Where to find the name setting on your computer

Your Windows computer stores your account name in two places: the account itself and the display name that appears on the sign-in screen and in the Start menu. You can change the display name without a password, but changing the actual account name requires administrator access. Most people only need to change the display name, which takes about two minutes.

The quickest route is through Settings. Open the Start menu, type "Settings" and press Enter. Go to Accounts, then Your info. You will see your current account name at the top of the page. Click on it and type the new name you want to use.

If you are using Windows 10, the button may say "Rename your account" instead. Click that, enter your new name, and select Next. Windows will ask you to confirm — click Finish and you are done. The change takes effect the next time you sign in.

Key Takeaways

  • The display name (what shows in the Start menu) can be changed in Settings under Accounts without needing a password.
  • The actual account folder name on your hard drive cannot be changed through Settings and requires administrator command-line access if you need to change it.
  • Changing your display name does not affect your files, passwords, or any programs you have installed.
  • If you share a computer with others, each person has their own account name and can change only their own display name.

Why you might want to change your account name

People change their account name for several reasons. You may have set up Windows with a temporary name and want something more personal. You might have married, divorced, or changed your name legally and want your computer to match. Or you may have inherited a computer with someone else's name still on it.

Changing the display name is harmless — it does not affect your files, your password, your email, or any programs installed on the computer. Windows keeps all your personal files in a folder tied to your account, and that folder will still be yours no matter what name you display.

Changing the display name versus the account folder name

Windows actually uses two different names. The display name is what you see in the Start menu, on the sign-in screen, and in Settings. The account folder name is the name of the hidden folder where Windows stores your files — usually something like C:\Users\YourName.

When you change the name in Settings, you are changing only the display name. The folder name stays the same. This is fine for almost everyone — you will never see the folder name unless you open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users.

If you need to change the actual folder name (which is rare), you cannot do it through Settings. You would need to use the Command Prompt as an administrator, which involves typing commands rather than clicking buttons. Most people do not need to do this.

What happens to your files and programs when you change your name

Your files stay exactly where they are. Windows does not move, delete, or rename any of your documents, photos, downloads, or anything else. Your Desktop, Documents, Pictures, and Downloads folders all remain accessible and unchanged.

Any programs you have installed will continue to work. Your passwords, browser history, email accounts, and settings all stay the same. The only visible change is what appears in the Start menu and on the sign-in screen.

Changing the name on a shared computer

If multiple people use the same computer, each person has their own account with their own name and files. You can only change the name of the account you are currently signed into. You cannot change someone else's account name unless you have administrator access to their account.

If you are the main administrator and need to change another person's account name, sign into their account first, then follow the same steps in Settings. Alternatively, you can right-click on their account name in Settings under Accounts and Other people, but the Settings method is simpler.

If you forgot your password and cannot sign in

You cannot change your account name if you cannot sign into Windows. If you have forgotten your password, you will need to reset it first. On the sign-in screen, click "I forgot my password" and follow the recovery steps — Windows will ask you security questions or send a code to your email or phone.

Once you have reset your password and signed back in, you can change your account name using the steps above. If you do not have access to your recovery email or phone number, you may need to create a new administrator account on the computer, which is more involved.

Changing your Microsoft account name versus your local account name

If you signed into Windows with a Microsoft account (your email address), changing your display name in Settings changes only what appears on your computer. Your actual Microsoft account email address and name stay the same across all your devices and services.

If you want to change your Microsoft account name itself — the name associated with your email, OneDrive, and other Microsoft services — you need to do that through the Microsoft account website, not through Windows Settings. That is a separate process and affects all your Microsoft devices and services.

If you are using a local account (a name and password stored only on your computer, not tied to Microsoft), changing the name in Settings is the only name change available to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my account name affect my Microsoft account or email?

No. Changing your display name in Windows Settings changes only what appears on your computer. Your Microsoft account email, password, and services remain unchanged. If you want to change your actual Microsoft account name, you must do that on the Microsoft account website.

Can I change my account name if I do not have administrator access?

You can change your own display name without administrator access. If you need to change someone else's account name or change the actual account folder name, you will need administrator access to that account.

What if the name change does not appear after I restart?

Sign out completely and sign back in. The display name updates when you sign in again, not when ready. If it still does not appear, go back to Settings and check that your change was saved — sometimes the page does not update visually even though the change went through.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my new account name?

Yes, you can use spaces and most characters in your display name. Windows is flexible with display names. If you are changing the actual account folder name through Command Prompt, there are more restrictions, but for the display name in Settings, you have wide freedom.

Do I need to restart Windows after changing my name?

You do not need to restart, but you do need to sign out and sign back in for the change to appear everywhere. A full restart is not necessary.