The fastest way: Settings

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click Accounts in the left menu. At the top of the window under "Your info", you will see your username displayed next to a profile picture. This is the name Windows uses to identify your account on this computer.

If you see an email address instead of a username, that means your account is linked to a Microsoft account. The username is still there — it appears in the line below, often starting with your computer's name followed by a backslash. For example, if your computer is named "DESKTOP-ABC123" and your local account is "Sarah", it will show as "DESKTOP-ABC123\Sarah".

Key Takeaways

  • Your Windows 10 username appears in Settings under Accounts > Your info, next to your profile picture.
  • If you see an email address, look for the line below it — that shows your actual username in the format "COMPUTERNAME\username".
  • The Command Prompt method (typing "whoami") works if Settings is not responding or you need to confirm the exact format.
  • Your username is different from your password and is used to identify your account when you sign in or share files with others.

Using Command Prompt if Settings does not open

Right-click the Windows Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin). Type the command whoami and press Enter. The result will show your username in the format "COMPUTERNAME\username". This method works even if the Settings app is frozen or not responding.

The part before the backslash is your computer's name. The part after is your actual username. If you only need the username itself without the computer name, look at the second part only.

Checking the sign-in screen

Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard, then click Sign out. Return to the sign-in screen without actually signing out — just press Escape. The username or email address shown on the sign-in tile is the account name Windows recognizes. If it shows an email, your account is a Microsoft account; if it shows a name without an @ symbol, it is a local account.

This method is useful if you have multiple user accounts on the same computer and need to see which one you are currently using. Each account will have its own tile on the sign-in screen with its own name or email displayed.

Understanding local accounts versus Microsoft accounts

Windows 10 allows two types of accounts. A local account is stored only on your computer and has a straightforward username like "Sarah" or "John". A Microsoft account is linked to an email address and syncs your settings across devices if you sign into multiple Windows computers or tablets.

If you use a Microsoft account, Windows displays your email address as your sign-in name, but your actual username still exists in the system. You can see it in Settings by looking at the line that says "Local account" or by using the Command Prompt method above. The local username is what you need if a program asks for your "Windows username" rather than your email.

Why you might need your username

Programs sometimes ask for your Windows username when setting up file sharing, network access, or permissions. Your username is also what appears in the file path when you save documents to your user folder — for example, "C:\Users\Sarah\Documents". Knowing your exact username prevents confusion when troubleshooting connection problems or setting up shared folders on a home network.

Your username is not the same as your password. It is public information that identifies your account; your password is what protects it. You can share your username with others if they need to give you permission to access a shared file or folder.

What to do if you see an unfamiliar username

If the username shown in Settings or Command Prompt does not match what you expected, you may be signed into a different account than you thought. Check the Settings window again — at the very top under "Your info", confirm the profile picture and email address match your account. If they do not, you are signed into the wrong account and should sign out and sign back in with the correct one.

If you have multiple user accounts on this computer, each one has its own username. You can see all accounts by going to Settings > Accounts > Other people. Each account listed there is a separate username on this computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my username the same as my email address?

Not necessarily. If you sign in with an email address, that is your Microsoft account email, but your Windows username is different. Use the Command Prompt method (whoami) to see your actual username, which appears after the backslash.

Can I change my Windows username?

Yes, but the process is different for local accounts and Microsoft accounts. For a local account, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and click "Rename your PC" or "Rename your account". For a Microsoft account, you would need to change your email address through your Microsoft account settings online, which affects all devices using that account.

What if I forgot my username and cannot sign in?

If you can see the sign-in screen but do not remember which account is yours, look at the profile pictures and any partial usernames or emails shown on the tiles. If you are locked out completely, you may need to use a password reset disk or contact Microsoft support for account recovery.

Do I need my username to reset my password?

For a Microsoft account, you reset your password through your Microsoft account online using your email address, not your Windows username. For a local account, you can reset it through Settings > Accounts > Your info if you remember your current password, or use a password reset disk if you do not.