How to Find Computer Username and Password in Windows 11: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Need to find your computer username and password in Windows 11? You’re in the right place. In this friendly, step-by-step guide we’ll show you how to locate account names, where passwords are stored (and where they are not), and—crucially—safe, legitimate ways to regain access if you’ve forgotten your password. We’ll avoid risky hacks and focus on methods that respect security and ownership.

This guide is for people who own or are authorized to access the computer. If you don’t have permission, don’t proceed — trying to bypass someone else’s account is illegal and unethical.

Table of Contents

Quick overview — what this guide covers

How to find your username in Windows 11 (multiple ways).
Where Windows stores sign-in credentials (and why you can’t “view” saved passwords directly).
Safe ways to recover or reset a forgotten password (Microsoft account, local account, admin account, password reset disk).
What not to do — dangerous or illegal work-arounds to avoid.
Helpful tips, troubleshooting steps, and five FAQs.

Why you might need your username or password

You’re setting up apps that require the Windows account name.
You forgot which account you used to sign in.
You need to reset or change a password safely.
You’re troubleshooting permissions or network access.

1 — How to find your Windows 11 username — quick methods

Want a fast answer? Try one of these quick checks first:

Look at the sign-in screen (it often shows your account name).
Open Settings → Accounts to view the signed-in account.
Check your user folder in File Explorer (C:\Users\) — the folder name is typically your username.
Use the whoami command in Command Prompt to display the current account (we cover this below).

2 — Find your username from the sign-in screen

If you’re at the login screen but don’t remember which account is which:

On the Windows 11 sign-in screen, look at the user tile — it usually displays the display name (e.g., “Waheed Officially”) and sometimes the username (email for Microsoft accounts).
If multiple accounts appear, pick the one you think is yours and sign in (or try password recovery).

Note: A Microsoft account will typically show an email address; a local account may show a display name only.

3 — Find username in Settings (Accounts)

If you can sign in, Settings makes it easy:

Press Win + I to open Settings.
Go to Accounts → Your info.
You’ll see either your Microsoft account email or the local account display name here.
For more account details, go to Settings → Accounts → Family & other users to view all accounts on the PC.

4 — Find username using File Explorer (C:\Users)

Your user profile folder usually matches your username:

Open File Explorer (Win + E).
Navigate to C:\Users\.
You’ll see folder names for each account profile — C:\Users\waheed, C:\Users\Public, etc.
The folder name is often the local account username (or a short form of your Microsoft account name).

5 — Find username with Task Manager or Command Prompt (whoami)

A couple of quick command-based methods:

Task Manager:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Click the Users tab — it shows account names currently signed in.

Command Prompt:

Open Start, type cmd, and open Command Prompt.
Type:

whoami
Press Enter.
Output shows COMPUTERNAME\username — that’s your current account name.

6 — Find all local user accounts (`net user`)

If you have administrative access and want a list of local users:

Open Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
Type:

net user
Press Enter.
You’ll see a list of local accounts defined on the PC.

Use this only on machines you own or are authorized to manage.

7 — Where Windows stores passwords — and why you can’t (and shouldn’t) read them

Important clarification: Windows does not store account passwords in plain text. Passwords are stored as secure hashes; you cannot retrieve the original password from these hashes.

Where credentials are stored:

Local account password hashes are stored in the Security Account Manager (SAM), protected by the OS. You can’t view them.
Microsoft account passwords are stored on Microsoft’s servers — you reset them via Microsoft’s website.
Saved web and app passwords may be stored in browsers or the Windows Credential Manager (encrypted). Browsers let you view saved site passwords if you can authenticate locally (e.g., type your Windows password).

Why you can’t read them:

This is by design — to protect you. If Windows let anyone see stored passwords easily, accounts would be at huge risk.

8 — View saved passwords for websites and apps (browsers & Credential Manager)

If you need a saved password for a website or network resource and you’re signed in:

Browser passwords

Chrome: Settings → autofill → Passwords → view saved passwords (you’ll need to confirm your Windows password or device PIN).
Edge: Settings → Profiles → Passwords → view (also requires OS authentication).
Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Saved Logins → view (requires master password if set).

