Accounts Change User Account Name in Windows 11


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This tutorial will show you how to change the name of a local account or Microsoft account in 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.


You must be signed in as an administrator to change the name of a local 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: / \ [ ] " : ; | < > + = , ? * % @




Contents






OPTION ONE

Change Name of Microsoft Account Online at Microsoft


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)

Change_Microsoft_account_name-1.png

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.


Change_Microsoft_account_name-2.png

4 While connected to the Internet, sign out and sign in to your Microsoft account on your Windows 11 PC to apply.





OPTION TWO

Change Name of Local Account in Control Panel


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)

Change_local_account_name_Control_Panel-1.png

3 Click/tap on a local account (ex: "Brink2") you want to change the name of. (see screenshot below)

Change_local_account_name_Control_Panel-2.png

4 Click/tap on the Change the account name link. (see screenshot below)

Change_local_account_name_Control_Panel-3.png

5 Type a new account name you want, and click/tap on Change Name. (see screenshot below)

Change_local_account_name_Control_Panel-4.png

6 You can now close the Control Panel if you like.





OPTION THREE

Change Name of Local Account in Local Users and Groups


The Local Users and Groups is only available in the Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.


1 Open Local Users and Groups (lusrmgr.msc).

2 Click/tap on Users in the left pane, and double click/tap on the current Name (ex: "Brink2") of the local account you want to change the name of. (see screenshot below)

Change_local_account_name_lusrmgr-1.png

3 In the General tab, type the new Full name (ex: "Brink3") you want for the local account, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Change_local_account_name_lusrmgr-2.png

4 You can now close the Local Users and Groups if you like.





OPTION FOUR

Change Name of Local Account in netplwiz


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.


Change_local_account_name_netplwiz-1.png

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)

Change_local_account_name_netplwiz-2.png

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)

Change_local_account_name_netplwiz-3.png

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)

Change_local_account_name_netplwiz-4.png





OPTION FIVE

Change Name of Local Account in Command Prompt


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, name

Change_local_account_name_command-1.png

3 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"


Change_local_account_name_command-2.png

4 You can now close Windows Terminal (Admin) if you like.





OPTION SIX

Change Name of Local Account in PowerShell


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)

Change_local_account_name_PowerShell-1.png

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"


Change_local_account_name_PowerShell-2.png

4 You can now close Windows Terminal (Admin) if you like.





OPTION SEVEN

Change Name of Built-in Administrator account in Local Security Policy


This option is only available in the Windows 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)

Change_built-in_Administrator_account_name_secpol-1.png

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)

Change_built-in_Administrator_account_name_secpol-2.png

5 You can now close Local Security Policy if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

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Last edited:
Changing the name of an account will not change the name of its profile folder (ex: "C:\Users\Brink2").

Hi Shawn,

the REAL problem is in the above quoted sentence !

If I change my user account according to your methods, I have still the WRONG name in my userprofile, i.e. when I open "User\MY NAME" on my PC, I still fall on the WRONG name. This is because Microsoft UNILATERALLY (and without my consent) reduces my username to only 4 letters.

Example: I give in RogerOver as my account name and in my userprofile, Microsoft cuts off part of my name and amputates it to "roge". This means during day to day work, whenever I go to my user folder, I fall on this "amputation" !

And you cannot change it. I think this is inadmissible !
How can and why does Microsoft take the liberty to do this "amputation" ?

I have tried this solution through the registry (end of the contribution):

But I have made the experience, that this is a very risky manoeuvre !

So in a nutshell: Your 7 solutions are very nice, .... but they don't solve the problem !

Regards Roger
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIN 11 / WIN 10 dual boot
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    No clue (x64 based) from 2016
    CPU
    Intel Pentium G 4400 (Skylake)
    Motherboard
    MS 7971, Bios: American Megatrend C.E0 (2018)
    Memory
    DDR4 12 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    internal (Intel HD 510)
    Hard Drives
    2x Western Digital (no SSD)
Hello @RogerOver, :-)

Yep, this tutorial is just for the account name, and not the user profile folder.

You can use the method in the tutorial below to change the user profile folder name in Windows 11. I agree, it's not always 100% without side effects though.

 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
Brink,
I installed Windows 11 Pro with a Microsoft Account. I successfully followed your excellent tutorial on overcoming the truncated user folder name but I have a few questions related to this topic.

I want to change the name Windows uses for my account by getting rid of the last name. In option 1 above, Microsoft insists I enter at least one character for the last name. Is there a way I can change that in the Registry? I tried searching the registry for my MS account's name (let's say it's Geo B) and came across it in several places but when I tried to change one that seemed promising, a warning popped up saying I couldn't change it.

Can you help me accomplish what's in Option 1 without having to enter anything for the last name? Maybe a way to do it in the registry?
Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    i9-13900K
    Motherboard
    ProArt Z790
    Memory
    64 GB
Brink,
I installed Windows 11 Pro with a Microsoft Account. I successfully followed your excellent tutorial on overcoming the truncated user folder name but I have a few questions related to this topic.

I want to change the name Windows uses for my account by getting rid of the last name. In option 1 above, Microsoft insists I enter at least one character for the last name. Is there a way I can change that in the Registry? I tried searching the registry for my MS account's name (let's say it's Geo B) and came across it in several places but when I tried to change one that seemed promising, a warning popped up saying I couldn't change it.

Can you help me accomplish what's in Option 1 without having to enter anything for the last name? Maybe a way to do it in the registry?
Thanks

Hello geobrick, and welcome. :alien:

I'm afraid not. Option 1 is the only way to actually rename your Microsoft account.
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium

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