This article takes you through changing a Microsoft account name and a local account name in Windows 10.

What to Know

  • Microsoft account: Go to Microsoft’s Your info web page and sign in. Click Your info > Edit name > input new name > Save.
  • Local acct: Go to Control Panel > User accounts > Change…type > select acct > Change…name > input new name > Change Name.
  • Local account alternative: Search for and select netplwiz > Users > choose account > Properties > enter new name > Apply > OK > OK.

Change Microsoft Account Name From Settings 

When you use a Microsoft account to login to Windows 10, the account name is stored by Microsoft in the cloud. You need to change it from your Microsoft profile. Any name change you make will affect any Microsoft products you use (Microsoft 365, Skype, the Xbox network, etc.) under the same account.

This name can be different from your local account’s display name. You can sign in to the Your info page on the Microsoft website or go into your account via Settings on Windows.

  • Go to Start > Settings.
  • Select Accounts.
  • Select Your info > Manage my Microsoft account.
  • Sign in to your Microsoft account. Microsoft will verify your identity with a code sent via email or the Microsoft Authenticator phone app.
  • On the Microsoft Account home page, click Your info on the top navigation bar.
  • Select the Edit name option under your name.
  • Enter the new account name you want to use. Fill both first name and last name fields.
  • Confirm the CAPTCHA challenge by typing the characters (or using the audio challenge) to verify that a human is making the changes.
  • Select the Save button.

Reboot the computer to see the name change. This can take some time as Windows may using the information in the cache. After some time, Microsoft syncs the information from the cloud to your computer. To get the name to update quickly, you can switch to your local account, then sign back into your Microsoft account. 

Go to Start > Settings.

Select Accounts.

Select Your info > Manage my Microsoft account.

Sign in to your Microsoft account. Microsoft will verify your identity with a code sent via email or the Microsoft Authenticator phone app.

On the Microsoft Account home page, click Your info on the top navigation bar.

Select the Edit name option under your name.

Enter the new account name you want to use. Fill both first name and last name fields.

Confirm the CAPTCHA challenge by typing the characters (or using the audio challenge) to verify that a human is making the changes.

Select the Save button.

Change the Local Account Name From Control Panel

You can change local account names from the classic Control Panel. Sign in to the Administrator account and go through the steps below. Then sign out and sign in to the account with the new name. You will not be able to change the display name if you do not have admin privileges on the computer.

  • Type “Control” in the Windows search bar. Choose the top result and open Control Panel.
  • Go to User Accounts > Change account type.
  • Select the local account to change its name.
  • Select Change the account name under the Make changes to [USERNAME] account list.
  • Type the new account name as you want it to appear on the Welcome and Start screens.
  • Select the Change Name button.

Change the Local Account Name From NETPLWIZ Advanced User Accounts Settings

Netplwiz is a native executable file that can help you manage user accounts in all versions of Windows. This account management tool is hidden, but you can launch it from Windows search or the Run dialog (Windows Key + R). 

Type “Control” in the Windows search bar. Choose the top result and open Control Panel.

Go to User Accounts > Change account type.

Select the local account to change its name.

Select Change the account name under the Make changes to [USERNAME] account list.

Type the new account name as you want it to appear on the Welcome and Start screens.

Select the Change Name button.

  • Type netplwiz in Windows search and select the top result to open the legacy account management tool.
  • Select the Users tab. Choose the account to change its name and select Properties.
  • Enter the new name in the User name field.
  • Optionally, you can enter your entire name in the Full name field. To display a nickname instead of your full name, leave the Full name field empty.
  • Select the Apply button.
  • Select the OK button to close the Properties dialog and select OK again to close the netplwiz settings box.

The name change will be instantly visible on the Sign-out and Sign-in screen. 

Type netplwiz in Windows search and select the top result to open the legacy account management tool.

Select the Users tab. Choose the account to change its name and select Properties.

Enter the new name in the User name field.

Optionally, you can enter your entire name in the Full name field. To display a nickname instead of your full name, leave the Full name field empty.

Select the Apply button.

Select the OK button to close the Properties dialog and select OK again to close the netplwiz settings box.

Note:

Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise users can also change the display name from the Local Users and Groups option (lusrmgr.msc) in the Computer Management console. Windows 10 Home Edition does not have Local Users and Groups, so use the above methods instead. 

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