The fastest way: Settings

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Go to Accounts in the left sidebar, then click Your info. At the top of the page, you will see your account name displayed under your profile picture. This is your Windows username.

This method works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. The username shown here is the one you use to sign in to your computer. It takes about 30 seconds and requires no special knowledge.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Windows username appears in Settings under Accounts > Your info, and this is the quickest place to find it.
  • You can also see your username in File Explorer by right-clicking "This PC" and selecting Properties, then looking for the full computer name and user name.
  • The Command Prompt method using the whoami command shows your username when ready if you are comfortable opening a terminal window.
  • Your username may be different from your display name — the display name is what appears on the sign-in screen, while the username is what Windows uses internally.

Finding it in File Explorer

Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key and E together. In the left sidebar, right-click on This PC and select Properties. Scroll down until you see the section labeled Device name and settings. Below that, look for Full user name — this is your Windows username.

This path works the same way on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The full user name shown here is what the system recognizes as your account. You will also see your computer name on this same screen, which is useful if you need both pieces of information.

Using Command Prompt

Press the Windows key and type "cmd", then press Enter to open Command Prompt. Type the command whoami and press Enter. The text that appears is your Windows username, usually shown in the format computername\username. The part after the backslash is your actual username.

This method is when ready and reliable. If you see only a username without a computer name before it, you are likely on a Microsoft account rather than a local account, but the username portion is still correct. Command Prompt closes as soon as you are done, so there is nothing to save or remember.

Checking the sign-in screen

If you are signed in, you can also see your username by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete, then clicking Sign out (do not actually sign out). The sign-in screen will appear and show the account name you use to log in. Press Escape to return to your desktop without signing out.

This method shows your username exactly as it appears when you type it to sign in. It is useful if you want to confirm the exact spelling or capitalization of your account name. This approach works even if you have forgotten your password, as long as you can still access the sign-in screen.

The difference between username and display name

Windows distinguishes between your username (what you type to sign in) and your display name (what appears on the sign-in screen and in Settings). If you created a local account, these are often the same. If you use a Microsoft account, your display name might be your full name or email address, while your username is the part before the @ symbol.

When you need your username for a program or network connection, use the name you see in Settings under Accounts > Your info or the output from the whoami command. These are the names Windows actually recognizes. The display name is mainly for appearance and does not affect how programs identify you.

What to do if you see an unfamiliar username

If the username you find does not match what you expected, you may be looking at a local account name rather than your Microsoft account email. Local accounts have short usernames like "User" or "Admin", while Microsoft accounts show the email address or a custom display name. Both are valid — the local account name is what Windows uses internally, and the Microsoft account email is what you use to sign in online.

If you want to change your username, you can do so through Settings > Accounts > Your info > Rename your account. Note that changing your display name does not change the local account folder name on your hard drive — that remains the original username. The folder in C:\Users will keep its original name even after you rename your display name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my username the same as my email address?

Not necessarily. If you sign in with a Microsoft account, your email is what you type at the sign-in screen, but your local username (the folder name on your hard drive) is usually different. Check Settings > Accounts > Your info to see both.

Why do I see a different name in Command Prompt than in Settings?

Command Prompt shows your local account username in the format computername\username, while Settings shows your display name. Both refer to the same account — the Command Prompt version is just more technical. The part after the backslash is your local username.

Can I change my Windows username?

You can change your display name through Settings > Accounts > Your info > Rename your account. Changing the local account folder name is more complex and requires administrative steps. For most purposes, changing your display name is sufficient.

What if I forgot my username and cannot sign in?

If you cannot sign in, you cannot use these methods. You will need to use your Microsoft account recovery options or contact Microsoft support. If you have another administrator account on the computer, you can sign in with that account and check the other user's folder name in File Explorer under C:\Users.