The fastest way: Settings

Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I on your keyboard. Go to Accounts in the left sidebar, then click Your info. Your username appears at the top of the page, under your profile picture. This is the name Windows uses to identify your account.

If you see an email address instead of a username, that means you signed in with a Microsoft account rather than a local account. The email is what Windows treats as your username for that setup. Either way, this is the name you need if you're troubleshooting network issues, setting up file sharing, or checking permissions.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username appears in Settings under Accounts > Your info, usually at the top of the page.
  • If you signed in with an email address, that email is your Windows username for network and permission purposes.
  • Command Prompt shows your username when ready by typing whoami and pressing Enter.
  • File Explorer displays your username in the address bar when you navigate to your user folder.

Using Command Prompt for when ready confirmation

Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type cmd and press Enter. In the black Command Prompt window, type whoami and press Enter. Windows displays your username when ready in the format COMPUTERNAME\username. The part after the backslash is your actual username.

This method is useful if Settings is slow or if you need to verify your username while troubleshooting. The Command Prompt approach works on every Windows version and gives you the exact name Windows uses internally.

Finding it in File Explorer

Open File Explorer and look at the address bar at the top. Click on This PC in the left sidebar. You'll see a folder labeled with your username under "Users" — this is your user profile folder. The folder name is your Windows username. You can also type the path directly: press Ctrl + L to highlight the address bar, then type C:\Users and press Enter to see all user folders on the computer.

This method works even if you can't access Settings or Command Prompt, and it shows you exactly how Windows names your profile folder on the hard drive.

What to do if you see a temporary profile

Sometimes Windows creates a folder called Temp or a numbered folder like AppData instead of your actual username. This usually means your user profile is corrupted or still loading. Restart your computer and check Settings again — your real username should appear once Windows finishes loading your profile.

If the temporary profile persists after a restart, your account may need repair. In that case, the Command Prompt method (typing whoami) will show you the actual username Windows recognizes, even if the folder name looks wrong.

Username versus display name

Windows lets you set a display name that's different from your actual username. Your display name is what appears on the lock screen and in the Start menu. Your username is what Windows uses for file permissions, network access, and system administration. Both appear in Settings under Accounts > Your info, but they serve different purposes.

If you're setting up file sharing, troubleshooting permissions, or connecting to a network, use your actual username (the one Command Prompt shows), not your display name. They're often the same, but not always.

Finding another user's username on the same computer

Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users. Each folder here is a different user account on the computer. The folder names are the usernames. You can also see all accounts by going to Settings > Accounts > Other people, which lists every user profile on the machine.

If you need to give someone access to a shared folder or set up permissions for another account, use the username shown in the Users folder, not their display name. Windows recognizes the folder name as the official username.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my username the same as my email address?

Only if you signed in with a Microsoft account. If you created a local account with a name like "John" or "Sarah," that's your username. If you signed in with an email address, Windows treats that email as your username for network and permission purposes. Check Settings > Accounts > Your info to see which one you're using.

Can I change my username?

You can change your display name easily in Settings > Accounts > Your info. Changing your actual username (the folder name in C:\Users) is more complicated and requires creating a new account or using advanced tools. Most people only need to change their display name, which is what others see on the computer.

Why does Command Prompt show my username with the computer name in front?

The format COMPUTERNAME\username tells you which computer the account belongs to. The part before the backslash is your computer's name; the part after is your username. If you're on a network, this format helps identify which machine you're logged into. Your actual username is just the part after the backslash.

What if I forgot my username and can't log in?

If you're locked out of Windows, you can see all usernames on the computer by restarting and looking at the lock screen — it usually shows available accounts. If that doesn't work, restart into Safe Mode and look for a built-in Administrator account. You may also need to use password recovery tools or contact your system administrator if this is a work computer.