Due to one reason or another, you can change your username (account name) on your Windows computer. This way, you do not have to create a new one just for your name’s sake and keep using the existing account without losing any of its data.
Regardless if it’s a Microsoft or a local account, both can be renamed so the end-user is not confused about which account they are logging into.
Today we are going to show you multiple ways to get the job done safely, without corrupting or damaging a computer account or the data within.
Table of contents
Change Username for Local Account
If you are logged into Windows with a local account, then you have multiple ways you can change the title of the account.
Change Account Name from Control Panel
Here is how you can change your account name from the legacy Control Panel:
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Open the Windows Control Panel by typing in control in the Run Command box.
control -
Now navigate to the following:
User Accounts >> User Accounts >> Change your account name
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Type in your new account name in the given text field, and then click Change Name.
Change name from control panel
The title of your account will be immediately changed.
Change Account Name from User Accounts Applet
Another way to change your account name is through the User Accounts applet. Here is how:
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Launch the User Accounts applet by typing in netplwiz in the Run Command box.
Open User Accounts applet -
In the Users tab, click on the user account and then click Properties.
Open account properties -
In the pop-up window, change the “Full name” to the new name of the account, and then click Apply and Ok.
Assign new name to account Note: The “User name” does not need to be changed. You may change it optionally.
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You will now be asked to sign out of the account for the changes to implement. Click Yes.
Sign out -
On the lock screen after signing out, you will see that the new name has been assigned successfully.
Name changed successfully
Change Account Name from Computer Management Console
The Computer Management Console can also be used to rename a computer account. Here is how:
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Open the Computer Management Console by typing in compmgmt.msc in the Run Command box.
Open Computer Management console -
From the left pane, expand “Local Users and Groups,” and then click Users.
Open all users -
Now right-click on the user account you want to rename and then click Properties from the context menu.
Open account properties -
Now change the name of the account in the “Full name” text field and then click Apply and Ok.
Rename the account -
Restart the computer for the changes to take effect. On the lock screen, you will observe that the name has been changed.
Name changed successfully
Change Username for Microsoft Account
If you are logged in using a Microsoft account, then there is only one way to change its name. Note that this method will change the name of your Microsoft account as well.
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Navigate to the following:
Settings app >> Accounts >> Your info >> Accounts (Under Related Settings)
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You will now be redirected to the default web browser. Sign into your Microsoft account using your credentials.
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Switch to the “Your info” tab and then click Edit name.
Edit name -
In the pop-up window, edit both the first and last name that you want to set for the user account, and then click Save. If asked, fill in the CAPTCHA.
Change name -
Now restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Final Thoughts
Depending on which type of account you have, you can choose the method suited to change your existing user account’s name, rather than deleting the old one, losing its data, and then creating a new one.
Moreover, you can also convert your Microsoft account to a local account if you do not wish to change the name of the Microsoft account itself, but only the computer account, and then choose a method to rename the local account from above.
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