The two ways to rename your Windows 10 account
Windows 10 lets you change your user account name in two different places, and which one you use depends on what kind of account you have. If you sign in with a Microsoft account (the kind linked to Outlook, Hotmail, or a Microsoft service), you change the name through Microsoft's website. If you use a local account (one that exists only on your computer), you change it directly in Windows settings. Both take about five minutes.
The name you see on your Windows login screen and in the Start menu is what you are changing. This is separate from your actual username folder, which Windows creates when you first set up the account — that folder name does not change, and you do not need to change it.
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft account names are changed on the Microsoft account website, not in Windows itself.
- Local account names are changed in Windows Settings under Accounts, and the change takes effect when ready.
- The folder Windows created for your account keeps its original name even after you rename the account.
- You must be signed in as an administrator to change any account name.
How to rename a local account in Windows Settings
If you use a local account, open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then select the Settings app from the results. Go to Accounts, then select Your info from the left sidebar. At the top of the window, you will see your current account name. Click the button that says Rename your account.
A dialog box will appear with your current name highlighted. Type the new name you want (up to 20 characters), then click Next. Windows will ask you to confirm — click Finish. The change takes effect when ready, and you will see the new name on your login screen and in the Start menu the next time you look.
If the Rename your account button is greyed out or missing, you are not signed in as an administrator. You will need administrator permission to make this change. Ask whoever manages the computer to do it, or switch to an administrator account first.
How to rename a Microsoft account
If you sign in with a Microsoft account, you cannot change the name from Windows Settings. Instead, go to account.microsoft.com in your web browser and sign in with your Microsoft account email and password. Click Your info in the left menu, then look for the section that shows your name.
Click Edit name (or Manage how you sign in to Microsoft if that option appears first). You will see fields for your first name and last name. Type the new names you want, then click Save. The change can take a few minutes to show up in Windows, but you do not need to restart your computer.
If you have a Microsoft account but cannot find the name-editing option, your account may be a work or school account managed by an organization. Contact your IT department or administrator — they control the name on those accounts, and you cannot change it yourself.
What happens to your user folder after you rename the account
When you rename your account, Windows does not rename the folder it created for you. If your account was originally named "John" and you rename it to "Jonathan", your user folder will still be called "C:\Users\John". This is by design — Windows keeps the folder name the same so that programs and shortcuts do not break.
You can see your actual folder name by opening File Explorer, clicking This PC, then double-clicking the Users folder. The folder inside is your original account name, even though Windows displays your new name everywhere else. You do not need to change this folder name, and doing so can cause problems with your programs and files.
If you cannot see the rename option
The most common reason the rename button is missing or greyed out is that you do not have administrator rights on the account. Windows only lets administrators change account names. If you are the only person who uses the computer, your account should be an administrator account by default, but this is worth checking.
To see what type of account you have, open Settings, go to Accounts, then select Other people from the left sidebar. Find your account name in the list. If it says "Administrator" under your name, you have the right permissions. If it says "Standard user", you will need to ask an administrator to either change your account type or rename the account for you.
Renaming a different person's account
If you are an administrator and need to rename someone else's account, open Settings and go to Accounts, then Other people. Find the account you want to rename and click it. Click Rename. Type the new name and click Next, then Finish. The change takes effect the next time that person signs in.
If the account is linked to a Microsoft account rather than a local account, you will not see a rename option here. You will need to go to account.microsoft.com and sign in as that person (or have them sign in themselves) to change the name through Microsoft's website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will renaming my account affect my files or programs?
No. Your files stay in the same place, and your programs continue to work normally. The account name change is only what Windows displays — it does not move or delete anything. Your user folder keeps its original name, so shortcuts and file paths do not break.
Can I change my account name without restarting Windows?
Yes. For local accounts, the change takes effect when ready. For Microsoft accounts, it can take a few minutes to show up in Windows, but you do not need to restart. You will see the new name the next time you look at your account settings or sign out and back in.
What if I forgot my account password and cannot sign in?
You cannot rename an account you cannot sign into. You will need to reset your password first. On the Windows login screen, click I forgot my password and follow the recovery steps. Once you can sign in again, you can rename the account.
Can I rename my account to something with special characters or spaces?
Windows allows spaces and most punctuation in account names, but some characters like asterisks, question marks, and forward slashes are not permitted. If you try to use a forbidden character, Windows will tell you and ask you to choose a different name.
Does changing my account name change my email address?
No. If you have a Microsoft account, your email address stays the same — only the display name changes. You still sign in with your email address. The display name is just what appears in Windows and in Microsoft services.