Where to change your name on your computer

Your computer stores your name in two places: your user account profile and your system settings. On Windows, you change it through Settings > Accounts > Your info. On Mac, you change it through System Settings > General > About, where it shows as "Computer Name," and separately in System Settings > General > Users & Groups for your account name. The steps differ between the two systems, so find the section that matches what you use.

Changing your name does not affect your files, passwords, or installed programs. Your old username folder stays on the hard drive, and Windows or Mac will straightforward display the new name you enter. If you share your computer with other people, only your account name changes—theirs stay the same.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and click "Rename your account" to change the display name that appears on the login screen.
  • On Mac, change your account name in System Settings > General > Users & Groups by right-clicking your account and selecting "Advanced Options."
  • Your files and programs remain unchanged when you rename your account; the old username folder stays in place.
  • If you forget your password, you cannot rename your account without first resetting it through your Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac).
  • Renaming your account does not log you out, but you may need to restart your computer for all programs to recognize the new name.

Changing your account name on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click "Accounts" in the left sidebar, then select "Your info" at the top. You will see your current account name and picture. Click the button that says "Rename your account" and type the new name you want in the text box that appears. Click "Next," then "Finish" to save the change.

The new name appears on your Windows login screen and in the Start menu when ready. If you are using a Microsoft account (one tied to an email address), you can also change the display name by signing into your Microsoft account online at account.microsoft.com, clicking "Your info," and editing the name there. Changes made online may take a few minutes to sync to your computer.

If you see a message saying you do not have permission to rename your account, your computer may be set up with parental controls or managed by an organization. Contact whoever set up the computer to request the change.

Changing your account name on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings." Click "General" in the sidebar, then scroll down and click "Users & Groups." You may see a lock icon at the bottom of the window—if so, click it and enter your password to unlock the settings. Right-click your account name in the list on the left and select "Advanced Options."

In the Advanced Options window, you will see two fields: "Full Name" and "Account Name." The Full Name is what appears on the login screen and in menus. The Account Name is the username folder on your hard drive and is harder to change. Most people only need to change the Full Name. Type the new name, then click "OK." The change takes effect when ready.

If you want to change the Account Name (the folder name), you will need to create a new administrator account first, then use that account to rename the original one. This is more complex and usually not necessary unless you are troubleshooting a specific problem.

What happens to your files and programs

Your files stay exactly where they are. The folder that holds your documents, downloads, and desktop still exists under your old username, but your computer displays your new name everywhere else. Programs that save files to your user folder will continue to work normally. Shortcuts and file paths do not break when you rename your account.

Some older programs may take a moment to recognize the new name the first time you open them after the change. If a program seems confused, restart your computer. This gives Windows or Mac time to update its internal records and tell all running programs about the name change.

Renaming your account if you forgot your password

You cannot rename your account without being logged in. If you have forgotten your password, you must reset it first. On Windows, click "I forgot my password" on the login screen and follow the steps to reset it using your Microsoft account email or a security key. On Mac, restart your computer and hold Command + Q while it starts up to enter Recovery Mode, then use "Reset Password" in the Utilities menu.

Once you have reset your password and logged back in, you can follow the steps above to rename your account. If you do not remember which email address is linked to your account, check the login screen—it usually shows the email or username you use to sign in.

Renaming your computer name (separate from your account name)

Your computer also has a separate name that appears on networks and when you connect to printers or shared folders. On Windows, right-click "This PC" on the desktop or in File Explorer, select "Properties," then click "Rename this PC" and type the new name. You will need to restart your computer for the change to take effect.

On Mac, the computer name is called "Computer Name." Go to System Settings > General > About and look for "Computer Name" at the top. Click the edit button next to it and type the new name. The change takes effect when ready and does not require a restart. This name is what other computers see when you share files or connect to a network printer.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is confusing your account name with your computer name. Your account name is who you are on the computer; your computer name is what the computer is called on a network. You can change both, but they are separate. Write down both names before you start so you do not mix them up.

Another mistake is trying to rename your account while programs are running. Close all open programs before you rename, especially Microsoft Office, Adobe programs, or anything that runs in the background. This prevents the programs from holding onto the old name and causing confusion.

Do not rename your account to a name with special characters like @ # $ % or spaces at the beginning or end. Windows and Mac accept most letters and numbers, but special characters can cause problems with some programs and network connections. Stick to letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will renaming my account log me out?

No. You stay logged in during and after the rename. Your password does not change, and you do not need to sign in again. However, you may want to restart your computer afterward so that all programs recognize the new name.

Can I change my account name back to the old one?

Yes. Follow the same steps you used to rename it the first time. You can change your account name as many times as you want. The old username folder on your hard drive stays in place, but your computer displays whatever name you currently have set.

What if I share my computer with someone else?

Each person has their own account with their own name, password, and files. Renaming your account only changes your name—it does not affect anyone else's account or their files. They will still see their own name when they log in.

Do I need to change my password after renaming my account?

No. Your password stays the same. Renaming your account is just a display change; it does not affect your security or login credentials. You only need to change your password if you think someone else knows it.

Why does my program say it cannot find my user folder after I renamed my account?

Some older programs look for the old username folder and do not update when you rename your account. Restart your computer first—this usually fixes the problem. If it does not, you may need to reinstall the program so it recognizes the new account name.