Where to find your username right now

Your username is visible on your computer without needing to remember it. On Windows, look at the bottom left corner of your login screen — the name above the password box is your username. On a Mac, go to the Apple menu in the top left, select "System Settings," then click "General" and "About." Your username appears as "User Name" in that window. You can also open Finder, click "Go" in the menu bar, select "Home," and look at the folder name at the top of the window — that folder name is your username.

If you are already logged in and want to double-check, both Windows and Mac show your username in the Settings app. On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Your Info. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > About. The name listed there matches what you use to log in.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username appears on the Windows login screen above the password box, or in Mac System Settings under General > About.
  • Your password is not stored anywhere on your computer in readable form — it is encrypted, and only you should know it.
  • If you have forgotten your password, Windows and Mac both have built-in recovery options that use security questions or a backup email address.
  • Write down your username in a safe place so you have it when you need to log into other accounts or services.

Why your password is not stored where you can see it

Your computer does not keep your password in a place you can look it up. Instead, it stores an encrypted version — a scrambled code that only your computer can read. This is intentional. If your password were stored in plain text, anyone with access to your computer files could read it and log in as you.

This means you cannot recover your password by looking in a file or a settings menu. You can only reset it, which means creating a new one. The reset process is different depending on whether you use a local account (stored only on your computer) or a Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac).

Resetting a Windows password you have forgotten

On the Windows login screen, click "I forgot my password." Windows will ask you security questions you set up when you created the account. If you answer them correctly, you can create a new password right there. This works only if you set up security questions during account creation.

If you do not remember the answers to your security questions, you have a second option: use a password reset disk. If you created one before you forgot your password, plug it in at the login screen and follow the prompts. If you never created one and cannot answer your security questions, you will need to contact Microsoft support or use a Windows installation disk to reset the account — both are more involved processes.

If your account is linked to a Microsoft account (you log in with an email address), you can reset your password online at account.microsoft.com. Go to the sign-in page, click "Can't access your account," and follow the steps to verify your identity using a backup email or phone number.

Resetting a Mac password you have forgotten

Restart your Mac and hold Command + S as it boots up to enter Single User Mode. Type resetpassword and press Enter. A password reset window will open. Select your username from the dropdown, enter a new password twice, and click "Save." Restart your Mac normally and log in with your new password.

If you have an Apple ID linked to your Mac account, you can also restart and click "If you forgot your password, you can reset it" on the login screen. Apple will send a reset link to the email address associated with your Apple ID. This is simpler than Single User Mode if you remember your Apple ID password.

Keeping track of your username for future use

Write your username down and store it somewhere safe — a notebook in a drawer, a password manager, or a find note app. You will need it when you set up email accounts, create accounts on websites, or troubleshoot problems with tech support. Your username is not secret the way your password is; it is just the name you log in with.

Do not write your password down in the same place as your username. If someone finds both together, they can log in as you. A password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the built-in password managers in Windows and Mac keeps both find and encrypted.

What to do if you cannot reset your password

If you have no security questions set up, no backup email, and no password reset disk, you will need to reinstall Windows or macOS. This erases everything on your computer and starts fresh. Before you do this, contact Microsoft Support (for Windows) or Apple Support (for Mac) — they can sometimes help you verify your identity and unlock your account without a full reinstall.

If your computer is owned by a workplace or school, contact your IT department or help desk. They have tools to reset your password without erasing your files.

The difference between your computer password and other passwords

Your computer login password is separate from passwords for email, social media, banking, or any other online account. Resetting your computer password does not change those other passwords. You will still need to remember or reset those separately using each service's own password recovery process.

If you use the same password for your computer and your email account, and you forget it, you can still reset your email password using a backup phone number or recovery email. Once you reset your email password, you can use that email account to reset your computer password (if your computer is linked to that email).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my password after I type it in?

No. When you type your password at the login screen, it appears as dots or asterisks for security. This prevents someone looking over your shoulder from seeing it. Once you log in, your password is not displayed anywhere on your computer.

What if I share my computer with other people?

Each person should have their own username and password. Go to Settings > Accounts > Other People (Windows) or System Settings > General > Users & Groups (Mac) to create separate accounts. Each person logs in with their own username and password, and their files stay private.

Is my username the same as my email address?

Not always. If you created a local account, your username is just a name you chose — it has nothing to do with email. If you use a Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac), your username is the email address you signed up with. Check your login screen to see which one you use.

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, unlock the settings, right-click your account, and select "Advanced Options." Changing your username does not affect your password — you will still log in the same way.

What should I do if someone else knows my password?

Change it when ready. On Windows, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete at the login screen and select "Change a Password." On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Users & Groups, unlock the settings, select your account, and click "Change Password." Create a new password that is at least 12 characters long and includes numbers, uppercase letters, and symbols.