What changing your computer name means and why you might do it

Your computer has two separate names you can change: the user account name (the name that appears when you log in) and the computer name (the name your machine shows on a network). Most people need to change the user account name — for example, if you got married, prefer a different name, or inherited a computer with someone else's account on it. The computer name matters less unless you share files over a home network and want to find your machine easily.

Changing either name takes about five minutes and requires you to be logged in as an administrator. The steps differ between Windows and Mac, and the process is straightforward once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 or 11, change your user account name through Settings > Accounts > Your info, then click the account name and type the new one.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings > General > About and click Edit next to the computer name, or change the account name through System Settings > General > Users and Groups.
  • You must be logged in as an administrator to make these changes.
  • Changing your account name does not affect your files, passwords, or installed programs — they stay exactly where they are.
  • If you forget your administrator password, you will need to reset it through your Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac) before you can proceed.

Changing your user account name on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Start menu and type "Settings" into the search box, then click Settings. Once it opens, click Accounts on the left side. You will see "Your info" at the top — click it. Your current account name appears near the top of the page.

Click directly on your account name (it will be underlined or highlighted). A text box will appear where you can type your new name. Type the new name you want, then press Enter or click away from the box. Windows will ask you to sign out and sign back in for the change to take effect. Save any open work, then sign out and log back in with your existing password — your password does not change, only the name does.

If you do not see an Edit button or the name does not appear clickable, you may be using a Microsoft account rather than a local account. In that case, you will need to change the name through your Microsoft account online instead. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and look for "Your info" or "Manage your account" to change the display name there.

Changing your user account name on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click General in the sidebar, then look for About. You will see your computer name near the top — click the Edit button next to it to change the computer name itself.

To change your user account name on Mac, go back to System Settings and click General again, then scroll down and click Users and Groups (or look for it in the sidebar). Click the lock icon at the bottom left and enter your administrator password to unlock the settings. Right-click your account in the list on the left and select Advanced Options. You can change the account name in the "Account name" field. Click OK when done.

Unlike Windows, Mac does not require you to sign out and back in for the change to take effect, though you may need to restart some applications for them to recognize the new name.

What happens to your files and programs when you change your name

Your files, folders, passwords, and installed programs all stay exactly where they are. Changing your account name is purely cosmetic — it changes what appears on the login screen and in the top menu bar, but nothing underneath changes. You can still open every file you could open before, and every program will work the same way.

The only place you might notice a difference is in the file path. On Windows, if your old account name was "JohnSmith" and you change it to "John", the path to your Documents folder technically changes from C:\Users\JohnSmith\Documents to C:\Users\John\Documents. However, Windows handles this automatically in the background, and shortcuts and programs will still find your files without any action from you.

Changing your computer name on a network

If you share files with other computers on your home network, you may want to change your computer's network name so it is straightforward to find. On Windows, right-click the Start button and select System. Scroll down and click Rename this PC. Type the new name (keep it short and avoid spaces if possible), then restart your computer for the change to take effect.

On Mac, the computer name is changed in the same place you saw it earlier: Apple menu > System Settings > General > About, then click Edit next to the computer name. The change takes effect when ready without a restart. Other computers on your network will see the new name within a few minutes.

If you are locked out or forgot your password

If you cannot log in because you forgot your administrator password, you will need to reset it before you can change your account name. On Windows, click "I forgot my password" on the login screen and follow the prompts to reset it using your Microsoft account or a security question. On Mac, restart your computer and hold Command + Q during startup to enter Recovery Mode, then use the Reset Password utility.

If you do not have access to your Microsoft account or Apple ID recovery information, you may need to contact Microsoft or Apple support, or take your computer to a repair shop. This is a security feature designed to prevent someone else from accessing your account without permission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my account name log me out of my programs or websites?

No. Your passwords, saved login information, and browser history all stay the same. You will remain logged into websites and programs that were already open. Some programs may need to be restarted to recognize the new account name, but they will not log you out.

Can I change my account name without being an administrator?

No. You must be logged in as an administrator to change any account name. If you are not an administrator on your computer, you will need to ask someone who is to make the change for you, or you can contact the person who set up the computer.

What if I change my account name and then want to change it back?

You can change it back the same way you changed it the first time. There is no limit to how many times you can change your account name, and there is no waiting period between changes.

Does changing my computer name affect my internet connection or WiFi?

No. Your internet connection and WiFi settings are not tied to your computer name. Changing the name will not disconnect you from the internet or affect your network speed.

If I have multiple user accounts on my computer, do I change all their names at once?

No. Each account name is changed separately. You must log into each account individually and follow the steps above for that account. You cannot change another person's account name unless you are logged in as an administrator and go through the Users and Groups settings.