Want to change the name that appears on your Windows 11 PC? Whether you’ve recently changed your name, bought a used computer, or simply want a different account name, Windows 11 gives you several ways to update it.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to change account name in Windows 11 step by step. We’ll cover both Microsoft accounts and local accounts, explain how to change the name displayed on the Windows sign-in screen, and show you what to do if your username or user folder doesn’t change.

Table of Contents

Quick Answer: How Do You Change Your Account Name in Windows 11?

The method depends on the type of account you’re using.

Microsoft account: Change your name through your Microsoft account profile online.
Local account: Use Control Panel or the netplwiz tool to change the account’s displayed name.
User folder name: Changing the account name does not automatically rename the C:\Users\Username folder.

Before making changes, it’s important to understand which type of Windows 11 account you have.

What Is an Account Name in Windows 11?

Your Windows 11 account name is the name associated with your user account.

It can appear in places such as:

The Windows sign-in screen
The Start menu
Settings
User account information
Certain Windows dialogs
Microsoft account services

Windows 11 can use either a Microsoft account or a local account.

The steps for changing the name are different for each.

Microsoft Account vs. Local Account

Before changing your account name, determine which type you’re using.

Account Type	Where You Usually Change the Name
Microsoft account	Microsoft account profile
Local account	Windows Control Panel or account tools
Work/school account	Organization-managed account settings

If you’re unsure, open:

Settings → Accounts → Your info

You’ll usually see information indicating whether you’re using a Microsoft account or a local account.

How to Change a Microsoft Account Name in Windows 11

If you sign in to Windows 11 using a Microsoft account, your Windows display name is generally connected to your Microsoft account profile.

Step 1: Open Windows Settings

Press:

Windows + I

This opens the Windows 11 Settings app.

Step 2: Open Accounts

Select:

Accounts

Then select:

Your info

Look for information related to your Microsoft account.

Step 3: Open Your Microsoft Account

If you’re using a Microsoft account, select the relevant option to manage your Microsoft account.

Your browser will open the Microsoft account website.

Step 4: Sign In

If prompted, sign in using your Microsoft account credentials.

Make sure you’re using the same Microsoft account connected to your Windows 11 PC.

Step 5: Open Your Profile

Go to your account profile information.

Look for an option such as:

Edit name

The wording may vary slightly depending on Microsoft’s current account interface.

Step 6: Enter Your New Name

Enter the first and last name you want associated with your Microsoft account.

Complete any verification step Microsoft requests.

Step 7: Save the Changes

Save the new profile information.

Your Microsoft account name should now be updated.

Step 8: Sign Out or Restart Windows

The new name may not appear everywhere immediately.

If you still see the old name, sign out of Windows or restart the computer.

After signing back in, check the Start menu and sign-in screen.

How to Change a Local Account Name in Windows 11

If you’re using a local Windows 11 account, you can change the account’s displayed name through Control Panel.

Step 1: Open Control Panel

Press:

Windows + S

Type:

Control Panel

Select Control Panel from the search results.

Step 2: Select User Accounts

Click:

User Accounts

Step 3: Open User Accounts Again

Depending on your Control Panel view, you may need to select:

User Accounts

again.

Step 4: Select Change Your Account Name

Look for:

Change your account name

Select it.

Step 5: Enter the New Account Name

Type the new name you want to use.

For example, if your current account name is:

John

you could change it to:

John Smith

Step 6: Click Change Name

Select:

Change Name

Windows will save the new account name.

Step 7: Sign Out

Sign out of Windows and sign back in.

The new name should appear in supported Windows account areas.

How to Change a Local Account Name Using netplwiz

Another option is the Windows netplwiz utility.

This method can be useful when you want more control over the account information.

Step 1: Open Run

Press:

Windows + R

Step 2: Enter netplwiz

Type:

netplwiz

Then press:

Enter

Step 3: Select Your Account

The User Accounts window will open.

Select the account whose name you want to change.

Step 4: Open Properties

Click:

Properties

Step 5: Change the User Name or Full Name

Depending on your account configuration, you may see fields such as:

User name
Full name

If your goal is to change the name displayed to users, the Full name field is usually the relevant field.

Step 6: Apply the Changes

Click:

Apply

Then click:

Step 7: Restart or Sign Out

Sign out of Windows and sign back in to see the updated account information.

How to Change the Account Name Using Command Prompt

Advanced users can also use Command Prompt.

