Where to find your username on Windows

Your Windows username is the account name you use to log in to your computer. The fastest way to see it is to look at the bottom left of your screen — if you are logged in, your username appears above the power button in the Start menu. Click the Start button (the Windows logo in the bottom left corner), and your account name displays at the top of the menu that opens.

If you need to find it another way, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Go to Accounts on the left side, then click Your info. Your username appears under "Your info" at the top of the page, listed as "Account name".

You can also find your username by opening File Explorer (the folder icon on your taskbar), right-clicking on "This PC" or "My Computer", selecting Properties, and looking for "Computer name" — though this shows your device name, not your account name. For the actual username you log in with, use the Start menu or Settings method above.

Where to find your password on Windows

Windows does not display your password anywhere on your computer for security reasons. Once you set it, the system stores it in a way that even you cannot read it back. This is intentional — if your password were visible, anyone with access to your computer could see it.

If you have forgotten your password, you cannot retrieve it. Instead, you will need to reset it. On the Windows login screen, click I forgot my password below the password box. Windows will walk you through steps to verify your identity — usually by sending a code to your email address or phone number linked to your Microsoft account. After you verify, you can create a new password.

If you are already logged in and want to change your password to something you will remember, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, click Change a password, enter your current password, then type your new password twice and press Enter.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Windows username appears in the Start menu at the top, or in Settings under Accounts > Your info as "Account name".
  • Windows does not store your password where you can view it — this is a security feature, not a limitation.
  • If you forget your password, click "I forgot my password" on the login screen and verify your identity through email or phone to reset it.
  • If you are already logged in, you can change your password by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete and selecting "Change a password".
  • Your device name (shown in Properties) is different from your account username — use Settings to find your actual login name.

Finding your username on a Mac

On a Mac, your username is the short name you use to log in. To find it, click the Apple menu in the top left corner, then select System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). Click General, then About. Your computer name appears here, but to see your actual account username, go back and click General again, then look for Users & Groups (or Accounts on newer versions).

A faster way: open Finder, click the Apple menu, and select About This Mac. Look for "Computer Name" — but again, this is your device name. For your login username, open Terminal (search for it in Spotlight by pressing Command+Space), type whoami, and press Enter. Your username will display when ready.

Finding your password on a Mac

Like Windows, macOS does not display your password anywhere. If you have forgotten it, restart your Mac and hold Command+Q during startup to enter Recovery Mode. Click Utilities in the menu bar, then Reset Password. Select your account and follow the prompts to create a new password.

If you are already logged in and want to change your password, click the Apple menu, go to System Settings, then General, then Users & Groups. Click the lock icon to unlock it (you will need to enter your current password), select your account, and click Change Password.

What to do if you cannot log in at all

If you have forgotten your password and cannot access the "I forgot my password" option on Windows, you may need to use a password reset disk if you created one before. Insert the disk at the login screen, click Reset password, and follow the prompts.

If you do not have a reset disk and cannot verify your identity through email or phone, you will need to contact Microsoft Support or take your computer to a technician. They can help you regain access, though the process may require proof of ownership.

On a Mac, if you cannot access Recovery Mode or reset your password through the normal method, you may need to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store. Bring proof of purchase if possible.

Keeping your username and password find

Once you know your username, treat it like semi-public information — it is the name others might see in shared folders or network settings. Your password, however, should never be written down or shared. If you struggle to remember passwords, consider using a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the built-in password managers in Windows and macOS, which store passwords securely and fill them in for you.

If you suspect someone else knows your password, change it when ready using the steps above. If you think your computer has been compromised, run a full antivirus scan and consider changing passwords for important accounts (email, banking, social media) from a different device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my password if I saved it in my browser?

Yes, but only for websites, not for your Windows or Mac login. In most browsers, go to Settings, find Passwords or Saved Passwords, search for the site, and click the eye icon to reveal it. This only works for websites you logged into through the browser, not your computer itself.

What is the difference between my username and my email address?

Your username is the short name you use to log into your computer (like "john.smith" or "jsmith"). Your email address is a separate thing — it may be linked to your Microsoft or Apple account, but they are not the same. Your username is local to your computer; your email is your account identifier online.

If I reset my password, will I lose my files?

No. Resetting your password only changes how you log in — it does not affect your files, programs, or settings. Everything on your computer stays exactly as it was.

Can I have more than one username on the same computer?

Yes. Both Windows and Mac allow multiple user accounts on one device. Each account has its own username, password, files, and settings. You can switch between them by logging out and logging in as a different user, or by using the user switcher in the login screen.

What should I do if I think someone else is using my account?

Change your password when ready using Ctrl+Alt+Delete on Windows or System Settings on Mac. If you see unfamiliar files or programs, run a full antivirus or malware scan. Check your email account recovery settings to make sure the phone number and backup email are still yours, and enable two-factor authentication if your account supports it.