How to Change the Display Name of an Account in Windows 11 One of the most common tasks IT administrators deal with is changing a user's display name. Whether you're working with a local account or a Microsoft account, Windows offers several ways to get it done. In this video, we'll cover six different methods for changing display names in Windows 11. Before we begin, be sure to subscribe to NinjaOne's IT Video Hub and our YouTube channel for more tech content like this. 6 Methods for Changing an Account Display Name in Windows 11 Method 1: Netplwiz (Local Accounts Only) This is a quick graphical method for local accounts. Press Win + R, type netplwiz, and press Enter. In the Users tab, select the account you want to rename. Click Properties. In the Full name field, type the new display name. Click OK, then sign out and back in to see the change. Method 2: Local Users and Groups (Pro, Enterprise, Education Only) This option gives you more administrative control, especially useful for managing multiple accounts. However, keep in mind that this method isn’t available on Windows 11 Home. Press Win + R, type lusrmgr.msc, and press Enter. Under Users, locate and double-click the account. In the General tab, change the Full name field to the new display name. Click OK and sign out and back in. Method 3: Command Prompt (Local Accounts Only) For IT pros who prefer something scriptable, Command Prompt works well. This is ideal for bulk renaming and scripts. Open Command Prompt as administrator. To list accounts and their display names, run... To change a name, run this command... Restart the machine to apply changes. Method 4: PowerShell (Local Accounts Only) PowerShell offers even more flexibility and is often preferred for automation. Open PowerShell as administrator. List users with Get-LocalUser Next, change a name with the following command... Sign out or restart to apply. Method 5: Microsoft Account Settings (Microsoft Accounts Only) For Microsoft accounts, the change is made online and will sync across all Microsoft services and devices. Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in. Click Your Info. Select Edit name. Enter your new first and last name, complete the CAPTCHA, and Save. Method 6: Control Panel (Local Accounts Only) A legacy but still functional option for local accounts. Open Control Panel, then go to User Accounts > User Accounts. Select Change your account name. Enter the new name and click Change Name. Restart to apply. Changing a user's display name in Windows 11 is straightforward, but the right method depends on your situation. As always, test changes in a controlled environment before broad rollout— especially in enterprise setups. For more information, check out our official blog post on how to change the display name of an account in Windows 11, linked in the description below.