Where to find your Windows username
Your Windows username appears in several places on your computer. The quickest way is to look at the bottom left of your screen — if you are logged in, your username shows in the Start menu. Click the Start button (the Windows logo), and your account name appears at the top of the menu next to your profile picture.
You can also find it by opening File Explorer, clicking "This PC" on the left, and looking at the address bar at the top. It will show something like C:\Users\YourUsername. The part after "Users\" is your username. Another way is to right-click on "This PC" or "My Computer", select Properties, and look for "Full computer name" — your username is listed separately below that.
If you are at the Windows login screen and cannot remember which account you use, look at the list of usernames displayed. Your username is the account name shown there, not a password.
Key Takeaways
- Your Windows username appears in the Start menu at the bottom left of your screen when you are logged in.
- You can find your username in File Explorer by looking at the path that starts with C:\Users\ followed by your account name.
- Windows passwords are not stored where you can view them as text — you can only reset a forgotten password through your Microsoft account or a local password reset disk.
- If you created a local account without a Microsoft email, you will need a password reset disk or another administrator account to regain access.
Why you cannot see your password in Windows
Windows does not store passwords in a way that lets you read them back. When you create a password, Windows converts it into a code called a hash and stores only that code. This design protects your account — even Microsoft employees cannot see your password. If you forget it, you cannot retrieve it; you can only reset it to something new.
This is different from some websites, which can email you your password because they store it in readable form. Windows does not work that way, and that is intentional security. Resetting your password is the only option.
Resetting a password for a Microsoft account
If your Windows account is linked to a Microsoft email address (Outlook, Hotmail, Gmail, or another email), you can reset your password from the login screen. Click "I forgot my password" on the Windows login screen, and Windows will walk you through steps to verify your identity using your email or phone number.
Microsoft will send you a code to your backup email or phone. Enter that code, create a new password, and you can log in when ready. This process works whether you are locked out or straightforward want to change your password. Make sure you have access to the email address or phone number linked to your account before you start.
Resetting a password for a local account
A local account is one you created on your computer without linking it to Microsoft. If you forget the password for a local account, you have two main options: use a password reset disk (if you created one before forgetting the password), or use another administrator account on the same computer.
If you have a password reset disk, plug it in at the login screen, click "Reset password", and follow the prompts. If you do not have a reset disk and no other administrator account exists, you will need to contact Microsoft Support or take your computer to a repair shop. Some repair shops can reset local account passwords, but the process is technical and may cost money.
Creating a password reset disk before you need it
If you use a local account, create a password reset disk now while you still have access. Plug in a USB drive, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, scroll down to "Password reset disk", and click "Create a password reset disk". Windows will walk you through the steps. Store the disk somewhere safe — you will only need it if you forget your password.
This disk works only on the computer where you created it and only for the account you were using. It does not contain your password; it straightforward allows Windows to let you create a new one if you are locked out. If you use a Microsoft account, you do not need a reset disk because you can reset your password through your email or phone instead.
What to do if you share a computer
If multiple people use the same computer, each person has their own username and password. You can only see your own username and reset your own password. If someone else forgot their password, they need to use their own email or phone to reset it, or you can create a new administrator account for them.
Do not share passwords between accounts, even in a household. Each person should have their own account so Windows can track who made changes, installed programs, or accessed files. This also protects each person's files from others on the computer.
Changing your password after you log in
If you know your current password and want to change it, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Scroll down to "Password" and click "Change". Windows will ask you to enter your current password, then create a new one. You can do this whether you use a Microsoft account or a local account.
If you use a Microsoft account, you can also change your password from account.microsoft.com on any web browser. Changes made there will sync to your computer within a few minutes. For a local account, you can only change the password from the computer itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my Windows password if I am logged in?
No. Windows does not display passwords anywhere, even if you are logged in. Passwords are stored as codes that cannot be converted back to readable text. You can only change your password to a new one, not view the old one.
What if I forgot my password and do not have a reset disk?
If your account is linked to Microsoft, use "I forgot my password" on the login screen and verify your identity through email or phone. If you use a local account with no reset disk and no other administrator account, contact Microsoft Support or visit a computer repair shop.
Is my username the same as my email address?
Not always. If you use a Microsoft account, your username might be your email address, but Windows also assigns a separate account name. Your account name is what appears in File Explorer and the Start menu. Your email is what you use to sign in if you chose that option.
Can I change my username?
You can change the display name shown in the Start menu by going to Settings > Accounts > Your info and clicking "Rename your account". The folder name in C:\Users\ cannot be changed without technical steps, and most people do not need to change it.
What if I have multiple accounts on my computer?
Each account has its own username and password. You can only reset the password for the account you are currently using or another account if you have administrator rights. Switch to a different account by clicking the Start menu and selecting the other username.