For a local account, you can use the wmic command on Windows versions where that command remains available, but it is not the preferred approach on modern Windows 11 systems.

A safer approach for many users is to use Control Panel or netplwiz.

If you use administrative command-line tools, make sure you understand whether you’re changing the account’s display name, account name, or another property.

Can You Change the Account Name From Windows 11 Settings?

It depends on the type of account.

For a Microsoft account, Windows Settings can direct you to your Microsoft account profile, where the account name is managed.

For a local account, Windows 11 may not provide a straightforward Change account name button in the modern Settings interface.

That’s why Control Panel remains useful for changing a local account’s displayed name.

How to Change the Name on the Windows 11 Login Screen

The login screen can display your account’s name.

To change it:

For a Microsoft account

Change your name through your Microsoft account profile, then allow Windows to synchronize the updated information.

For a local account

Use:

Control Panel → User Accounts → Change your account name

Then sign out and sign back in.

Why Does My Old Account Name Still Appear?

Don’t worry if the old name doesn’t disappear immediately.

Several things can cause this.

1. Windows Hasn’t Updated Yet

Sign out and sign back in.

2. Microsoft Account Synchronization

Microsoft account changes may take some time to appear throughout Windows.

3. You’re Looking at the User Folder

Your account display name and user-profile folder are different things.

For example:

C:\Users\John

may remain unchanged even if your account display name becomes:

John Smith

This is normal.

Does Changing the Account Name Rename the Users Folder?

No.

This is one of the most important things to understand.

Suppose your Windows profile folder is:

C:\Users\John

If you change your account name to:

John Smith

Windows does not automatically rename the folder to:

C:\Users\John Smith

The profile folder is deeply connected to Windows and installed applications.

Manually renaming it can cause applications and Windows components to stop working correctly.

Should You Rename the C:\Users Folder?

Generally, no.

If you only want to change the name displayed by Windows, don’t modify the profile folder.

Changing the profile directory manually can cause problems with:

Application settings
OneDrive
Microsoft Store apps
File paths
Registry entries
Software configurations
User-profile permissions

If your goal is simply to change your displayed account name, leave the existing profile folder alone.

How to Check Your Current Windows Account Name

You can quickly check your account information.

Method 1: Settings

Open:

Settings → Accounts → Your info

You’ll see information associated with your account.

Method 2: Start Menu

Click:

Start

Your account information may appear around the account/profile area.

Method 3: Control Panel

Open:

Control Panel → User Accounts

Your local account information will be displayed there.

How to Change the Name of Another Local Account

If you have administrator privileges, you may be able to change the name of another local account.

Step 1: Open Control Panel

Search for:

Control Panel

Step 2: Open User Accounts

Select:

User Accounts

Step 3: Select Manage Another Account

Choose:

Manage another account

Step 4: Select the Account

Click the account whose name you want to change.

Step 5: Choose Change the Account Name

Select:

Change the account name

Step 6: Enter the New Name

Type the desired name.

Step 7: Save It

Click the button to confirm the change.

How to Change a Microsoft Account Name Without Changing Your Email Address

Changing your Microsoft account profile name is different from changing your email address.

You can generally update your profile name without changing the email address associated with your Microsoft account.

This means your Windows display name can change while your existing Microsoft account email remains the same.

Does Changing Your Account Name Delete Your Files?

No.

Changing your account’s displayed name does not normally delete your personal files.

Your files should remain in your existing profile.

However, you should never manually rename or move the profile folder just because you changed the displayed account name.

Does Changing Your Account Name Affect Installed Programs?

Normally, changing the account’s displayed name does not affect installed applications.

Programs should continue to work normally.

The main caution is to avoid manually changing the Windows user-profile directory.

Does Changing Your Account Name Change Your Password?

No.

Changing the account name does not change your Windows password or PIN.

Your:

Password
PIN
Windows Hello settings
Personal files

remain separate from the account display name.

Can You Change Your Windows 11 Username?

The word “username” can mean different things.

It may refer to:

Your displayed account name.
Your local account name.
Your Microsoft account profile name.
Your profile folder name.
Your sign-in email address.

These are not necessarily the same thing.

If you simply want the name shown on Windows, changing the account display name is usually enough.

Account Name vs. User Folder Name

Here’s the difference:

Item	Example
Display name	John Smith
Local account name	John
Profile folder	C:\Users\John
Microsoft account email	example@outlook.com

Changing one does not necessarily change the others.

This is why you should identify exactly what you want to change before modifying your Windows account.

