There are several reasons you might want to change your name on a Windows PC. Whether you have just bought a second-hand computer, want to personalise your user profile or need your correct name shown for work purposes, it is a straightforward task. Windows allows you to change the account name that appears on the sign-in screen, as well as the name of your user folder in some cases.
This article explains how to change the name on your PC depending on the version of Windows you are using and the type of account you have.
Understanding the Different Name Types
There are two main types of names on a Windows PC. The user account name is what you see when logging in or switching users. The user folder name is the name given to your user’s folder on the system drive, usually found under C:\Users.
Changing the user account name is simple and supported by Windows tools. Changing the user folder name is more complicated and may require creating a new user or editing system files. This article focuses on changing the display name which is what most users want to update.
Changing Your Name for a Local Account
If you are using a local account rather than a Microsoft account, you can change your name using the Control Panel. Press the Windows key and type Control Panel then open it. Click on User Accounts then again on User Accounts in the next window. Choose Change your account name and enter your preferred name.
After restarting or signing out, your new name should appear on the welcome screen. This method does not affect your user folder name or any files saved in your account.
Changing Your Name for a Microsoft Account
If your PC is linked to a Microsoft account, your user name is taken from your online profile. To change it, you will need to log into your Microsoft account via a web browser.
Go to the Microsoft account website and sign in. Select Your info at the top of the page then click Edit name. Enter your new first and last name and save the changes. It may take a few minutes for the new name to sync with your PC. You might need to sign out and sign back in for the change to take effect.
This update will change your name across all Microsoft services including Outlook, OneDrive and Teams.
Renaming the Computer Name
If you want to change the name of your PC as seen by other devices on the network, you can do so in the Windows settings. Press the Windows key + I to open Settings then go to System and scroll down to About. Click Rename this PC and type in the new name.
After confirming the change, Windows will ask you to restart your PC. Once restarted, your new device name will appear on your network.
What You Cannot Change Easily
While you can change the display name and computer name without issues, the actual name of your user folder is much harder to modify. Windows does not support changing this directly through settings. Attempting to do so can cause problems with file paths or system behaviour.
If having a new folder name is essential, the safest way is to create a new user account with the desired name then move your files over manually. This avoids registry editing or potential damage to your user profile.
Final Thoughts
Changing your name on a PC is a simple way to personalise your device or reflect a new identity. Whether you are using a local or Microsoft account, the process is quick and mostly risk-free. Just be aware of the differences between account name, folder name and computer name so you can make the right changes safely.