Have you ever noticed that your Windows 10 administrator account name looks a little… impersonal? Maybe it just says “Admin”, “User”, or some random default name from when the computer was first set up.

Changing your administrator name not only makes your PC feel more personalized, but it also adds clarity — especially if multiple people use the same computer.

In this detailed, beginner-friendly tutorial, you’ll learn exactly how to change your administrator name on Windows 10, step by step. We’ll walk through seven different methods — from the easiest settings tweaks to advanced PowerShell and Command Prompt commands — so you can pick whichever works best for your setup.

Let’s get started.

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🧭 What Does the Administrator Name Mean in Windows 10?

Before jumping into the steps, let’s clear up what the “administrator name” really is.

In Windows 10, the administrator name refers to the name assigned to an account that has administrator privileges — meaning it can make system-level changes, install apps, manage other accounts, and change security settings.

Changing the administrator name:

• Updates the display name that appears on the sign-in screen and Start menu.

• Helps distinguish between multiple accounts.

• Makes your system feel more personal or professional.

• Can improve privacy when screen-sharing or presenting.

It’s important to note: Changing the name doesn’t remove admin rights or affect your files — it only updates how the account is identified by Windows.

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⚖️ Local Account vs. Microsoft Account: Know the Difference

Windows 10 allows two types of user accounts:

The steps you take depend on whether you’re using a local or Microsoft account — we’ll cover both below.

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🧰 Preparation Before Changing the Name

Before making changes, do these quick checks:

• ✅ Confirm you’re logged in as an administrator.

• 💾 Back up important files, just in case.

• ⚠️ If you’re renaming a work or school account, check with your IT admin first.

• 🚪 Have another admin account as a backup (optional but helpful).

Once you’re ready, follow the method that fits your setup.

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🪟 Method 1: Change Administrator Name via Windows Settings (Microsoft Account)

If you log in to Windows 10 using your Microsoft account, you’ll need to change the name through Microsoft’s website. The change will automatically sync to your PC.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.

2. Select Accounts → Your Info.

3. Under your name, click Manage my Microsoft account.
   (This opens your Microsoft profile in your browser.)

4. Sign in if prompted.

5. Click Your Info → Edit name.

6. Enter your new first and last name, then click Save.

7. Restart your PC to apply the new name.

💡 Tip: This name will update across all devices using the same Microsoft account — including OneDrive, Outlook, and Xbox.

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🖥️ Method 2: Change Local Administrator Name Using Control Panel

If you’re using a local account, the Control Panel is the easiest and safest place to rename it.

Steps:

1. In the Windows search bar, type Control Panel, and open it.

2. Go to User Accounts → User Accounts again.

3. Click Change your account name.

4. Type your new name in the field and click Change Name.

5. Sign out and back in — you’ll now see the updated name on your account.

✅ This method only changes the display name (what shows up on the Start menu and login screen). Your username and user folder (C:\Users…) will stay the same.

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⚙️ Method 3: Rename Administrator Account with Computer Management

This method lets you change both the display name and username of a local admin account.

Note: This tool is only available in Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + X and select Computer Management.

2. In the left pane, expand Local Users and Groups → Users.

3. Right-click the account you want to rename → click Rename.

4. Type the new name and press Enter.

5. For extra customization, double-click the user → under Full Name, type the display name you prefer.

6. Click Apply → OK, and restart your PC.

💬 This updates the system’s internal username — helpful for networked environments or IT setups.

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💼 Method 4: Change Admin Name via Netplwiz (User Accounts)

Another quick method that works on all editions of Windows 10 is using the advanced user management tool netplwiz.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R → type netplwiz → hit Enter.

2. In the User Accounts window, select the account you want to rename.

3. Click Properties.

4. Change the User name and/or Full name as desired.

5. Click OK → Apply → OK again.

6. Restart your computer to confirm the update.

✅ “User name” is your login ID.
✅ “Full name” is your display name shown on the welcome screen.

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🧾 Method 5: Rename Administrator Name Using Command Prompt

If you love working with commands, this method is fast and precise.

Steps:

1. Type cmd in the Start menu.

2. Right-click Command Prompt → select Run as administrator.

3. To view all users, type:

   net user


   and press Enter.

4. To rename an account, use this command:

   wmic useraccount where name="OldName" rename "NewName"


   Example:

   wmic useraccount where name="Admin" rename "Alex"


5. Press Enter, then restart your PC.

💡 This works perfectly for local administrator accounts and takes just seconds.

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💪 Method 6: Change Administrator Name via PowerShell

PowerShell is a modern alternative to Command Prompt — especially useful for IT professionals or power users.

