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Whenever you sign in to Windows 10, your full name will appear above the password entry. You can change your display name, your first and last name, so they appear differently on the sign-in screen and in the Settings app.
Whether you use a local account or a Microsoft account, it’s easy to change the display name associated with it in a few easy steps.
Change your display name for a Microsoft account
To change the display name on the sign-in screen for those with a Microsoft account, you’ll need to open your account preferences on the Microsoft website and make your changes there. Here’s how to do it.
Open the Settings app by pressing Windows Key + I and click on “Accounts”.
Under your picture and display name, click “Manage my Microsoft account” to open your account preferences page in a browser.
Once the browser opens and the page loads, click the “More actions” dropdown menu and then click “Edit profile” from the options below.
Under your name, click “Edit Name.”
In the fields provided, enter your first and last name, enter the CAPTCHA challenge, and then click “Save” to update your name.
When your Microsoft profile page loads again, this time, it will update with the name you entered on the previous screen.
When you change your Microsoft account name, it changes on all devices you sign in with this account.
In order for your new name to show up on the Windows 10 sign-in screen, you’ll need to sign out of your account. So if you have any unsaved work or apps open, save your progress before logging out.
Change your display name for a local account
A local account is a basic approach to using Windows. Local accounts do not have the additional features (sync files, settings, browser history, etc. across multiple devices) but you do not need to use an email address to use the operating system.
From the local account for which you want to change the display name, launch Control Panel. You can do this by clicking the Start button or pressing the Windows key, typing “Control Panel” in the search box on the Start menu, and then clicking the Control Panel app.
Next, click on “User Accounts”.
Click on “User Accounts” one more time.
Now, select “Change your account name” to change your display name.
Note: If an organization manages your computer or you don’t have administrator privileges, you won’t be able to change your account name.
Enter the new display name in the text field provided and then click the “Change Name” button to save the changes.
That is. You can now close the Control Panel window. The name change will not take effect until you log out of the account. So if you have any unsaved work open, be sure to save before you sign out of your account.
