This tutorial will show you how to change the name of a local account or Microsoft account in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Having different accounts on a shared PC lets multiple people use the same device, all while giving everyone their own sign-in info, plus access to their own files, browser favorites, and desktop settings.
You can add a local user account (an offline account) or Microsoft account for a user to sign in to the PC with.
The user name of an account is used to identify the account in Windows.
The full name of an account is the display name used in Windows. The account's display name will show on locations like the Sign-in screen, Start Menu, and Settings.
When you create a Microsoft account, you specify a changeable full name as part of the process that is used as the display name.
If a local account doesn't have a full name specified, then its user name is used as the display name instead by default.
Reference:
How to change your user account name - Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com
You must be signed in as an administrator to change the user name of an account.
Changing the name of an account will not change the name of its profile folder (ex: "C:\Users\Brink2") used in paths.
User names can't contain the following characters: / \ [ ] " : ; | < > + = , ? * % @
- Option One: Change Name of Microsoft Account Online at Microsoft
- Option Two: Change Name of Local Account or Microsoft Account in Settings
- Option Three: Change Name of Local Account in Control Panel
- Option Four: Change Name of Local Account in netplwiz
- Option Five: Change Name of Local Account in Command Prompt
- Option Six: Change Name of Local Account in PowerShell
- Option Seven: Change Name of Built-in Administrator account in Local Security Policy
This option will change the name of your Microsoft account on all devices you sign in with the same Microsoft account.
1 Go to the "Your info" page on the Microsoft account website, and sign in to your Microsoft account if not already.
2 Click/tap on the Edit name link. (see screenshot below)
3 Type a new First name and Last name you want as the display name for your Microsoft account, enter the Captcha characters you see to verify, and click/tap on Save. (see screenshot below)
The First name and Last name you enter will be used as the full name of your Microsoft account shown on the lock screen and at sign in on your devices.
The Last name you enter will be used as the name of your Microsoft account on your devices.
4 While connected to the Internet, sign out and sign in to your Microsoft account on your Windows 11 PC to apply.
This option is still only gradually rolling out to some starting with Windows 11 build 26220.8062 (Beta 25H2) and build 26300.8068 (Dev 25H2).
1 Open Settings (Win+I).
2 Click/tap on Accounts on the left side, and click/tap on Other users on the right side. (see screenshot below)
3 Under Other users, click/tap on the account (ex: "Brink2") you want to change the name of to expand it open, and click/tap on Change account name. (see screenshot below)
4 Type a new account name you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
5 You can now close Settings if you like.
1 Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the User Accounts icon.
2 Click/tap on the Manage another account link. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on a local account (ex: "Brink2") you want to change the name of. (see screenshot below)
4 Click/tap on the Change the account name link. (see screenshot below)
5 Type a new account name you want, and click/tap on Change Name. (see screenshot below)
6 You can now close the Control Panel if you like.
1 Open netplwiz.
2 Check the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer box if available, select the local account (ex: "Brink2") you want to change the name of, and click/tap on the Properties button. (see screenshot below)
If you turned on For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device (aka: passwordless sign-in), you will not see the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer check box until you turn off For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device.
If your PC is currently joined to a domain, then the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer. box will not be available.
3 In the General tab, type the new User name (ex: "Brink3") you want for the local account, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
4 If you wanted to have Windows automatically sign in to an account at startup, then you will need to set this up again now.
5 When finished, click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
6 If you are currently signed in to this local account, click/tap on Yes when prompted to sign out and apply your changes. (see screenshot below)
1 Open Windows Terminal (Admin), and select Command Prompt.
2 Copy and paste the command below into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter. Make note of the current Name (ex: "Brink2") of the local account you want to change the name of. (see screenshot below)
wmic useraccount get fullname, name3 Type the command below into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
wmic useraccount where name="Current Name" rename "New Name"Substitute Current Name in the command above with the actual current name (ex: "Brink2") of the local account from step 2 above.
Substitute New Name in the command above with the actual new name (ex: "Brink3") you want for the local account.
For example: wmic useraccount where name="Brink2" rename "Brink3"
4 You can now close Windows Terminal (Admin) if you like.
For more Rename-LocalUser command options and details, see: Rename-LocalUser - Microsoft Developer Network
1 Open Windows Terminal (Admin), and select Windows PowerShell.
2 Copy and paste the
Get-LocalUser command into the elevated PowerShell, and press Enter. Make note of the current Name (ex: "Brink2") of the local account you want to change the name of. (see screenshot below)3 Type the command below into the elevated PowerShell, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
Rename-LocalUser -Name "Current Name" -NewName "New Name"Substitute Current Name in the command above with the actual current name (ex: "Brink2") of the local account from step 2 above.
Substitute New Name in the command above with the actual new name (ex: "Brink3") you want for the local account.
For example: Rename-LocalUser -Name "Brink2" -NewName "Brink3"
4 You can now close Windows Terminal (Admin) if you like.
This option is only available in the Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
1 Open Local Security Policy (secpol.msc).
2 Expand open Local Policies in the left pane, and click/tap on Security Options. (see screenshot below)
3 In the right pane of Security Options, double click/tap on Accounts: Rename administrator account. (see screenshot above)
4 Type a new name you want for the built-in Administrator account, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
5 You can now close Local Security Policy if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
