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How to change your username in Windows 10

If you're using a cloud-based username, you can bypass Windows settings entirely if you know the right URL.
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Published onJanuary 1, 2024

There’s usually not much reason to change your username in Windows, but the need does arise  — say if your real name has changed, or “xXSephiroth420Xx” doesn’t seem that mature anymore. Here’s how to change your username in Windows 10, whether you’re using a Microsoft cloud login or a local account.

QUICK ANSWER

To change a Windows 10 username linked to a Microsoft account:

  • Go to Settings > Account > Your info.
  • Click Manage my Microsoft account. This will open a webpage.
  • Sign in and click on your username up top.
  • Click Edit name.
  • Choose new first and/or last names, complete the security test, and click Save.

JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS

How to change your Microsoft account username in Windows 10

Windows logo

As a rule, most people now sign into Windows 10 (or 11) using their Microsoft account, since that makes it possible to sync settings and storage. To edit this sort of username, you’ll need to edit your Microsoft account profile.

  • Open the Settings app.
  • Navigate to Account > Your info.
  • Click Manage my Microsoft account. This will open account.microsoft.com in your default web browser.
  • Sign into your account if necessary.
  • Click on your username up top.
  • Click Edit name.
  • Choose new first and/or last names, complete the security test, then click Save.

Bear in mind that this change will affect everything that uses your Microsoft account, not just Windows. Think twice if might affect how you appear when collaborating with others in Teams or Office, for example.

How to change your local account username in Windows 10

If you’re using a purely local account in Windows 10, the process is slightly more complicated, but doesn’t require going online and won’t affect anything beyond a single PC.

  • Make sure your account has administrator access. If it doesn’t, you won’t be able to change anything.
  • Press Windows + R to open the Run prompt.
  • Type control userpasswords2 into Run and hit Enter.
  • In the User Accounts menu, select the username you want to edit, then click Properties.
  • In the next window, enter your new username.
  • Click Apply, then OK.
  • For the change to take effect, sign out of your account, then back in.

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