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You're probably using Windows 11 with either a local account or a Microsoft account. 

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Either way, maybe you want to change the username associated with your account. 

No problem. 

The process is easier and quicker with a local account but doable with a Microsoft account. 

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Let's see how this plays out.

How to change your username in Windows 11

1. Open Control Panel

Assuming you're using a local account in Windows 11, open Control Panel in icon view and select the applet for User Accountsto change your local account username. 

Go to User Accounts in Control Panel.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/

2. Click "Change your account name"

At the next screen, make sure your account pops up and then click the link for Change your account name.

Click the link for Change your account name.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/

3. Type in your new name

Type the new name you wish to give your account and then click the Change Name button.

Click the Change Name button.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/

4. Check for your new name on the sign-in screen

The next time you see the Windows 11 sign-in screen, your new account name will appear.

Your new account name appears on the sign-in screen.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/

Change your Microsoft account name

With a Microsoft account, you can change your first or last name. You don't do this directly in Windows 11, but you can follow the breadcrumbs to get to your Microsoft account website to make these changes.

Also: How to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10

In Windows 11, go toSettings > Accounts > Your Info. Under Related settings, click the option forManage my accounts.

Click the option for "Manage my accounts."

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Alternatively, go directly to your Microsoft account page. Sign in with your account if prompted. At the site, click the tab forYour info. Next to your full name, click the link forEdit name.

Click the link for "Edit name."

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/

Type the name you want to use for your account. Enter the displayed CAPTCHA characters and then clickSave. Your new name then appears on the page.

Type the name you want to use for your account.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/

Reboot your computer and you should see your new name at the sign-in screen.

Your new name appears at the sign-in screen.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/

Change your Microsoft account email address

If you change your Microsoft account name, you may also need to change your Microsoft account email address. With this process, you add a new address to use as your alias. Return to your Microsoft account page and click the tab forYour info. 

Also: How to create and manage Windows accounts for your family

In the Account info section, click the link forSign-in preferences.

Click the link for Sign-in preferences.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/

At the next screen, click the link forAdd email. Assuming you don't have an existing email address that you want to use for this account, select the option forCreate a new email address and add it as an aliasand then type the name you wish to use. By default, the new address will use the domain name of Outlook. Click the button forAdd alias.

Type the name you wish to use.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/

If the address is already taken, you'll receive a notice telling you so. Choose a different name and then try again. Once you submit an address that's not taken, the next screen shows your existing address and the new alias one. To switch to the new one, click the link next to it forMake primary. Confirm that you wish to make it the primary address.

Make the new email address the primary alias.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/

Finally, you can then remove the old address if you no longer want to use it as an alias. 

Also: How to manage your Microsoft 365 subscription in Windows 11

Click the Remove link next to the old address and then confirm that you wish to remove it from your account.

Remove the old address.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/

Windows 10

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