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How to change your username in Windows 11: A simple guide
Windows 11 makes it easy to change your account username and set it to anything you want. Of course, remember that your username, especially if it’s your Microsoft account name, is what people will see when they login to your computer or when you use any Microsoft services. Changing your username is quick and straightforward, but the steps differ depending on whether you have set up a local account or signed into Windows with your Microsoft account. Here’s how to change your user name in Windows 11.
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QUICK ANSWER
To change your username on Windows 11, go to Control panel > User accounts > Change account type > Change account name and enter the new username for a local account. If Windows is linked to a Microsoft account, go to Settings > Accounts > Emails and accounts. Click on your email address in the Accounts used by other apps section and click Manage. On the Microsoft account webpage, go to the Your info tab, select Edit name, and enter the new first and last names.
JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS
How to change your account name on Windows 11
Use the Search button to open the Control Panel. Click on User accounts and select Change account type.
Remember, you can use the method to only make changes to a local account that isn’t linked to Microsoft. Click on the account you want to change and select Change account name.
Type in the new account name you want to change it to and click Change name. You will now see the new username on the Welcome and Start screens.
How to change your Microsoft account name on Windows 11
Use the Search button to open Settings, go to the Accounts tab in the left-hand menu, and select Email and accounts.
Click on your Microsoft account name or email address in the Accounts used by other apps section and click Manage next to Account settings. This will take you to the Microsoft account website.
Click on the Your info tab at the top of the page and click Edit name in the profile section.
Change the first and last name, enter the Captcha characters, and click Save to change your Microsoft account name.
FAQs
Yes, you can change both local usernames and your Microsoft account name to anything you want. However, there is a 20-character limit for local usernames and a 64-character limit for first and last names when you change the name linked to your Microsoft account.
The Microsoft account name and local usernames are just the display name that others will see. The primary alias is the account option (an email address or phone number) used to sign in to Microsoft devices like a computer or an Xbox. While you can change your usernames as often as you want, you can only switch the primary alias twice a week.