How to Change Your User Name in Windows 11

How you change your user name in Windows 11 depends on your account type. If you sign in with a Microsoft account, change your name online at account.microsoft.com > Your info > Edit name, and it updates on your PC the next time you sign in. If you use a local account, open Control Panel > User Accounts > User Accounts > Change your account name, type the new name, and click Change Name.

Changing your display name doesn’t rename your user folder (like C:\Users\alex). Below you’ll find each method step by step, plus what to know before trying to rename the folder.

Which account do you have?

Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info. If you see an email address under your name, it’s a Microsoft account. If it says Local account, it’s a local account.

Method 1: Change the name on a Microsoft account

1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and click Accounts (or Manage my accounts). You can also go straight to account.microsoft.com and sign in.
2. Click Your info at the top.
3. Next to your name, click Edit name.
4. Enter your new first and last name, complete the verification if asked, and click Save.
5. Sign out of Windows and sign back in. It can take a little while for the new name to appear.

This changes your name in Outlook, Teams, and other Microsoft services too.

Method 2: Change the name on a local account

1. Press Windows + R, type control, and press Enter to open Control Panel.
2. Click User Accounts, then User Accounts again.
3. Click Change your account name.
4. Type the new name and click Change Name.

You need to be an administrator. To rename a different local user, click Manage another account, choose the account, and click Change the account name.

Method 3: Use Netplwiz

1. Press Windows + R, type netplwiz, and press Enter.
2. Select the account and click Properties.
3. Change the Full name (the name shown on the sign-in screen). You can also change the User name used to sign in to a local account.
4. Click OK and restart your PC.

What about the user folder name?

Windows doesn’t rename the C:\Users\ folder when you change your account name. Renaming it requires editing the registry and can break apps, shortcuts, and OneDrive if anything goes wrong. The safer way to get a folder with a new name is to create a new local account with the name you want, sign in to it once, move your files over, and then switch it to your Microsoft account if you like.

Troubleshooting

• The old name still shows on the sign-in screen: Sign out and back in, or restart. For Microsoft accounts, wait a bit and make sure you’re online.
• Change your account name is missing: You’re using a Microsoft account. Use Method 1.
• Work or school PC: Your organization controls the name. Ask your IT department.

Related: Find your Windows username.

Frequently asked questions

Will changing my user name delete anything?

No. Your files, apps, and settings stay the same.

Does this change my computer’s name?

No. To rename the PC, go to Settings > System > About > Rename this PC.

Can I hide my email on the sign-in screen?

Yes. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and turn off Show account details such as my email address on the sign-in screen.

Why does my old name still show after changing it?

For a Microsoft account, the new name is saved online and can take a little while to reach the PC. Sign out and back in, or restart. If it still shows the old name after a day, make sure you changed the name on the same Microsoft account you use to sign in to Windows.

Can I use Control Panel instead of Settings?

Yes, for a local account. Open Control Panel > User Accounts > User Accounts > Change your account name, type the new name, and select Change Name. Microsoft accounts send you to the account website instead.