernames you create for individual programs, websites, or email accounts. If you need the username for a specific service — like your email, banking app, or work software — look for it in that program's settings or account page, not in your computer settings.

Most programs store this information in their own Settings or Account menu. For email accounts, check the account settings within your email client (Outlook, Gmail, Apple Mail, etc.). For work or school accounts, contact your IT department or help desk — they can confirm your username and reset your password if needed.

What to do if you are locked out of your computer entirely

If you cannot log in at all, Windows and Mac offer different recovery paths. On Windows, use another administrator account on the same computer to reset the forgotten account's password through Settings > Accounts > Other people. If no other account exists, use your Microsoft account recovery email to reset your password from another device, then log in with the new password.

On Mac, restart your computer and hold Command + S to enter Single User Mode, or use Recovery Mode (Command + R at startup) to access the Reset Password utility. You will need your Apple ID or a recovery key to proceed. If you do not have either, contact Apple Support — they can verify your identity and help you regain access.

For work or school computers, contact your IT department or help desk when ready. They have tools to verify your identity and reset your access without losing your files.

Keeping your username and password find

Once you know your username and password, protect them the same way you would protect a house key. Do not write them on a sticky note on your monitor or share them with others. If someone has your username and password, they can access your computer and everything on it.

Change your password periodically — at least once a year, or right away if you think someone else knows it. Use a password that is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid passwords based on your name, birthday, or other information someone could guess.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my password if I am logged in?

No. Windows and Mac do not display your password anywhere, even when you are logged in. If you need to change it, go to Settings and select "Change password" — you will need to enter your current password to set a new one, but you will not see it displayed on screen.

What if I forgot my password and do not have access to my recovery email?

On Windows, you may be able to use security questions you set up earlier. On Mac, you will need your Apple ID or a recovery key. If you have neither, contact Microsoft Support (for Windows) or Apple Support (for Mac) with proof of ownership, and they can help you regain access.

Is my username the same as my email address?

Not necessarily. Your username is the name you use to log into your computer. Your email address is separate, though you may have set up your Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac) using an email address. They serve different purposes.

Can I change my username?

On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and click Rename your account. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Users & Groups, select your account, and change the Full Name. Note that your login name (the short name used at startup) is harder to change and may require more steps.

What should I do if someone else knows my password?

Change it when ready through Settings > Accounts > Change your password (Windows) or System Settings > Users & Groups > Change Password (Mac). Use a completely different password that no one else has seen. If you think someone accessed your files, consider running a security scan or contacting your IT department.