The Two Ways to Change Your User Name in Windows 10
Windows 10 lets you change the name that appears on your sign-in screen and in the Start menu in two different ways, depending on what kind of account you have. If you use a local account (one that exists only on your computer), you change the name through Settings. If you use a Microsoft account (one tied to an email address and your Microsoft profile), you change the name through your Microsoft account online, and the change syncs to your computer automatically.
The method you use depends on which type of account you are signed into right now. You can tell which one you have by opening Settings and looking at the account section — it will say either "Local account" or show your email address. Both methods take about five minutes and do not require a restart.
Key Takeaways
- Local accounts are changed through Windows Settings under Accounts, and the change happens when ready on your computer only.
- Microsoft accounts are changed online at account.microsoft.com, and the new name appears on your computer the next time you sign in.
- You do not need administrator rights to change your own account name, but you do need to know your current password.
- Changing your user name does not affect your files, folders, or installed programs — they stay exactly where they are.
- The name that appears on your sign-in screen is separate from your computer's device name, which is changed in a different Settings menu.
How to Change a Local Account Name in Windows 10
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then click the Settings app. Go to Accounts in the left sidebar, then click Your info at the top. You will see your current account name displayed under your profile picture.
Click the button that says Rename your account. A text box will appear with your current name highlighted. Delete the old name and type the new one. Click Next, then click Finish. The change takes effect when ready — you will see the new name on your Start menu and sign-in screen right away.
If you do not see a "Rename your account" button, you are using a Microsoft account, not a local account. In that case, follow the Microsoft account method below instead.
How to Change a Microsoft Account Name in Windows 10
Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Sign in with your email address and password if you are not already signed in. Click Your info in the left sidebar, then look for the section labeled Account name or Display name.
Click Edit name or the pencil icon next to your current name. Type your new name in the text box that appears. Click Save. Microsoft will ask you to confirm your identity — you may need to enter a code sent to your email or phone number. Once confirmed, the change is saved to your Microsoft account.
The new name will appear on your Windows 10 computer the next time you sign out and sign back in, or the next time you restart. If you are signed into multiple devices with the same Microsoft account, the new name will appear on all of them.
What Happens to Your Files and Programs When You Change Your Name
Your files, folders, documents, and installed programs do not move or disappear when you change your user name. Everything stays in the same place on your hard drive. Your Desktop, Documents, Downloads, and Pictures folders remain accessible exactly as they were before.
The only thing that changes is the display name — the text that appears on your sign-in screen, Start menu, and in Settings. Behind the scenes, Windows keeps track of your account by a unique identifier, not by the name you see. This is why the change is safe and does not break anything.
The Difference Between Your User Name and Your Device Name
Your user name is the name of your account — the one that appears on the sign-in screen and Start menu. Your device name is the name of your computer itself, which appears in File Explorer and on your network. These are two separate things, and changing one does not change the other.
If you want to change your device name instead, open Settings, go to System, then click About on the left sidebar. Click Rename this PC, type a new name, and click Next. You will need to restart your computer for the device name change to take effect. Most people do not need to change their device name — it is mainly useful if you are on a network and want your computer to have a recognizable name.
What to Do If You Forgot Your Password
If you are trying to change your account name but cannot remember your password, you cannot complete the change until you reset it. For a local account, restart your computer and try signing in with a blank password — some local accounts are set up without a password by default. If that does not work, you will need to use another administrator account on the computer to reset your password, or use a password reset disk if you created one earlier.
For a Microsoft account, go to account.microsoft.com and click Can't access your account? on the sign-in page. Follow the steps to verify your identity using your phone number or backup email address. Microsoft will send you a code to reset your password. Once you have reset it, you can sign back into your computer and change your account name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my user name affect my email or Microsoft account?
No. Your email address stays the same. If you change your display name on your Microsoft account, that is separate from your email address — people will still reach you at the same email. Your sign-in name (the email you use to log in) does not change.
Can I change my user name if I am not the administrator?
You can change your own account name without administrator rights. If you want to change someone else's account name, you need to be signed in as an administrator. You cannot change an administrator account name unless you are signed in as that administrator or another administrator.
What if I change my name and then want to change it back?
You can change your account name as many times as you want using the same method you used the first time. There is no limit to how many times you can rename your account. Just follow the steps for your account type (local or Microsoft) again.
Does the user name change show up on other computers?
If you use a local account, the name change only appears on that one computer. If you use a Microsoft account, the new name syncs to any other computer where you are signed in with the same Microsoft account. The change may take a few minutes to appear on other devices.
Can I use special characters or spaces in my new user name?
For local accounts, Windows allows spaces and most characters, but some special characters like asterisks, question marks, and quotation marks are not allowed. For Microsoft accounts, you can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation. If you try to use a character that is not allowed, Windows will show an error message and ask you to choose a different one.