How to change your username in Windows 11

There are two ways you can change your username in Windows 11, depending on the account type. SOPA Images/Getty Images

• You can change your username in Windows 11 for any accounts you have.
• For local accounts, open the Control Panel and change the account name in User Accounts.
• If you have a Microsoft account, open Settings and go to Accounts; find your account and use the Manage button to open the account webpage.  

Windows 11 (along with older versions of Windows, like Windows 10) makes it easy to change the username associated with any accounts you use in Windows. You can do this whether you are using a local account or logging in with a Microsoft account, though the steps will vary.

How to change the username for a local account in Windows 11

1. Start the Control Panel. To do this, click the Start button and then type "Control Panel." Click Control Panel when you see it in the search results.  

2. Click User Accounts. 

3. Click Change account type. 

Choose to change account type in the Control Panel's User Accounts section. Dave Johnson

4. In the Choose the user you would like to change section, click the account that has the username you want to change.

There may be several accounts associated with your copy of Windows, so select the one you want to change. Dave Johnson

5. Click Change the account name. 

6. Enter the new name and then click Change Name. 

You can change your account name with just a few clicks within the Control Panel. Dave Johnson

Quick tip: If you don't see the option to change the username, you've probably selected a Microsoft account, which you need to change online. See the next section for how to do that. 

How to change your username for a Microsoft account in Windows 11

1. Click the Start button and then click Settings. 

2. In the navigation pane on the left, click Accounts. 

3. Click Email & accounts.

Find the Email & accounts section within Settings to change your username. Dave Johnson

4. In the Accounts used by other apps section, click your Microsoft account and then click Manage. 

Choose Manage to launch your Microsoft account page in a web browser. Dave Johnson

5. Your Microsoft account page should open in a web browser. At the top of the page, click Your info.

6. In the top section, click Edit name. 

7. Make any changes to your name and then click Save. 

You can edit the account name of your Microsoft account from the Microsoft website. Dave Johnson