Change Your Account Name in Windows Settings

The fastest way to change the name on your PC is through Windows Settings. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select it. Go to Accounts in the left menu, then click Your info at the top.

You will see your current account name displayed. Click the Rename your account button. Type your new name in the box that appears—Windows allows up to 20 characters, including spaces. Click Next, then Finish. Your PC will ask you to sign out and back in for the change to take effect.

This method works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. The change applies only to your user account on this PC; it does not affect your Microsoft account email or your sign-in password.

Key Takeaways

  • The quickest route is Settings > Accounts > Your info > Rename your account, which takes about one minute and requires no restart.
  • Your account name and your Microsoft account email are separate—changing one does not change the other.
  • If you cannot find the Rename button, you may be using a Microsoft account; use the web method instead.
  • The name change appears when ready on your sign-in screen and in Windows menus after you sign out and back in.
  • If you share your PC with others, only your own account name changes; other users' names stay the same.

Rename a Microsoft Account from the Web

If you sign into your PC with a Microsoft account (one that uses an email address), the Rename button may not appear in Settings. Instead, you will change your name through the Microsoft website. Go to account.microsoft.com in your web browser and sign in with your email and password.

Click Your info in the left menu. Under your name, click Edit name. Type your first and last name in the boxes provided, then click Save. The change takes effect when ready across all Microsoft services—Outlook, OneDrive, Xbox, and any other Microsoft products you use.

After you change your name on the web, sign out of your PC completely and sign back in. Your new name will appear on the sign-in screen and throughout Windows.

Change Your Display Name Without Changing Your Email

Your Microsoft account email (the address you use to sign in) is separate from your display name. You can change how your name appears without changing your email address. This is useful if you want to keep the same sign-in email but show a different name on your PC and in Microsoft services.

On the Microsoft website at account.microsoft.com, go to Your info and edit your name as described above. Your email address stays the same—only the name that displays changes. This affects how your name appears in Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, and other Microsoft apps.

Rename a Local Account (No Microsoft Email)

If you use a local account—one that does not require an email address to sign in—the Settings method is your only option. Open Settings, go to Accounts > Your info, and click Rename your account. Type your new name and click Next, then Finish.

Local accounts are less common on modern PCs. If you are unsure whether you have a local account or a Microsoft account, open Settings and look at the top of the Your info page. If it shows an email address, you have a Microsoft account. If it shows only a name, you have a local account.

What Happens After You Rename Your Account

After you change your account name, the new name appears on your sign-in screen, in the Start menu, and in File Explorer under "This PC." Any files or folders you created before the rename keep their old location—Windows does not move or delete anything.

Programs you have installed continue to work normally. Your files, settings, and passwords all stay the same. The only visible change is the name itself. If you share your PC with other users, their accounts and files are not affected.

If you use OneDrive, your cloud storage folder may still show your old name for a few hours. This is normal and updates automatically. Your sign-in password does not change, and you do not need to re-enter passwords for any programs or websites.

Undo or Change Your Name Again

If you made a mistake or want to change your name again, straightforward repeat the same steps. Open Settings, go to Accounts > Your info, and click Rename your account again. You can change your name as many times as you want with no limit or penalty.

There is no "undo" button, but since the process takes less than a minute, you can correct it when ready. Windows does not keep a history of old names.

Common Issues and How to Fix Them

The Rename button does not appear. You are likely using a Microsoft account. Use the web method at account.microsoft.com instead of the Settings method. You can also convert your Microsoft account to a local account if you prefer, though this is not necessary just to change your name.

The name change did not appear after signing out and back in. Wait a few minutes and restart your PC. Sometimes Windows takes longer to sync the change across all services. If it still does not appear, sign out completely, restart, and sign back in.

You changed your name on the Microsoft website but it has not appeared on your PC yet. Sign out of your PC completely and sign back in. The change syncs when you sign in. If you remain signed in, you may not see the new name until your next restart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my account name change my email address?

No. Your email address and your account name are separate. If you use a Microsoft account, your email stays the same no matter what name you display. If you use a local account, there is no email address involved at all.

Will changing my name affect my files or programs?

No. Your files stay in the same place, and all your programs continue to work. Only the name that displays in Windows changes. You do not need to reinstall anything or move any files.

Can I change my account name if I forgot my password?

No. You must sign in to your account to change its name. If you forgot your password, you will need to reset it first through the sign-in screen or at account.microsoft.com.

What if my PC is part of a workplace network?

If your PC is connected to a work domain, you may not be able to change your account name through Settings. Contact your IT department or system administrator—they control account names on domain-connected PCs.

Can I have different names on different PCs?

Yes. If you use a Microsoft account, you can have a different display name on each PC. Each PC's local account name is separate. However, your Microsoft account display name (the one you change on the web) appears the same across all devices where you sign in with that email.