The fastest way to change your Windows 10 login name
You can change the name that appears on your Windows 10 login screen and in the Start menu through the Settings app in about two minutes. The process is straightforward: open Settings, go to Accounts, select Your info, and click the "Rename your account" button. Windows will ask you to confirm the change, and the new name takes effect the next time you sign in.
This method works whether you use a local account (one stored only on your computer) or a Microsoft account (linked to your email address). The steps are the same either way, though a Microsoft account change may take a few minutes to sync across your devices if you use Windows on multiple computers.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings, select Accounts, then Your info, and click "Rename your account" to change your login name in under two minutes.
- The new name appears on your login screen and Start menu when ready after you sign out and back in.
- If you use a Microsoft account, the change syncs to other Windows devices linked to the same email address.
- You cannot change your username through the Control Panel or by renaming your user folder — Settings is the only supported method.
Step-by-step: changing your account name in Settings
Start by opening the Settings app. The fastest way is to press the Windows key and type "settings," then press Enter. Once Settings opens, click on "Accounts" in the left sidebar.
On the Accounts page, click "Your info" at the top of the left menu. You will see your current account name displayed prominently. Below it, click the blue button labeled "Rename your account." A text box will appear with your current name highlighted. Delete the old name and type the new one you want to use.
Click the "Next" button, then "Finish" to confirm the change. Windows will ask you to sign out and sign back in for the change to take full effect. You can do this right away or wait until later — the new name will appear on your login screen the next time you restart your computer.
What changes and what stays the same
Your account name change affects what you see on the login screen, the Start menu, and anywhere else Windows displays your user name. It does not change your password, your user folder location on the hard drive, or any of your files and settings.
If you use a Microsoft account, the name change syncs to any other Windows devices you sign into with the same email address. If you use a local account, the change applies only to that computer. Either way, programs you have installed and your personal files remain exactly where they are.
The difference between account name and username
Windows uses two different identifiers for your account, and it is important to understand which one you are changing. The account name is the display name — what shows on the login screen and in the Start menu. This is what the Settings method changes, and it is what most people mean when they say they want to change their login name.
The username (also called the user folder name) is a technical identifier stored in the system and used for file permissions. It is the name of your user folder in C:\Users\. Changing the account name does not change the username, and Windows does not provide a straightforward way to change the username without creating a new account. If you need to change the username itself, you would need to create a new local account and transfer your files — a more involved process that most people do not need to do.
If you use a Microsoft account instead of a local account
If your Windows 10 login uses a Microsoft account (your email address), the process is the same through Settings. However, the name you set in Settings is separate from your Microsoft account profile name. If you want to change the name associated with your Microsoft account across all your devices and services, you would need to change it through the Microsoft account website as well.
To change your Microsoft account profile name, go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and click "Your info." From there you can edit your name. This change syncs across all your devices and affects how your name appears in Outlook, OneDrive, and other Microsoft services. The Settings method on Windows 10 changes only the local display name on that computer.
Troubleshooting if the rename button does not appear
If you do not see the "Rename your account" button in Your info, the most common reason is that you are signed in with a Microsoft account and do not have administrator rights on the computer. Ask the person who set up the computer to make the change, or ask them to give your account administrator status.
Another possibility is that your account is managed by an organization — a school or employer. In that case, you cannot change the name through Settings. Contact your IT department or school tech support to request a name change.
Why you might want to change your login name
People change their login names for many reasons: a name change in life, a desire for privacy, or straightforward because the original name was set up hastily and no longer fits. Unlike changing a password, changing your account name does not affect security — it is purely a display preference. You can change it as many times as you want.
If you share a computer with other people, changing your account name makes it clearer which account is yours on the login screen. If you use the computer for work, a professional name may be more appropriate than a nickname.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my account name affect my passwords or login process?
No. Your password stays the same, and you sign in the same way. The account name change is purely cosmetic — it only changes what you see displayed on the screen, not how you sign in or what you can access.
Can I change my account name back to the old one?
Yes. You can change your account name as many times as you want using the same Settings method. There is no limit on how often you can rename your account.
If I change my account name, do I need to reinstall my programs?
No. Your programs, files, and settings all stay in place. The account name change does not affect anything on your computer except the display name.
What if I forgot my password and need to sign in with a different name?
Changing your account name will not help you sign in if you have forgotten your password. You need to reset your password instead. If you use a Microsoft account, go to the Windows login screen, click "I forgot my password," and follow the recovery steps. If you use a local account, you will need to use a password reset disk or contact someone with administrator access.
Does changing my account name on one computer change it on all my devices?
Only if you use a Microsoft account. If you sign in with the same Microsoft email on multiple Windows devices, the name change syncs to all of them. If you use a local account, the change applies only to that specific computer.