The Two Ways to Rename Your Administrator Account
You can change your administrator account name in Windows 11 through the Settings app or through Local Users and Groups. The Settings app is the simpler route for most people and works on all Windows 11 versions. Local Users and Groups is faster if you are comfortable navigating system tools, but it is only available on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions—not Home.
Both methods rename the account itself, not just the display name. The change takes effect when ready, though you may need to sign out and back in to see it everywhere on your computer. Any shortcuts, file paths, or programs that reference the old account name by its full path will need to be updated manually.
Key Takeaways
- The Settings app method works on all Windows 11 editions and requires you to go to Settings > Accounts > Your info, then click your account name to edit it.
- Local Users and Groups is faster but only available on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education—open it by pressing Windows key + R, typing lusrmgr.msc, and double-clicking your account.
- You must be signed in as an administrator to change an administrator account name.
- After renaming, sign out completely and sign back in so Windows updates all your profile folders and settings correctly.
- If you forget your new account name, you can still recover it through Safe Mode or by using another administrator account.
Renaming Your Account Through Settings
Open the Settings app by pressing Windows key + I, or click the Start button, then Settings. Navigate to Accounts on the left sidebar, then click Your info at the top of the main panel. You will see your current account name displayed under "Account settings."
Click the blue text that shows your account name. A text field will appear where you can type your new name. Windows 11 account names can be up to 20 characters long and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, but not spaces or special characters like @, #, or $. Type your new name, then click Next.
Windows will ask you to confirm the change. Click Finish. You may see a message asking you to sign out for the change to take full effect. Close Settings, then sign out by clicking the Start button, your profile picture in the top right, and Sign out. Sign back in with your new account name.
Renaming Your Account Through Local Users and Groups
This method is only available on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type lusrmgr.msc and press Enter. The Local Users and Groups window will open.
In the left panel, click Users. You will see a list of all user accounts on your computer in the main panel. Right-click the administrator account you want to rename and select Rename. The account name will become editable. Type your new name and press Enter.
Close the Local Users and Groups window. Sign out of Windows completely, then sign back in. The new account name will now appear on your sign-in screen and throughout Windows.
What Happens to Your Files and Folders After Renaming
When you rename an administrator account, Windows does not automatically rename your user profile folder (usually located at C:\Users\YourAccountName). The folder will still have your old account name. This does not affect normal use—Windows knows to look there regardless of what your account is called.
However, if you have shortcuts, batch files, or programs that reference your old profile path by name, those will break. For example, if a program was set to save files to C:\Users\OldName\Documents, it will no longer find that path after you rename your account. You will need to update those paths manually or recreate the shortcuts.
If you want to rename the profile folder itself to match your new account name, you will need to create a new administrator account, sign into it, then use File Explorer to rename the old folder. This is optional and only necessary if programs are looking for the old path.
Troubleshooting: Account Name Changes That Do Not Appear
If you changed your account name but it still shows the old name in some places, you may not have signed out completely. Close all open programs and windows, then sign out through the Start menu rather than just locking your computer. Wait a few seconds after signing out, then sign back in.
If the old name still appears in File Explorer or on your desktop, restart your computer. Windows sometimes caches the old name in memory and needs a full restart to update it everywhere. After restarting, sign in again and check whether the new name appears.
If you are using a Microsoft account instead of a local account, the display name in Settings may be different from your actual account name. The display name is what appears on your sign-in screen and in the Start menu, while the account name is what Windows uses internally. You can change the display name separately by clicking Manage your Microsoft account in the Your info section of Settings.
Changing a Different Administrator Account Name
If you want to rename a different administrator account (not the one you are currently signed into), you must be signed in as an administrator yourself. Use the Local Users and Groups method: press Windows key + R, type lusrmgr.msc, click Users, right-click the account you want to rename, and select Rename.
Alternatively, open Settings, go to Accounts, then click Other users on the left sidebar. Find the administrator account you want to rename, click it, then click Rename. Type the new name and confirm.
Recovering or Resetting a Forgotten Administrator Account Name
If you renamed your administrator account and forgot the new name, you can still recover it. Restart your computer and sign in using a different administrator account if you have one. Open Settings, go to Accounts > Other users, and you will see all account names listed there.
If you only have one administrator account and cannot remember the name, restart your computer in Safe Mode. Press and hold Shift while clicking the power button on your sign-in screen, then select Restart. After your computer restarts, you will see additional sign-in options. You may be able to see account names listed or use the built-in Administrator account if it is enabled. Once you are back in, you can rename the account again to something you will remember.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my account name if I use a Microsoft account instead of a local account?
Yes, but the process is different. Your Microsoft account has both a display name (what shows on your sign-in screen) and an account name (your email address). You can change the display name through Settings > Accounts > Your info > Manage your Microsoft account, but your actual account name remains your email address. Windows will still recognize you by your email when you sign in.
Will changing my administrator account name affect my passwords or sign-in?
No. Your password stays the same. You will sign in with your new account name and the same password you used before. Windows keeps your password separate from your account name, so renaming does not reset or change it.
What if I get an error saying I cannot rename the account?
Make sure you are signed in as an administrator. If you are trying to rename your own account, you should have permission. If you are trying to rename a different account, right-click the Settings app or Local Users and Groups and select Run as administrator to open it with full permissions. If the error persists, restart your computer and try again.
Can I change my account name back to what it was before?
Yes. Follow the same steps you used to rename it the first time. You can change your account name as many times as you want. Just remember that any file paths or shortcuts referencing the old name will need to be updated each time you change it.
Does renaming my administrator account affect other user accounts on the computer?
No. Each account is separate. Renaming one administrator account does not change any other user accounts or affect their files, settings, or permissions. Other users will not see any change when they sign in.