How to Change Your Name on Windows and Mac

Where your name appears on your computer and how to change it

Your computer stores your name in several places, and which one you need to change depends on what you're trying to fix. The most visible is your user account name — the name that appears on your login screen, in the Start menu (Windows) or Apple menu (Mac), and in file folders you create. You can change this without losing any files or programs. A second location is your computer's device name, which is what your machine is called on a network; this is less visible to you day-to-day but matters if you share files with others. Both are separate from your Microsoft account name (Windows) or Apple ID name (Mac), which you may also want to update.

The steps differ between Windows and Mac, and within Windows, they differ between newer and older versions. This guide covers Windows 10, Windows 11, and Mac. If you're on Windows 7 or earlier, the process is similar but the menu locations are different — contact your IT support or check your system version first.

Key Takeaways

Your user account name (what shows on login) is separate from your Microsoft or Apple account name, and you can change either one without affecting your files.
On Windows 10 and 11, you change your user account name through Settings > Accounts > Your info, and it takes effect the next time you log in.
On Mac, you change your account name through System Settings > General > About, and the change applies when ready.
Changing your user account name does not delete files, programs, or settings — everything stays in your user folder under the old folder name.
If you want your user folder itself to have a new name, you will need to create a new account and transfer files, because Windows and Mac do not let you rename the folder after creation.

Changing your user account name on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. In the Settings window, click Accounts on the left side. Click Your info at the top of the list. You will see your current account name displayed under a profile picture. Click the button that says Rename your account.

A dialog box will appear with your current name highlighted. Delete it and type your new name. Click Next, then Finish. Your computer will ask you to sign out and sign back in for the change to take effect. The new name will appear on your login screen and in the Start menu the next time you log in. Your files, programs, and settings remain unchanged — only the display name changes.

If you do not see a "Rename your account" button, you may be using a local account rather than a Microsoft account. In that case, right-click the account name and select Rename from the menu that appears, then follow the same process.

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 macOS versions). Click General in the sidebar, then click the About tab. You will see your computer name listed as "Computer Name." Click the Edit button next to it, type your new name, and press Return. The change takes effect when ready.

If you want to change the name associated with your user account itself (not just the computer name), go back to System Settings, click General, then look for Users & Groups or Accounts depending on your macOS version. Right-click your account name in the list and select Advanced Options. You can change both the full name and the short name (the folder name) here, though changing the folder name is not recommended because it can break some programs.

Understanding the difference between account name and computer name

Your account name is who you are on that computer — it appears on the login screen and in menus. Your computer name is what the machine itself is called when it appears on a network or when you connect to it from another device. On Windows, the computer name is usually set during setup and is less visible to you. On Mac, the computer name is more prominent and is what appears in Finder when you browse the network.

Most people only need to change their account name. Change the computer name only if you are setting up a network, sharing files with others, or if your IT support asks you to. The steps above cover both, but focus on account name first — that is what you see every day.

What happens to your files and folders when you change your account name

Your files stay exactly where they are. On Windows, your user folder (usually C:\Users\YourName) keeps its old name even after you change your account name. This is by design — Windows does not rename the folder automatically because doing so can break programs and settings that point to the old path. You will still see your files in File Explorer under your new account name, but the folder itself on disk has not moved.

On Mac, the same principle applies. Your home folder (usually /Users/YourName) keeps its original name. You can see and access all your files normally, but the folder name on disk does not change. If you want your folder name to match your new account name, you would need to create a new account, copy your files over, and delete the old account — a process that takes time and carries risk of losing data if something goes wrong.

Changing your Microsoft account name or Apple ID name

If you want to change the name associated with your Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac), that is a separate process from changing your user account name. On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and look for a link that says Manage your Microsoft account. This opens your account page in a web browser, where you can change your display name. On Mac, click the Apple menu, select System Settings, click General, then look for Apple Account or iCloud depending on your version. Click Manage Apple ID to open your account page.

Changing your Microsoft or Apple account name is optional and affects how your name appears in email, cloud storage, and other services tied to that account. It does not change your local user account name on the computer itself. Many people keep their local account name short (like "john") and their Microsoft or Apple account name longer (like "John Smith"), so you do not have to match them.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is trying to rename your user folder directly. On both Windows and Mac, right-clicking your user folder and selecting "Rename" will not work the way you expect — the system will either prevent it or cause problems with programs that depend on the old path. Always use the Settings menu instead, which handles the change safely.

Another mistake is confusing your account name with your password. Changing your account name does not change your password, and you do not need to enter your password to change your name. If you want to change your password at the same time, that is a separate step in Settings.

A third mistake is assuming the change takes effect when ready on Windows. On Windows, you must sign out and sign back in (or restart your computer) for the new name to appear everywhere. On Mac, the change is usually when ready, but some programs may need to be restarted to see the new name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my account name delete my files?

No. Your files remain in your user folder and are fully accessible. The folder itself keeps its original name on disk, but you can still see and use all your files normally through File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).

Can I change my account name without a password?

Yes. You do not need to enter your password to change your account name. You only need to be logged in. If you want to change your password at the same time, that is a separate step in Settings.

What if I do not see a "Rename your account" option?

You may be using a local account instead of a Microsoft account (Windows) or a managed account (Mac). Try right-clicking your account name in Settings and looking for "Rename" or "Edit" options. If nothing appears, contact your IT support — your account may be managed by your workplace or school.

Do I need to restart my computer after changing my name?

On Windows, you should sign out and sign back in, or restart your computer, for the change to take effect everywhere. On Mac, the change usually takes effect when ready, but restarting ensures all programs see the new name.

Can I change my computer name and account name to different things?

Yes. Your computer name and account name are separate. You can have a computer named "MacBook-Pro" and an account named "Sarah," or vice versa. Most people do not need to change the computer name unless they are on a network.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.