The quickest way to rename your administrator account

To change the administrator name on Windows 10, open Settings, go to Accounts, select Your info, and click the account name at the top of the page. Type the new name you want and press Enter. Windows will ask you to sign out and back in for the change to take effect. The whole process takes about two minutes.

This method works if you are signed in as the administrator you want to rename. If you need to rename a different administrator account, or if you have forgotten the password, you will need to use the Local Users and Groups tool instead, which is described in the sections below.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app is the fastest way to rename your own administrator account — just go to Accounts and click your name.
  • If you need to rename a different administrator account, use the Local Users and Groups tool by typing lusrmgr.msc into the Run dialog.
  • Windows 10 Home edition does not include Local Users and Groups, so Home users must use Settings or create a second administrator account first.
  • The account name you see on the sign-in screen is separate from the folder name Windows created when you first set up the account, and changing one does not change the other.
  • You must be signed in as an administrator to rename any account on the computer.

Using Settings to rename your own administrator account

If you are currently signed in as the administrator you want to rename, the Settings method is the simplest. Click the Windows Start button, then click the gear icon to open Settings. Select Accounts, then click Your info on the left side.

At the top of the page, you will see your current account name in a blue box. Click on it, type the new name, and press Enter. Windows will display a message saying the change will take effect the next time you sign in. Sign out of your account, then sign back in. The new name will now appear on the sign-in screen and throughout Windows.

Keep in mind that this changes only the display name — the folder where Windows stores your files (usually C:\Users\[old name]) will keep its original name. This rarely causes problems, but if you want the folder name to match the new account name, you will need to use the Local Users and Groups tool instead.

Renaming a different administrator account with Local Users and Groups

If you need to rename an administrator account that you are not currently signed into, or if you want to change the folder name as well, use the Local Users and Groups tool. This tool is built into Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, but not Home edition.

Press the Windows key and R together to open the Run dialog. Type lusrmgr.msc and press Enter. A window titled "Local Users and Groups" will open. Click the folder labeled Users on the left side. You will see a list of all accounts on the computer in the center pane.

Right-click on the administrator account you want to rename and select Rename. Type the new name and press Enter. The change takes effect when ready, and the account will appear under the new name the next time someone signs in.

What happens to the user folder when you rename an account

When you rename an administrator account using Settings, Windows changes the name that appears on the sign-in screen and in the top-right corner of the Start menu, but it does not rename the user folder. If your old account name was "John" and you change it to "Jonathan," the folder will still be C:\Users\John.

This separation exists because Windows links many system files and settings to the original folder path. Renaming the folder manually can break these links and cause problems with file permissions, email clients, and other programs that store data in the user folder.

If you want the folder name to match the new account name, you have two options. The first is to create a new administrator account with the name you want, copy your files to it, and delete the old account — this is the safest method. The second is to use the Local Users and Groups tool to rename the account, then manually rename the folder using Safe Mode, but this approach carries a higher risk of breaking something and should only be attempted if you are comfortable with Windows file systems.

Renaming an administrator account on Windows 10 Home edition

Windows 10 Home does not include the Local Users and Groups tool, so your options are more limited. The Settings method described above will work fine if you are signed in as the account you want to rename.

If you need to rename a different administrator account and you do not have access to it, you will need to create a temporary administrator account first. Sign in as any administrator, open Settings, go to Accounts, and click Family & other users. Click Add someone else to this PC, create a new account, and then go back and promote it to administrator by clicking it and selecting Change account type. Once you have a second administrator account, sign into it and use Settings to rename the original account.

What to do if you have forgotten the administrator password

If you cannot sign in as the administrator account you want to rename, you will need to reset the password first. On the sign-in screen, click I forgot my password below the password field. Windows will walk you through a recovery process using a security key, phone number, or backup email address that you set up when you created the account.

If you did not set up a recovery method and you cannot remember the password, you have two options. The first is to sign in as a different administrator account and reset the password from Settings — go to Accounts, click Other users, select the account, and click Reset password. The second is to use a password reset tool designed for Windows, though these tools vary in reliability and some require you to restart the computer from a USB drive. If neither option works, you may need to contact a local computer repair service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will renaming my administrator account affect my files or programs?

No. Your files will remain in the same location, and your programs will continue to work normally. The account name change is purely cosmetic — it affects only how the account appears on the sign-in screen and in Windows menus. Your email, documents, and installed software will not be disturbed.

Can I rename the built-in Administrator account that Windows creates?

Yes, but it is not recommended. Windows 10 creates a hidden built-in Administrator account that is separate from your regular user account. You can rename it using Local Users and Groups, but most people never need to use this account, and renaming it can cause confusion. It is safer to rename your regular administrator account instead.

What is the difference between renaming an account and creating a new one?

Renaming keeps all your files, settings, and installed programs in place. Creating a new account means starting fresh — you would have to copy your files over manually and reinstall your programs. Renaming is faster and simpler if you just want a different name for the same account.

Do I need to restart Windows after renaming an administrator account?

If you renamed the account using Settings, you need to sign out and sign back in, but a full restart is not required. If you used Local Users and Groups, the change takes effect when ready, though you may want to sign out and back in to see the new name everywhere in Windows.

Can I rename an administrator account to match a different user's name?

Yes, but be careful — if two accounts have the same display name, it can become confusing which one you are signed into. Windows will allow it, but it is a good idea to keep account names distinct so you know which account you are using at any given time.