Where your username and password live on your computer
Your computer username is the account name you use to log in — it appears on your login screen and in your system settings. Your password is what you type to unlock that account. The username is visible in several places on your computer right now; the password is deliberately hidden for security. You can see your username without any special steps, but recovering a forgotten password requires different methods depending on whether you set up a recovery email or phone number when you created the account.
Windows and Mac store usernames in different locations and use different recovery paths. Both systems assume you may forget your password someday, so they build in ways to reset it — but those ways only work if you prepared ahead of time. If you never set up recovery information, resetting becomes much harder.
Key Takeaways
- Your username appears on your Windows login screen, in Settings under Accounts, or on a Mac in System Settings under General, so you can find it without logging in.
- Windows passwords can be reset using a Microsoft account recovery email or phone number if you set one up when creating your account.
- Mac passwords can be reset using an Apple ID, a recovery key, or a hint you created during setup — but only if you configured one of these beforehand.
- If you have no recovery method set up, you will need to contact Microsoft or Apple support, or reset your entire computer, which erases your files.
- Writing down your username in a safe place now prevents this problem later.
Finding your username on Windows
On the Windows login screen, look at the bottom left corner — your username appears there. If multiple accounts exist on the computer, you will see a list of usernames to choose from. Click the one you use, and the password field will appear below it.
If you are already logged in and need to confirm your username, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click Accounts on the left side. Your username appears at the top under "Your info." You can also right-click the Start menu, select System, and scroll down to see your username listed as "Device name" — though this is the computer's name, not your account name, so use the Settings method instead.
Finding your username on Mac
On a Mac login screen, your username does not appear by default — you type it in. If you are already logged in, click the Apple menu in the top left, select System Settings, then click General. Your account name appears under "About" as "Computer Name" and also in the sidebar under your profile picture.
You can also open Terminal (search for it using Spotlight by pressing Command and Space) and type whoami, then press Enter. Your username will print on the next line. This method works whether you are logged in or not, as long as you can access Terminal.
Resetting a forgotten Windows password
If you cannot remember your password, Windows offers a reset option on the login screen. Click "I forgot my password" below the password field. Windows will ask you to verify your identity using the recovery email or phone number attached to your Microsoft account. If you set these up when you created your account, you will receive a code by email or text, enter it on the screen, and then create a new password.
This process only works if your account is a Microsoft account — a local account (one created without a Microsoft email) has no built-in recovery path. If you created a local account and forgot the password, you will need to contact Microsoft support or reset your computer entirely, which erases all files on it.
To check whether your account is a Microsoft account or local account, go to Settings, click Accounts, then click "Your info." If you see your email address listed, it is a Microsoft account. If you see only a username, it is a local account.
Resetting a forgotten Mac password
On a Mac login screen, if you forget your password, click the question mark icon next to the password field — this shows the hint you created when you set up the account, if you created one. If the hint does not help, click "Reset Password" below the hint.
Mac will ask you to verify your identity using your Apple ID. If you remember your Apple ID email and password, enter them and you can create a new computer password when ready. If you do not have an Apple ID or do not remember it, Mac will ask for a recovery key — a long string of characters you should have saved when you first set up the account. If you have neither an Apple ID nor a recovery key, you will need to contact Apple support or erase and reinstall the system.
Before you need this: open System Settings, click General, then click "Password & Security." You will see your recovery key listed here — write it down and store it somewhere safe, separate from your computer.
What to do if you have no recovery method set up
If you never created a recovery email, phone number, Apple ID link, or recovery key, resetting your password becomes a support issue rather than a self-service one. Contact Microsoft support (for Windows) or Apple support (for Mac) with proof of ownership — usually a photo of your receipt or the serial number on the back of your computer. They can verify you own the device and walk you through additional verification steps.
The other option is to erase your computer and reinstall the operating system from scratch. This removes all your files, programs, and settings, so it should be a last resort. If you choose this path, you will need either installation media (a USB drive with Windows or Mac on it) or access to another computer to create it.
Preventing this problem: what to set up now
The easiest way to avoid a locked-out situation is to prepare before you need it. On Windows, make sure your Microsoft account has a current recovery email and phone number. Open Settings, go to Accounts, click "Your info," then click "Manage your Microsoft account." Add or update your recovery email and phone number there.
On Mac, link your Apple ID to your account and save your recovery key. Open System Settings, click General, then "Password & Security." Make sure your Apple ID is listed, and write down your recovery key in a safe place — not on a sticky note on your monitor, but in a locked drawer or password manager.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my password after I type it in?
No — both Windows and Mac hide passwords as you type them for security. If you need to confirm you typed it correctly, most login screens have an eye icon next to the password field that shows the characters temporarily when you click it. This is safer than writing passwords down.
Is my username the same as my email address?
Not always. If you created a Microsoft account or Apple ID using your email, your email is your username for that account. But your computer's local account username can be anything — it does not have to be an email. Check your Settings to see which one you have.
What if I know my password but forgot my username?
Your username appears on the login screen itself, so you can see it without logging in. On Windows, it is shown at the bottom left. On Mac, you can type it in and try your password — if it works, you have found it. If you are already logged in, check Settings under Accounts to confirm the exact spelling.
Can I change my username after I create it?
On Windows, you can change your local account username through Settings under Accounts, but changing a Microsoft account username is more complex and usually requires contacting support. On Mac, changing your account name requires erasing and reinstalling the system. It is easier to create a new account with the name you want and transfer your files to it.
What if my computer asks for a PIN instead of a password?
A PIN is a shorter security code you can set up instead of a password on Windows. If you forgot your PIN, the reset process is the same — click "I forgot my PIN" on the login screen and verify your identity using your recovery email or phone number. On Mac, PINs are not standard, but you can set up Touch ID or Face ID as an alternative to typing your password.