Your username is on your login screen, your password only you know

Your Windows username is the name that appears on your computer's login screen — the one you type in (or select from a list) every time you start your machine. It's not hidden. Your password is what you type after the username, and Windows does not store it anywhere you can retrieve it. If you've forgotten your password, you'll need to reset it rather than find it.

The distinction matters because they serve different purposes. Your username identifies you to the system and to other people on a network. Your password proves it's actually you. Knowing where to look for your username takes seconds. Recovering a lost password takes longer but is still straightforward.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Windows username appears on the login screen each time you start your computer, or you can find it in Settings under System > About.
  • Windows does not store your password anywhere you can read it back — the system only stores a scrambled version for comparison when you log in.
  • If you've forgotten your password, you can reset it using a password reset disk, a Microsoft account recovery email, or a local account reset tool.
  • Passwords you've saved in browsers or email clients are stored separately from your Windows password and require different recovery steps.
  • Never write down your password or share it with anyone claiming to be tech support — legitimate support staff will never ask for it.

Finding your username in Settings

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Go to System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and select About. Under the "Device specifications" section, you'll see "Device name" at the top. Below that, look for "User name" — that's your Windows username.

This method works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. The username shown here is the one you use to log in every day. If you have multiple user accounts on the same computer, each one has its own username, and you'll only see the username for whichever account is currently logged in.

Checking your username at the login screen

The simplest way to see your username is to look at your login screen. When you restart your computer or lock it (press Windows key + L), the screen shows either your username directly or a list of user accounts. If your account picture and name are displayed, that's your username. If multiple accounts are shown, click on yours to see the name associated with it.

On some computers, especially those set up with a Microsoft account, you might see an email address instead of a traditional username. That email address is your login name for that account.

Understanding why you cannot find your password

Windows stores your password in a form called a hash — a one-way scrambled version that cannot be converted back to the original text. This is intentional security design. Even Microsoft employees cannot see your password. When you type your password at login, Windows scrambles what you typed and compares it to the stored hash. If they match, you're in. If they don't, login fails.

This means no legitimate tool, website, or person can show you your Windows password. If someone claims they can retrieve it for you, they're either lying or trying to trick you into giving them access to your computer.

Resetting a forgotten Windows password

If you've forgotten your password, the recovery method depends on what type of account you have. For a Microsoft account (one linked to an email address), go to the Windows login screen, select "I forgot my password," and follow the prompts. Windows will send a recovery code to your backup email or phone number. Enter that code, and you can create a new password.

For a local account (one with just a username, not an email), the process is harder. If you created a password reset disk when you first set up the account, insert it and follow the prompts. If you didn't create one, you'll need to use another administrator account on the same computer, or contact Microsoft support for additional options.

On Windows 11, you can also use a PIN or Windows Hello (facial recognition or fingerprint) as an alternative to a password. If you've set those up, you can use them to log in even if you've forgotten your password, then change your password from within Settings.

Finding passwords you've saved in browsers or email

Your Windows password is separate from passwords you've saved in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or other browsers. If you need to find a password you saved in Microsoft Edge, open Edge, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete to open Settings, go to Passwords, and you'll see a list of saved passwords. Click the eye icon next to any password to reveal it (you may need to enter your Windows password first).

In Google Chrome, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete, go to Passwords, and do the same. In Firefox, press Ctrl + Shift + B to open the Library, select Logins and Passwords, and search for the site. These are browser-level passwords, not your Windows login password, and they're stored separately.

Protecting your username and password

Your username is not secret — it's meant to be visible on the login screen. Your password, by contrast, should never be written down, shared, or typed where someone else can see it. Never give your password to anyone claiming to be tech support, even if they say they need it to fix your computer. Legitimate support staff will never ask for your password.

If you suspect someone has learned your password, change it when ready. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, select Change a password, and follow the prompts. Use a password that's at least 12 characters long, includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and doesn't contain your username or common words.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my Windows password if I'm logged in?

No. Windows does not display your password anywhere, even when you're logged in. The system only stores a scrambled version. If you need to change it, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password, or press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Change a password.

What if I have a Microsoft account but forgot the email password too?

Go to account.microsoft.com and select "Can't access your account." Follow the recovery steps using a phone number or backup email you provided when you set up the account. Once you recover your Microsoft account, you can reset your Windows password.

Is my username the same as my email address?

Not always. If you set up Windows with a Microsoft account, your email is your login name. If you set up a local account, your username is just a name you chose. Check your login screen or Settings > Accounts to see which type you have.

Can I change my username without losing my files?

You can change the display name associated with your account in Settings > Accounts > Your info > Rename your account. This doesn't affect your files. However, changing the actual account username (the folder name in C:\Users) is more complex and requires administrator access or a fresh Windows installation.

What should I do if someone else knows my password?

Change your password when ready by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete and selecting Change a password. Use a strong new password with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. If the person has physical access to your computer, also consider enabling Windows Hello or a PIN as an additional security layer.