Trying to change your account name on Windows 11? Fair dinkum, it’s not always as simple as clicking a button, especially if you’re using a Microsoft account. You might think you just go into Settings and swap the name — but if your account’s linked to Microsoft, it’s a bit more involved. Sometimes, the change only shows up after a restart or a quick online update, which can be a bit confusing. But no worries, mate — if you want to freshen up your Windows profile or fix a typo, there are a few ways to do it. Here’s the rundown without pulling your hair out.
In some setups, changing the name locally in Settings does the trick. But other times, you’ll need to do it online through your Microsoft account to get it to show everywhere. Just a heads up — if you’re swapping names on a shared machine, it can get a bit tricky depending on your account type. But overall, it’s doable. Here’s what to try first, plus some backup options if the first method doesn’t work.
How to Change Your Windows 11 Account Name — Step by Step
Update your account name via Settings
This is usually the easiest way, especially if you’re using a local account. Hit the Start menu, click the gear icon or press Win + I to open Settings. Then go to Accounts > Your Info. If you see an option to Edit Name, great — just type in your new name. It’s straightforward, but keep in mind — this will only change the name on that device, not your Microsoft account broadcasted online.
On some Windows installs, clicking “Edit Name” might open a dialog box or redirect you to the Microsoft profile page. If it doesn’t work or you don’t see the option, no stress — you’ll need to update your Microsoft account online instead.
Change your Microsoft Account name online
If your account is linked to Microsoft and the name isn’t changing locally, head over to Microsoft Account Profile in your web browser. Sign in, then find the Your Info section. Click Edit Name (or similar), and punch in the new name. Give it a little time — it might take a few minutes, even hours, for the change to show up on your device.
From what I’ve seen, sometimes it doesn’t work on the first try, but after a reboot or a couple of hours, it sorts itself out. The main thing — be patient, your PC needs to sync with Microsoft’s servers.
Use Local Users and Groups (for Pro or Enterprise editions)
If you’re a bit tech-savvy and the above options aren’t cutting it, you can also change the account name via Computer Management. Right-click the Start button, choose Computer Management, then go to Local Users and Groups > Users. Find your user account, right-click, select Rename, and type in the new name. Fair dinkum — this method doesn’t usually cause issues, but it only works for local accounts, not Microsoft-linked ones.
Heads up: you might need admin rights to do this, and changing the name here doesn’t change your display name in Microsoft’s online profile or on the login screen if you’re using a Microsoft account.
Keep these things in mind
- Changing the display name locally won’t affect the name you see when you log in with your Microsoft email — that’s a different profile.
- If you want the name that shows on the sign-in screen before you enter your PIN or password, you’ll usually need to change it online with Microsoft.
- Don’t forget to restart your PC after making changes — some updates only show up after a reboot or after logging out and back in.
Troubleshooting Tips Galore
If nothing’s changing the way you want, give these a burl:
- Make sure Windows is fully up to date — sometimes, outdated software can block these tweaks. Head to Windows Update in Settings.
- Check your Microsoft account sync settings. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings and toggle the options on or off.
- If you’re on a work or school computer, some policies might stop you from changing your username. In that case, chat with your IT admin.
Honestly, sometimes it feels like Windows is making it deliberately tricky. One restart or a sign-out can fix or break things real quick. Remember, changing your account name — especially for Microsoft accounts — isn’t always instant. Patience is the key here, mate.