Windows Credential Manager (for network credentials)

Press Win, type Credential Manager, and open it.
Under Windows Credentials or Web Credentials, you can view saved items.
To reveal a password, click the item and choose Show — Windows will prompt you to authenticate.

These methods require you to be logged in and to authenticate locally. They are intended for legitimate access only.

9 — I forgot my Microsoft account password — how to recover

If your Windows sign-in uses a Microsoft account (email address), follow these steps:

From any device with internet access, open a browser and go to the Microsoft account password reset page (account.microsoft.com or account.live.com/password/reset).
Follow the prompts: enter your email, verify with a code (sent to your recovery email/phone), and reset your password.
After resetting, sign back into Windows with your new password. You may need to reconnect to email and OneDrive.

This is the safest and official method for Microsoft accounts.

10 — I forgot my local account password — legitimate reset options

If you use a local account (not tied to Microsoft) and forgot the password, options depend on whether you prepared recovery tools previously.

Option A: Password reset disk (if you created one)

At the login screen, insert your password reset disk (USB).
Choose Reset password and follow the wizard to set a new password.

Option B: Another administrator account on the PC

If another admin account exists, log into it.
Open Settings → Accounts → Family & other users, or use Control Panel → User Accounts to change the password for the locked account.

Option C: Reinstall or reset Windows (last resort)

If you have no admin account and no reset disk, your options narrow: you may need to reset Windows (which can remove files unless you choose keep personal files) or reinstall Windows. Back up any recoverable data first (if possible).

Don’t use or ask for instructions that bypass security controls on PCs you don’t own.

11 — Using another administrator account to change a password (step-by-step)

If an admin account is available, here’s how to change a local account password:

Sign into Windows with the administrator account.
Press Win + X → choose Computer Management (or open Control Panel → User Accounts).
Go to Local Users and Groups → Users.
Right-click the target account → Set Password… and follow prompts.

This method is valid when you have permission to manage the computer.

12 — When you don’t have any recovery option — what to do

If you can’t recover using Microsoft, a reset disk, or an admin account:

Try to backup important files using a bootable Linux USB (if you know how and are authorized) before resetting Windows.
Use Windows Reset (Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC). Choose whether to keep files (if possible) or remove everything.
Contact the device vendor or IT admin for professional support.

Avoid sketchy “hacks” that promise to unlock accounts — they often damage data or break the law.

13 — Security & privacy best practices (prevent future lockouts)

Link your Windows sign-in to a Microsoft account for easy online recovery.
Create a password reset disk for local accounts.
Set up two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Microsoft account.
Keep a secondary recovery email/phone number up to date.
Use a password manager to store complex passwords safely.
Don’t write passwords on sticky notes attached to the device.

14 — What not to do — risky hacks and illegal shortcuts

Do not follow or use instructions that:

Replace system files to spawn a command prompt at the login screen (common “exploit” tutorials).
Use unknown third-party cracking tools to remove passwords.
Attempt to access or reset accounts on machines you do not own or are not authorized to manage.

These actions can breach laws, violate privacy, and corrupt your system or data.

15 — Conclusion: safe steps to find or recover account access

To recap: finding your username is straightforward (Settings, sign-in screen, whoami, C:\Users). Recovering a password depends on account type:

For Microsoft accounts — use official online password reset.
For local accounts — use a reset disk or another admin account.
If none exist — back up what you can and consider resetting Windows or contacting support.

Always choose methods that protect your data and comply with legal and ethical rules.

❓ FAQs — quick answers

1. How do I find my computer username in Windows 11 if I can’t sign in?

Look at the sign-in screen for the account display name. If you can boot to Safe Mode or use a recovery environment, you may still see account names, but don’t attempt to bypass the password.

2. Can I view my Windows password anywhere in plain text?

No. Windows stores passwords securely (hashed/encrypted). You cannot retrieve the original password from the system.

3. How do I reset a Microsoft account password?

Go to Microsoft’s password reset page on another device, verify using your recovery email/phone, and follow the prompts to set a new password.

4. What if I don’t have a password reset disk or another admin account?

Your main options are to back up accessible data and perform a Windows reset/reinstall, or contact the device manufacturer or an IT professional for help.

5. Is using a password manager safer than remembering passwords?

Yes. A reputable password manager stores complex passwords securely and reduces the risk of lockouts while improving security.