User Account Name - Change in Windows 8

How to Change an User Account Name in Windows 8 and 8.1


information   Information
A user account's name is the name that displays on the Welcome (sign in/log on) and Start screens in Windows 8.

This tutorial will help show you how to change the user name of a local account and Microsoft account in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.

Note   Note
Changing the name of a user account only changes the name that is displayed on the Welcome (sign in/log on) and Start screens for that user account, and no where else. The only true way to fully rename a user account is to create a new account with the name wanted instead, and delete the old account.

Changing the name of a user account does not change the name of the user account's C:\Users\(user-name) folder.

User names can't contain the following characters: / \ [ ] " : ; | < > + = , ? * % @

warning.jpg





OPTION ONE

To Change Display Name of Your "Microsoft Account" in PC Settings


NOTE: This option is if you have either a "standard" or "administrator" Microsoft account.
1. Do either step 2, 3, or 4 below for what you would like to do.​
2. To Go Directly to Your Microsoft Account Settings Online from any Computer
A) Click/tap on the link below to sign in to your Microsoft "Account summary" page, and go to step 4 below.​


3. Use "PC Settings" while Signed in to Your Microsoft Account in Windows 8.1
A) Open PC settings, click/tap on Accounts on the left side. (see screenshot below)​
8.1_Accounts_PC-settings-1.jpg
B) Click/tap on Your account on the left side, click/tap on the More account settings online link at the top of the right side, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)​
8.1_Accounts_PC-settings-2.jpg

4. To Use "PC Settings" while Signed in to Your Microsoft Account in Windows 8
A) Open PC settings, click/tap on Users on the left side, click/tap on the More account settings online link at the top of the right side, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)​
Rename_Microsoft_Account-1.jpg

5. If this PC or device is not a trusted device, then you will be prompted to enter and submit a security code sent to your phone or alternate email address. (see screenshots below)​
Code-1.jpg
email-code.jpg

6. In Internet Explorer, or default web browser, click/tap on the Edit display name link under Account summary. (see screenshot below)​
Rename_Microsoft_Account-2.jpg

7. Type in a first name and last name that you want to display as your Microsoft account name, and click/tap on the Save button. (see screenshot below)​
MS-Name-2.jpg

8. When finished, close the web browser.​
9. Switch to a local account using the user name it gives you.​
10. Switch to a Microsoft account using the same email address that you just changed the name for in step 3 or 4 above.​






OPTION TWO

To Change User Name of Any "Local Account" in Control Panel


NOTE: You must be signed in to an administrator (local or Microsoft) account to be able to do this option. A standard local account will not be able to change their own user name.
1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the User Accounts icon.​
2. Do either step 3 or 4 below for what you would like to do.​
3. To Change Your Local User Account Name
A) Click/tap on the Change your account name link. (see screenshot below)​
Same-1.jpg
B) If prompted by UAC, click/tap on Yes, and go to step 5 below.​
4. To Change the User Name of Another Local Account
A) Click/tap on the Manage another account link. (see screenshot below)​
Other-1.jpg
B) If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.​
C) Click/tap on the "local account" that you want to change the name of. (see screenshot below)​
Other-2.jpg
D) Click/tap on the Change the account name link, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)​
Other-3.jpg
5. Type in the new user name you want, and click/tap on Change Name. (see screenshot below)​
Other-4.jpg
6. You will now notice the name changed. (see screenshot below)​
Other-5.jpg
7. When finished, you can close the User Accounts window if you like.​




OPTION THREE

To Change User Name of an Account in Local Users and Groups


NOTE: You must be signed in to an administrator (local or Microsoft) account to be able to do this option. Local Users and Groups will only be available in the Pro and Enterpise editions of Windows.
2. In the left pane, click/tap on Users. (see screenshot below)​
lusrmgr_Change_User_Name-1.jpg

3. In the right pane, double click/tap on the name of the user account (ex: Russell) that you want to change the display name of. (see screenshot above)​
4. In the General tab, type in the user name/display name (ex: Russell Brink) you want instead for the user account (ex: Russell) in the Full name field, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​
lusrmgr_Change_User_Name-2.jpg

5. When finished, you can close Local Users and Groups if you like.​






OPTION FOUR

To Change User Name of Any "Local Account" in Command Prompt


NOTE: You must be signed in to an administrator (local or Microsoft) account to be able to do this option. A standard local account will not be able to change their own user name. You can also use this option to rename the built-in "Administrator" account.
2. In the elevated command prompt, type the command below, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)​
wmic useraccount where name="current user name" rename "new user name"
Note   Note
You will need to substitute current user name in the command above with the actual current name of the user account you want to rename.

Note   Note

You will need to substitute new user name in the command above with the actual new name that you want to rename the user account with.​


3. When finished, you can close the elevated command prompt if you like.​
Change_user_acount_name_command.jpg





That's it,
Shawn


 

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Last edited by a moderator:
If your current account is a Microsoft account, then your personal settings will automatically sync to the new Microsoft account with the same email address by default. You'll have to copy over any files you wanted from the old account to the new account though.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 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
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware 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
No, my current account is just local account not Microsoft account. Both the old and new one are local account.

Copy over how? Copy all sub folder in my old account folder to the new account folder? And how about the settings? Even the start button doesn't show up in the new account :(

I like all current settings and preferences in my old account
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 SL
Nope. For local accounts, you have to manually set all of your personal settings and such again.

I meant to copy and paste only the files you wanted from your user folders (ex: Documents, Music, Pictures, etc...).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 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
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware 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
Hello Christianus,

A network log in dialog should use the new name.

The command prompt uses the name of the account's C:\Users\(user-name) user profile folder name.

The best way to change a user profile folder name would be to create a new account with the name you wanted instead. :(

Change Name / Organisation how do that:
1.Open Windows Registry (C:\Windows\regedit) -> rightclick: " run as administrator"
2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
3. RegisteredOwner -> Change Name -> Enter

Now you have changed
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 Win 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Hello Christianus,

A network log in dialog should use the new name.

The command prompt uses the name of the account's C:\Users\(user-name) user profile folder name.

The best way to change a user profile folder name would be to create a new account with the name you wanted instead. :(

Change Name / Organisation how do that:
1.Open Windows Registry (C:\Windows\regedit) -> rightclick: " run as administrator"
2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
3. RegisteredOwner -> Change Name -> Enter

Now you have changed
hi
but are you sure it's safe with a local account?
thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Winodws 8.1 Pro 64
Hello Christianus,

A network log in dialog should use the new name.

The command prompt uses the name of the account's C:\Users\(user-name) user profile folder name.

The best way to change a user profile folder name would be to create a new account with the name you wanted instead. :(

Change Name / Organisation how do that:
1.Open Windows Registry (C:\Windows\regedit) -> rightclick: " run as administrator"
2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
3. RegisteredOwner -> Change Name -> Enter

Now you have changed

Hello W8 fan,

Sorry, but what you posted only changes the registered owner of the computer. It does not change the name of the user account.

Registered Owner and Organization
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 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
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware 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
I format my laptop and again I have windows 8 but the name I type in the begging didn't show up but only my e-mail and now the password to enter my laptop is the password of my e-mail. If I change it, the password will change and in the laptop?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 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
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware 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
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