If you need to change your username, you’re in the right place. Here are some easy ways to change your name on Windows.
If the person that set up your computer gave you an unusual username, or you just fancy a change, then it's worth knowing how to change it in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
As with many things in Windows, it's easy to do, but it's not always easy to figure out where to start. And, to add more confusion to the mix, there are two types of Windows accounts – local users and Microsoft online accounts.
Don't worry, though, it's simple to change your username on both types of accounts, with a little know-how.
There are a few ways to go about this task, and we'll take you through each method below. If you have a Microsoft account, you'll want to try the first method, and if you have a local account, skip to the second.
During set-up, Microsoft heavily suggests creating a Microsoft online account rather than a local user, so there's a good chance you have one of those.
If that's the case, then just follow the steps below:
It's worth noting that it can take a little while to see the username change on your PC. We recommend restarting your computer after the name change to see it take effect.
If you're using a local account, you can change your username offline in Windows. Here's how to change your username with Control Panel:
You might need to sign out and sign back in again to see the name change take effect – or you can restart your computer.
If you prefer the more direct approach, you might want to try using the Run command to edit your username. Here's how that works:
If you want to feel like an elite hacker, Windows PowerShell is the way to go. You can edit your username just by typing a couple of lines of code. Here's what you need to do:
1. Click on the start menu and type "PowerShell"
2. Type the code below and press Enter to see your current username
Get-LocalUser
3. Enter the code below, replacing the placeholder text with your current and desired usernames
Rename-LocalUser -Name "Insert your current username" -NewName "Insert the new username"
4. Hit enter, and your name will be changed
5. Log out and back in again, or restart your computer to see the change
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Luke has been working in consumer tech for over a decade and is an expert in cameras, computing, VR and audio.
He joined Pocket-lint in 2021 and can always be found writing reviews, news and features about the latest and greatest gadgets.
Outside of work, you’ll often find Luke trying to get his drone out of a tree, acquiring bruises at the skatepark or obsessively playing the latest RPG title.
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