Change Your User Name Through Settings

The fastest way to change your user name on Windows 10 is through the Settings app. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then select the Settings app. Go to Accounts, then Your info on the left side. You'll see your current user name displayed at the top of the page. Click the Rename your account button, type your new name, and click Next. Windows will ask you to confirm the change—click Finish and restart your computer for the change to take effect.

This method changes only the display name that appears on your sign-in screen and Start menu. It does not change your user folder name or your account's internal system name. For most people, this is the only change needed.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app method (Accounts > Your info > Rename your account) is the simplest way to change what name appears on your sign-in screen and Start menu.
  • Changing your display name through Settings does not change your user folder name or affect your files and programs.
  • If you need to change your user folder name, you must use the Local Users and Groups tool or create a new account and transfer files.
  • Always restart your computer after making a name change so Windows can update all the places where your name appears.
  • If you are using a Microsoft account instead of a local account, changing your name in Settings will sync across all your Windows devices.

Change Your User Folder Name (Advanced)

The user folder—the directory that holds your Documents, Downloads, Desktop, and other personal files—keeps its original name even after you change your display name. If you want to change this folder name as well, the process is more involved and requires using the Local Users and Groups tool.

Press Windows key + R, type lusrmgr.msc, and press Enter. In the Local Users and Groups window, click Users in the left panel. Right-click your account name and select Rename. Type the new name and press Enter. You will need to restart your computer, and Windows will update your user folder name automatically on the next startup. This change affects where Windows stores your personal files, so do not interrupt the restart process.

This method works only on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions. Windows 10 Home does not include the Local Users and Groups tool. If you have Windows 10 Home and need to change your folder name, you will need to create a new account and manually move your files to the new user folder.

What Happens to Your Files and Programs

Changing your user name does not affect your files, programs, or settings. All your documents, photos, and installed software remain exactly where they are and work the same way. Windows straightforward updates the label that appears in the file system and on your sign-in screen.

If you changed your display name only (through Settings), your user folder keeps its original name, and Windows knows to look there for your files. If you changed your folder name using Local Users and Groups, Windows automatically moves your entire user folder to the new location during the restart. In both cases, you will not lose anything.

Change Your Name on a Microsoft Account

If you sign into Windows 10 with a Microsoft account (rather than a local account), you can change your display name either through Windows Settings or through your Microsoft account online. The Settings method works the same way: go to Accounts > Your info > Rename your account.

Alternatively, you can visit account.microsoft.com, sign in, and go to Your info. Click Manage your Microsoft account, then Edit name. Type your new first and last name and click Save. This change will sync to all devices where you use that Microsoft account, including other Windows 10 computers, tablets, and Xbox consoles.

Undo a Name Change

If you change your mind about your new user name, you can change it back at any time using the same method. Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info > Rename your account, type your old name, and click Finish. Restart your computer, and the change takes effect when ready.

There is no limit to how many times you can rename your account. Windows does not track previous names or require a waiting period between changes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not restart your computer before Windows finishes the rename process. If you force a shutdown or restart during the change, Windows may not update all the places where your name appears, and you could end up with mismatched names in different parts of the system. Always wait for the restart prompt and let Windows complete the process on its own.

Do not confuse your user name with your password. Changing your user name does not change your password, and you will still sign in the same way. If you want to change your password, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password > Change.

If you are using a local account and want to change your folder name, do not manually rename the folder yourself. Use the Local Users and Groups tool instead, because Windows needs to update internal references to the folder. Manually renaming the folder can break your user profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your user name on Windows 10 is separate from your email address or Microsoft account name. If you sign in with a Microsoft account, changing your Windows display name will not change your email or account login. You sign in with your email address regardless of what name appears on your computer.

Can I change my user name if I forgot my password?

No. You must sign in to your account before you can change your user name. If you forgot your password, you will need to reset it first. On the sign-in screen, click "I forgot my password" and follow the recovery steps using your security questions or recovery email.

What is the difference between display name and user folder name?

Your display name is what appears on the sign-in screen and Start menu. Your user folder name is the name of the directory where Windows stores your Documents, Downloads, Desktop, and other personal files. Changing your display name through Settings does not change your folder name. You need the Local Users and Groups tool to change the folder name separately.

Do I need to restart my computer after changing my user name?

Yes. Windows will prompt you to restart after you confirm the name change. The restart is necessary so Windows can update all the places where your name appears throughout the system. Do not skip this step.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my user name?

Yes, you can use spaces and most special characters in your display name. However, if you are changing your user folder name through Local Users and Groups, Windows has restrictions on which characters are allowed in folder names. Avoid using forward slashes, backslashes, colons, asterisks, question marks, quotation marks, and angle brackets in folder names.