How to Change Account Name When You Have a Microsoft Family Account

If the account is managed through Microsoft Family features or belongs to another person, some account information may need to be changed from the Microsoft account associated with that user.

You may also need appropriate permissions if you’re trying to change another person’s account.

What If the Change Account Name Option Is Missing?

If you don’t see the option you expected, check the following:

Check Your Account Type

Go to:

Settings → Accounts → Your info

Determine whether it’s a Microsoft or local account.

Check Your Permissions

You may need administrator privileges to change another local user’s information.

Try Control Panel

For local accounts, Control Panel can provide account-management options that aren’t obvious in the modern Settings interface.

Restart Windows

After making a change, sign out and sign back in.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Renaming the User Folder

Don’t rename C:\Users\YourName just because you changed your account name.

Mistake 2: Confusing Display Name With Email

Changing your Microsoft profile name doesn’t necessarily change your Microsoft account email address.

Mistake 3: Changing the Wrong Account

If multiple users are configured on your PC, make sure you’re modifying the intended account.

Mistake 4: Using Registry Hacks Unnecessarily

Registry modifications can cause unexpected problems. Use the built-in Windows account-management tools whenever possible.

Mistake 5: Forgetting to Sign Out

Some account-name changes aren’t immediately visible until you sign out and sign back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I change my account name in Windows 11?

For a local account, open Control Panel → User Accounts → Change your account name. For a Microsoft account, change your profile name through your Microsoft account settings.

2. Can I change my Windows 11 username?

Yes, but “username” can refer to different things. You can change the displayed account name, while the C:\Users profile folder may remain unchanged.

3. How do I change my Microsoft account name in Windows 11?

Open Settings → Accounts → Your info, access your Microsoft account profile, and update your name there.

4. How do I change a local account name in Windows 11?

Open Control Panel → User Accounts → Change your account name, enter the new name, and confirm the change.

5. Does changing my account name change my password?

No. Your password and PIN are separate from your account display name.

6. Will changing my account name delete my files?

No. Changing the displayed account name doesn’t normally delete your personal files.

7. Will changing my account name rename C:\Users?

No. Windows normally keeps the existing profile folder name.

8. Can I change the account name without changing my Microsoft email address?

Yes. Your Microsoft profile name and account email address are separate pieces of information.

9. Why does Windows still show my old name?

Sign out and sign back in or restart your PC. Microsoft account changes may also take some time to synchronize.

10. Can I change another user’s account name?

If you have the necessary administrator permissions, you can manage another local account through Control Panel.

11. Can I change my account name from Settings?

For Microsoft accounts, Settings provides access to your Microsoft account information. For local accounts, Control Panel is often the easiest way to change the displayed account name.

12. Is it safe to rename my Windows user folder?

Manually renaming the user-profile folder is not recommended unless you fully understand the consequences. It can break application paths and Windows profile settings.

13. Does changing the account name affect installed apps?

Changing only the displayed account name generally does not affect installed applications. Avoid manually changing the profile folder to prevent compatibility problems.

14. Do I need to restart Windows after changing the account name?

A full restart is not always necessary, but signing out and signing back in can help Windows display the updated name everywhere.

15. What’s the safest way to change my Windows 11 account name?

Use Microsoft’s account settings for a Microsoft account and built-in Windows account-management tools such as Control Panel for a local account. Avoid unnecessary registry edits or profile-folder renaming.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to change account name in Windows 11 is relatively simple once you know which type of account you’re using. Microsoft accounts and local accounts use different methods, so identifying your account type is the first step.

For a Microsoft account, update your profile name through your Microsoft account settings. For a local account, Control Panel provides a straightforward way to change the displayed account name.

Most importantly, remember that changing your account name is not the same as renaming your Windows user-profile folder. If your goal is simply to change the name shown on the sign-in screen or Start menu, you usually don’t need to touch the C:\Users folder.

Key Takeaways

Windows 11 supports both Microsoft and local accounts.
Microsoft account names are managed through your Microsoft account profile.
Local account names can be changed through Control Panel.
netplwiz can also be used to manage local account information.
Changing the display name doesn’t automatically rename C:\Users\Username.
Don’t manually rename your user folder unless you know exactly what you’re doing.
Changing the account name doesn’t change your password or PIN.
Your personal files should remain intact.
Sign out and sign back in if the old name continues to appear.
Always identify whether you’re changing the display name, username, email address, or profile-folder name before making changes.