The fastest way to find your username

Your PC username appears in the bottom left corner of your Windows lock screen, or in the top right corner of your Mac menu bar. On Windows, you can also press the Windows key and type "cmd" to open Command Prompt, then type whoami and press Enter — your username will display when ready. On Mac, open System Preferences, click System Settings, then click General, and your account name appears under "About".

If you are at your desktop already, Windows shows your username in the Start menu (click the Windows icon in the bottom left). Mac users can click the Apple menu in the top left, select "About This Mac", and the account name is listed there as well.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows displays your username on the lock screen in the bottom left corner, or you can type whoami in Command Prompt to see it when ready.
  • Mac users can find their account name in System Settings under General, or by clicking the Apple menu and selecting "About This Mac".
  • Your username is different from your display name — the username is what the system uses internally, while the display name is what appears to other users on a network.
  • If you have forgotten your password but remember your username, you can use that username to reset your password through your account recovery options.

Finding your username on Windows 10 and Windows 11

The lock screen is the easiest place to look. When your computer is locked or you have just turned it on, your username appears in the bottom left corner of the screen, above the password field. This is the account name Windows uses to identify you on the system.

If you are already logged in, click the Start button (Windows icon) in the bottom left corner of your taskbar. Your username and profile picture appear at the top of the Start menu. You can also right-click the Start button, select "System", and scroll down to find "Device name" and account information — your username is listed under your profile section.

For a command-line method that works on any Windows version, press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type cmd, and press Enter. In the Command Prompt window, type whoami and press Enter. The system will display your full username in the format COMPUTERNAME\username.

Finding your username on Mac

Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top left corner and selecting "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older macOS versions). Click "General" in the sidebar, then look for "About" — your account name appears under the computer name at the top of the window.

You can also find your username in the Finder. Click the Finder icon in your dock, then click "Locations" in the sidebar. Your username appears next to the house icon. Another quick method is to open Terminal (search for it using Spotlight by pressing Command + Space, typing "Terminal", and pressing Enter), then type whoami and press Enter — your username will display on the next line.

Understanding the difference between username and display name

Your username is the internal account identifier that Windows or Mac uses to manage files, permissions, and system settings. It typically has no spaces and is all lowercase. Your display name is what appears to other people if your computer is on a network — it can include spaces and capital letters and is often more formal or personal.

On Windows, you can change your display name without changing your username. On Mac, the account name (username) and full name (display name) are separate fields. If you see two different names associated with your account, the shorter one without spaces is your username.

What to do if you cannot log in to see your username

If you are locked out of your account, the username still appears on the Windows lock screen or Mac login screen. Look at the bottom left of the Windows lock screen or the login window on Mac — the account name is displayed there even if you cannot enter the password.

If you have multiple user accounts on your computer, each one will be listed on the login screen with its own username. You can see all account names without logging in by looking at the list of available accounts. If you need to reset a forgotten password, you will need your username to start the recovery process through your Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac).

Using your username for password recovery and account access

Your username is required if you need to reset a forgotten password. On Windows, click "I forgot my password" on the lock screen, and you will be asked to enter your username or the email address associated with your Microsoft account. On Mac, restart your computer and hold Command + Q at the login screen to access account recovery options, where you will need your username or Apple ID.

Keep your username written down in a safe place, separate from your password. Your username alone does not give anyone access to your account — they would still need your password — but it is the first piece of information you will need if you ever need to recover your account or contact technical support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my username the same as my email address?

Not necessarily. Your username is the local account name on your computer, while your email address is associated with your Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac). You can log in with either one, but they are stored separately. Your username is what appears in file paths and system settings.

Can I change my username?

On Windows, you can change your display name easily, but changing your actual username is more complex and requires administrative access. On Mac, you can change your full name (display name) in System Settings, but the account name (username) cannot be changed without creating a new account. Most people change their display name instead.

Why do I see COMPUTERNAME before my username?

When you use the whoami command, Windows displays your username in the format COMPUTERNAME\username. The part before the backslash is your computer's name, and the part after is your actual username. Your username is just the second part.

What if I have a Microsoft account instead of a local account?

If you log in with a Microsoft account, your username is still displayed on the lock screen and in System Settings. It may appear as your email address in some places, but your local username (the one used for file paths and system folders) is a separate identifier. You can see both by opening Command Prompt and typing whoami.