Steps:

1. In the Start menu, search for PowerShell, then right-click and choose Run as administrator.

2. View all local users:

   Get-LocalUser


3. Rename your account:

   Rename-LocalUser -Name "OldName" -NewName "NewName"


4. (Optional) To also change the display name:

   $user = Get-LocalUser -Name "NewName"
$user.FullName = "New Display Name"
$user | Set-LocalUser


5. Restart your system to apply the change.

⚡ PowerShell is the best method if you want to rename multiple accounts on different PCs automatically.

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🔐 Method 7: Rename the Built-in Administrator Account (Hidden Admin)

Windows 10 includes a hidden built-in Administrator account that’s disabled by default. Renaming it can improve security because hackers often target the “Administrator” account name.

Method 7A: Using Local Security Policy (Pro Editions)

1. Press Windows + R, type secpol.msc, and press Enter.

2. Navigate to:
   Local Policies → Security Options.

3. Find Accounts: Rename administrator account in the right pane.

4. Double-click it, type a new name, and press OK.

5. Restart your computer.

Method 7B: Using Command Prompt

If you don’t have Local Security Policy (like in Home edition):

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).

2. Type the following command:

   wmic useraccount where name='Administrator' rename 'NewAdminName'


3. Press Enter, and you’re done.

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🚫 Optional: Change the User Folder Name (Advanced Users Only)

Changing the folder name in C:\Users is risky and not recommended for beginners. Windows links many settings to that folder name, and renaming it incorrectly can cause problems.

If you really must rename it, here’s the safe way:

1. Create a new temporary admin account.

2. Sign in to that temporary account.

3. Go to C:\Users, and rename the old folder (e.g., OldName → NewName).

4. Open the Registry Editor (regedit) and navigate to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList


5. Find the profile referencing your old username and edit the ProfileImagePath value to match the new folder name.

6. Restart and sign in with your renamed account.

7. Delete the temporary admin account once confirmed working.

⚠️ If you’re not comfortable editing the registry, it’s safer to create a new account and move your files manually.

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🧩 How to Verify That the Name Changed Successfully

Once you’ve renamed your administrator account, check if the change applied correctly:

• Press Windows + R, type netplwiz, and confirm the new name.

• Open Control Panel → User Accounts to view your display name.

• Check the Start menu or Sign-in screen for the updated name.

• In Command Prompt, type:

  net user


  and confirm your new username is listed.

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🧠 Troubleshooting: When the Name Doesn’t Change

Sometimes, the name might not update immediately. Here’s what to do:

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🔧 Bonus: Why Renaming the Admin Account Can Improve Security

While it’s mostly cosmetic, changing the name of the default administrator account can help protect your system from brute-force attacks. Many malicious scripts try to target the default Administrator username. Renaming it adds a small but useful extra layer of security.

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🧭 Which Method Should You Use?

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💬 Expert Tips

• Always restart your PC after renaming an account to refresh the system cache.

• Avoid renaming the user folder unless absolutely necessary.

• Keep an extra admin account for emergencies.

• For business users, maintain consistent account naming conventions (like “Admin-John” or “PC-Office01”).

• You can combine this process with changing the account picture to personalize your PC further.

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📚 Conclusion: Changing Your Administrator Name Is Easier Than You Think

Now you know how to change the administrator name on Windows 10, whether your account is local or tied to a Microsoft login.

You’ve learned seven reliable methods — from simple settings tweaks to advanced command-line operations — and when to use each one safely.

In short:

• Settings or Control Panel for quick changes.

• Computer Management, Command Prompt, or PowerShell for deeper control.

• Security Policy if you want to secure the built-in admin account.

Once you’ve made the change, enjoy seeing your PC display a name that’s truly yours.

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🗝️ Key Takeaways

• You can rename administrator accounts using Settings, Control Panel, Netplwiz, Command Prompt, or PowerShell.

• Microsoft accounts must be renamed online.

• Local accounts can be renamed directly within Windows.

• Avoid changing the user folder name unless you’re an advanced user.

• Always restart after changes to ensure updates appear system-wide.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Will changing my administrator name delete files?

No. It only changes your account’s display or login name. Your files, apps, and settings remain untouched.

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2. Can I rename my Microsoft account from my PC?

Not directly. You’ll need to go to the Microsoft Account website and change your profile name there.

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3. Is it safe to rename the built-in Administrator account?

Yes, it’s actually more secure. Renaming the default “Administrator” name makes it harder for attackers to guess login credentials.

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4. Why does my old name still appear in C:\Users?

That’s your profile folder name — it doesn’t change automatically. You’d need to manually rename it (advanced) or create a new account.

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5. What’s the easiest method for beginners?

The Control Panel method is the simplest and safest for local accounts. If you use a Microsoft account, do it through Settings → Manage Microsoft Account.

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✅ Final Tip: Keep your admin account organized, secured with a strong password, and uniquely named to make your Windows 10 experience safer and more personal.