Change Your Admin Account Name Through Settings

The fastest way to change your admin account name in Windows 10 is through the Settings app. Open Settings, go to Accounts, then select Your info from the left menu. At the top of the window, you'll see your current account name. Click the Rename your account button, type your new name, and click Next. Windows will ask you to confirm—click Finish, and the change takes effect when ready without restarting.

This method works only if you're signed into the admin account you want to rename. If you're using a standard user account, you won't see the rename option. You must be logged in as the administrator whose name you're changing.

The new name appears in the Windows login screen, the Start menu, and anywhere else Windows displays your account name. This change does not affect your password or any files on your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • You can rename an admin account through Settings > Accounts > Your info by clicking the Rename your account button.
  • You must be signed into the admin account you want to rename; standard users cannot rename admin accounts.
  • The account name change appears when ready on the login screen and Start menu without requiring a restart.
  • Renaming an account does not change your password, delete files, or affect any programs installed on your computer.
  • If Settings doesn't show a rename option, you can use the Local Users and Groups tool (lusrmgr.msc) on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions.

Use Local Users and Groups for More Control

If you're running Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you can rename an admin account using the Local Users and Groups tool. This method gives you access to accounts you're not currently signed into, which is useful if you need to rename a different admin account or if Settings doesn't show the rename option.

Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type lusrmgr.msc and press Enter. In the window that opens, click the Users folder on the left. You'll see a list of all accounts on your computer. Right-click the admin account you want to rename and select Rename. Type the new name and press Enter.

Windows 10 Home edition does not include the Local Users and Groups tool, so this method is not available on that version. If you're using Home edition, the Settings method is your only option.

What Happens to Your Files and Folders

Renaming your admin account does not move, delete, or lock any of your files. Your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop folders remain exactly where they are and contain the same files. Programs you've installed continue to work normally.

However, the folder path for your user profile does not change. If your old account name was "JohnSmith" and you rename it to "John", your user profile folder remains at C:\Users\JohnSmith. Windows keeps the original folder name for technical reasons, even though your account displays the new name everywhere else.

If you have files saved in a folder named after your old account name (for example, a folder called "JohnSmith Documents"), those folder names do not change automatically. You can rename those folders yourself if you want them to match your new account name.

Renaming a Different Admin Account

If you need to rename an admin account that you're not currently signed into, you have two options. The easiest is to sign out of your current account, sign into the admin account you want to rename, and use the Settings method described above. This works on all Windows 10 editions.

Alternatively, if you're using Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you can use the Local Users and Groups tool while signed into a different admin account. Open lusrmgr.msc, find the account you want to rename in the Users folder, right-click it, and select Rename. You do not need to be signed into that account to rename it.

If you're using Windows 10 Home and need to rename a different admin account, you must sign into that account first. Windows 10 Home does not provide tools to manage other accounts from a different account.

Troubleshooting: Rename Option Doesn't Appear

If you don't see the Rename your account button in Settings, check whether you're signed into a Microsoft account or a local account. Microsoft accounts (those that use an email address to sign in) cannot be renamed through Settings. You can only rename local accounts this way.

If you're using a Microsoft account and want to change the name that appears in Windows, you need to change it through your Microsoft account settings online, not through Windows itself. Sign in to your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com, go to Your info, and look for the option to change your name there. The change may take a few minutes to appear in Windows.

If you're using a local account and still don't see the rename option, try signing out completely and signing back in. Sometimes Windows needs a fresh login to display all account options. If the problem continues, use the Local Users and Groups tool (lusrmgr.msc) if your Windows edition supports it.

Changing Your Display Name vs. Your Account Name

Windows 10 distinguishes between your account name (the name you use to sign in) and your display name (the name that appears in the Start menu and lock screen). The methods above change your display name, which is what most people see and use.

Your actual account name—the one used for file permissions and system functions—is different and much harder to change. If you need to change the account name itself (not just the display name), you must use the Local Users and Groups tool or contact Windows support, as this involves deeper system changes.

For most purposes, changing your display name through Settings is sufficient. Your display name is what appears when you sign in, what shows in the Start menu, and what appears in shared folders and user profiles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will renaming my admin account affect my password?

No. Your password remains exactly the same. You sign in with the same password you used before; only the name displayed in Windows changes. If you want to change your password as well, you can do that separately through Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.

Can I rename an admin account if I'm signed into a standard user account?

No, not through Settings. Standard user accounts cannot rename admin accounts. You must either sign into the admin account you want to rename, or use the Local Users and Groups tool if you have Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education. Windows 10 Home does not provide this tool.

What if I forget what I renamed my account to?

You can see your current account name in Settings > Accounts > Your info at the top of the window. You can also see it on the Windows login screen. If you need to check from another account, open Local Users and Groups (lusrmgr.msc) and look in the Users folder.

Does renaming my account change my user profile folder name?

No. Your user profile folder (located at C:\Users\) keeps its original name for technical reasons. If your old account name was "Sarah" and you rename it to "Sarah Johnson", your profile folder remains at C:\Users\Sarah. This does not affect how Windows works or where your files are stored.

Can I rename a Microsoft account through Windows Settings?

No. Microsoft accounts must be renamed through your Microsoft account settings online at account.microsoft.com, not through Windows. Sign in there, go to Your info, and change your name. The change appears in Windows after a few minutes.