Where to find your Windows 11 username
Your Windows 11 username appears in the bottom-left corner of the lock screen, just above the password field. When you boot your computer or wake it from sleep, look for the name printed there — that is your username. If you are already logged in, you can see it in the Start menu: click the profile icon in the top-right corner of the Start menu, and your account name displays at the top of the dropdown.
You can also find your username through Settings. Open Settings, go to Accounts, then select Your info. The page shows your account name at the top under "Your info". If you use a Microsoft account, you will see the email address associated with it; if you use a local account, you will see just the username you created during setup.
A third way is through the command line. Press Windows key + R, type cmd, and press Enter. In the black command window, type whoami and press Enter. Windows displays your username in the format computername\username. The part after the backslash is your username.
Key Takeaways
- Your Windows 11 username appears on the lock screen above the password field and in the Start menu under your profile icon.
- You can view your username in Settings under Accounts > Your info, where it shows whether you use a Microsoft account or a local account.
- The command line tool whoami displays your username when ready if you prefer the terminal method.
- Windows 11 passwords cannot be recovered through built-in tools, but you can reset a forgotten password using a password reset disk or a Microsoft account recovery option.
- If you are locked out of your account, use another admin account on the same computer or a password reset disk to regain access.
Why you cannot straightforward view your password
Windows 11 does not store passwords in a way that lets you view them after you create them. This is intentional — it is a security feature. When you enter your password at login, Windows converts it into a mathematical hash and compares that hash to the one stored on your computer. The original password itself is never saved in readable form, so even Windows cannot show it back to you.
If you have forgotten your password, viewing it is not an option. You will need to reset it instead. The method depends on what type of account you use and whether you have set up recovery options beforehand.
Resetting a forgotten password on a local account
A local account is one you created directly on your computer, not through Microsoft. If you forgot the password for a local account and you are the only user on the machine, you have limited options. Windows 11 does not provide a built-in way to reset a local account password if you are locked out and have no recovery disk.
If you created a password reset disk before you forgot your password, insert that disk now. On the lock screen, click Reset password (it appears below the password field after a few failed attempts). Follow the wizard, select your reset disk, and create a new password. If you did not create a reset disk, you will need to use another administrator account on the same computer to reset the password, or contact a local computer repair service.
To create a password reset disk for the future, open Settings, go to Accounts > Sign-in options, scroll down to Password, and click I forgot my password. Windows walks you through creating a recovery disk on a USB drive. Store this disk in a safe place.
Resetting a forgotten password on a Microsoft account
If you use a Microsoft account — one tied to an email address like yourname@outlook.com — you have more recovery options. Go to account.microsoft.com from any device and click Sign in. Enter your email address, then click Forgot password? Microsoft sends a code to your recovery email or phone number. Enter that code, and you can create a new password when ready.
Once you have reset your password online, return to your Windows 11 computer and sign in with your new password. Windows syncs your account across devices, so the new password works right away.
If you no longer have access to your recovery email or phone number, go to account.microsoft.com/security and look for Recent activity or Security info. You can add a new recovery method there, though you will need to sign in first. If you are completely locked out, Microsoft's account recovery page at account.live.com/password/reset walks you through additional verification steps.
Using another admin account to reset a password
If your computer has more than one user account and at least one other account has administrator rights, you can use that account to reset the forgotten password. Sign in with the other admin account, open Settings, go to Accounts > Other people, select the account you are locked out of, and click Reset password. You will not see the old password, but you can set a new one that works when ready.
This method works only if you have physical access to the computer and can sign in to another account. If no other admin account exists, this route is closed.
What to do if you are locked out completely
If you have no password reset disk, no other admin account, and no access to your Microsoft account recovery email, Windows 11 will not let you in. At this point, your options are to contact Microsoft Support (they can verify your identity and help you recover the account), use a local computer repair shop, or reinstall Windows 11 (which erases all data on the drive).
Before you reach this situation, set up recovery options now. For a Microsoft account, make sure your recovery email and phone number are current in your account settings. For a local account, create a password reset disk and store it safely. These steps take minutes and save you from being locked out later.
Viewing saved passwords in your browser or apps
If you have forgotten a password for a website or app, you may be able to see it in your browser. In Microsoft Edge, click the menu (three dots in the top-right), go to Settings > Passwords, and you will see a list of saved passwords. Click the eye icon next to any entry to reveal the password in plain text.
In Google Chrome, go to Settings > Passwords and search for the site. Click the eye icon to show the password. Other browsers like Firefox and Opera have similar features in their password managers.
This works only for passwords your browser has saved. If you never saved the password, or you cleared your browser data, the password will not be there. Also, some websites and apps do not allow browsers to save passwords for security reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my Windows password if I am already signed in?
No. Windows does not store passwords in a readable format, even for accounts you are currently using. If you need to change your password, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password and click Change. You will need to enter your current password to set a new one.
What is the difference between a Microsoft account and a local account?
A Microsoft account is tied to an email address and syncs across devices; a local account exists only on your computer. Microsoft accounts have online recovery options; local accounts do not. You can see which type you use in Settings > Accounts > Your info.
If I reset my Windows password, do I lose my files?
No. Resetting your password does not affect your files, programs, or settings. You keep everything on your computer; only the password changes. If you reinstall Windows, you will lose data, but a straightforward password reset does not.
Can I use my username to sign in instead of my password?
No. Windows 11 requires a password, PIN, or biometric sign-in (fingerprint or face recognition). Your username alone is not enough. You can set up a PIN or Windows Hello as an alternative to typing your password each time.
Where do I find my username if I use a work or school account?
Work and school accounts behave like Microsoft accounts. Your username is usually your email address or the name your organization assigned. Check with your IT department or help desk if you are unsure. You can also see it in Settings > Accounts > Your info.