Where to find the name setting on your computer
Your computer displays a name in two places: the account name that appears on the login screen, and the full name associated with that account. On Windows, you change the account name through Settings. On Mac, you use System Settings. Both take about two minutes and require you to be logged in as an administrator — the account type that can make system-wide changes.
The name you see when you turn on your computer is tied to a user account, not to your actual identity documents. Changing it does not change your name anywhere else — not on your driver's license, not on government records, not on accounts with banks or employers. It only changes what appears on your computer's login screen and in file folders.
Key Takeaways
- Windows and Mac both let you change your account name through their settings menus without restarting your computer.
- You must be logged in as an administrator to change the account name; a standard user account cannot make this change.
- Changing your computer name is separate from changing your user account name, and you may need to do both depending on what you want to change.
- Files and folders you created before the name change will still be accessible, though the path to them may look different in some places.
- If you forget your password, you cannot change the account name without resetting it first through your Microsoft or Apple account.
How to change your account name on Windows 10 and 11
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the Settings app. Go to Accounts in the left menu, then click Your info. At the top of the screen you will see your current account name. Click the Rename your account button, type the new name, and click Next. Windows will ask you to confirm; click Finish and you are done.
The change takes effect when ready. You do not need to restart your computer. The next time you log out and back in, the new name will appear on the login screen. If you share your computer with other people, their accounts are not affected — only your account changes.
If the Rename your account button is grayed out, you are not logged in as an administrator. Ask whoever set up the computer to change it for you, or contact them to give your account administrator rights.
How to change your account name on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click General in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click About. You will see your computer name at the top. Click the Edit button next to it, type the new name, and click Done.
On older Mac computers running Monterey or earlier, go to System Preferences instead of System Settings, then click Sharing. The computer name field is at the top. Type your new name and press Enter.
If you want to change the name of your user account itself (the name that appears on the login screen), that process is more involved. Go to System Settings, click General, then Users & Groups. Click the lock icon at the bottom to unlock it, then right-click your account and select Advanced Options. You can change the full name there, though the short account name (used for file paths) requires more steps and is usually left alone.
The difference between computer name and account name
Your computer name is what appears when you connect to a network or share files with other computers. Your account name is what appears on your login screen and in file paths. They are separate things, and you may want to change one or both.
If you only care what appears on your login screen, change the account name. If you want your computer to show a different name when it connects to your home network or a workplace network, change the computer name. Most people only need to change the account name.
What happens to your files after you change your name
Files and folders you created before the name change remain on your computer and you can still open them. On Windows, the folder path may still show your old account name in some places, even though you are logged in under the new name. This is normal and does not affect your ability to use the files.
If you use cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or iCloud, those services are tied to your email address, not your computer account name. Changing your computer name does not change anything in the cloud. Files you sync to your computer will continue to sync normally.
If you cannot change your account name
The most common reason you cannot change your account name is that you are not logged in as an administrator. If you are the only person who uses the computer, your account should be an administrator account by default. If it is not, you will need to contact whoever set up the computer.
If you are locked out of your account or have forgotten your password, you cannot change the account name until you reset the password. On Windows, you can reset your password using your Microsoft account at the login screen. On Mac, you can reset your password using your Apple ID or a recovery key if you set one up when you created the account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my computer name affect my email or online accounts?
No. Your email address, social media accounts, and online services are tied to your email and passwords, not to your computer's name. Changing your computer name does not change anything about your accounts or how you log into them.
Can I change my account name back to what it was before?
Yes. Follow the same steps you used to change it the first time. You can change your account name as many times as you want. There is no limit and no record kept of previous names.
What if I share my computer with someone else?
Each person who uses the computer has their own account with their own name. Changing your account name only changes what appears when you log in. Other people's accounts are not affected.
Does changing my computer name require a restart?
No. The change takes effect when ready on both Windows and Mac. You do not need to restart your computer or log out and back in, though the new name may not appear everywhere until you do.
Can I use special characters or spaces in my new account name?
On Windows, you can use spaces and most characters. On Mac, avoid special characters like @ # $ % in your account name, as they can cause problems with some programs. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens.