You can change the name on your Microsoft account in Settings, and it takes about two minutes

The name you see when you sign into Windows, Outlook, or OneDrive is stored in your Microsoft account profile. You can change it yourself without contacting support, and the change shows up across all Microsoft services you use. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're on a computer or phone, but both routes go through your account settings online.

This is different from changing your Windows username (the folder name on your computer) or your email address. Those are separate processes. This guide covers only the display name — the name that appears in your profile and in emails you send.

Key Takeaways

  • Sign into your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com, go to Your Info, and select Edit Name to change the display name that appears across Microsoft services.
  • The change takes effect immediately in Outlook, OneDrive, and other Microsoft apps, though it may take a few minutes to show everywhere.
  • Changing your account name does not change your email address, your Windows username, or your password.
  • If you share a computer with others, each person's account name changes only for that person's profile — other users are not affected.

How to change your name on a computer or phone

Go to account.microsoft.com in any web browser and sign in with your Microsoft account email and password. Once you're signed in, look for the section labeled Your Info on the left side of the page. Click or tap it.

On the Your Info page, you'll see your current name displayed. Look for a button or link that says Edit Name or Edit next to your name. Click it. You'll see two fields: one for your first name and one for your last name. Type in the name you want to use, then click Save. That's it — the change is live.

If you're on a phone, the layout is the same but the buttons may be smaller. Tap the three-line menu icon at the top left if you don't see Your Info right away.

What changes and what doesn't

Your new name will appear in Outlook when you send emails, in your OneDrive profile, in Microsoft Teams, and anywhere else you use your Microsoft account. People who receive emails from you will see the new name in the From field. If you use Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) for work, your name change may take a few hours to show up in shared documents.

Your email address stays the same — changing your display name does not change your email. Your password does not change. Your Windows username (the folder name on your computer that starts with C:\Users\) does not change either. If you want to change any of those, they require separate steps.

If you share a computer with multiple user accounts, each account has its own Microsoft profile. Changing the name on your account only affects your profile — other people's accounts are not touched.

If you can't find the Edit Name button

Some accounts, especially those managed by a school or employer, have restrictions that prevent you from changing your own name. If you don't see an Edit Name option, your account may be controlled by an organization. Try signing out and signing back in to refresh the page, or try a different browser.

If the button still doesn't appear, contact your school's IT department or your company's help desk. They may need to change it for you, or they may need to grant you permission to change it yourself.

Changing your name if you use a work or school account

If your Microsoft account is tied to a work email (like yourname@company.com) or a school email (like yourname@university.edu), the account may be managed by your organization. In that case, you typically cannot change your own name through account.microsoft.com.

Instead, contact your IT department or help desk and ask them to update your display name in your organization's directory. They have the tools to make that change. It may take a day or two to show up across all services.

Changing your Windows username (the folder name on your computer)

If you want to change the folder name that appears in C:\Users\ on your computer, that's a separate process from changing your Microsoft account name. On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings > Accounts > Your Info. Look for a button that says Rename Your Device or Rename Your PC. That changes the computer's name, not your username folder.

To change the actual username folder, you need to create a new local account with the name you want, transfer your files to it, and delete the old account. This is more involved and is not the same as changing your Microsoft account name. If you need to do this, search your Windows version for "rename user account" or contact your computer manufacturer's support.

Changing your email address instead of your name

If you want to change the email address you use to sign into Microsoft, that's also different from changing your display name. You can add a new email address to your account and make it your primary sign-in email, but you cannot delete the original email from the account itself.

To add a new email, go to account.microsoft.com, select Your Info, and look for Manage Your Microsoft Account. From there, you can add an alias (an alternate email address) or change which email is your primary. The original email will remain associated with the account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my name affect my files or emails?

No. Your files in OneDrive, your email history in Outlook, and everything else stays exactly where it is. Only the name that appears next to your files and in the From field of new emails will change. Old emails you sent will still show your old name because they were sent with that name.

How long does it take for the name change to show up everywhere?

The change is usually instant in Outlook and OneDrive. In Microsoft Teams and shared documents, it may take a few minutes to an hour. If you're using Microsoft 365 at work, it can take up to 24 hours to show up in all shared files.

Can I change my name back to what it was before?

Yes. Go back to account.microsoft.com, select Your Info, click Edit Name, and type your old name. There's no limit to how many times you can change it.

What if I forgot my Microsoft account password?

You'll need to reset it before you can sign into account.microsoft.com. Go to account.live.com/password/reset, enter your email address, and follow the recovery steps. Once you've reset your password, you can sign in and change your name.

Does changing my Microsoft account name change my Xbox or Skype name?

Your display name will update in Xbox and Skype if they're linked to the same Microsoft account, but it may take a few hours. Your Xbox gamertag (the name other players see) is separate and does not change automatically — you can change that in Xbox settings if you want.