Bought a new HP laptop with Windows 11 and noticed the administrator account name isn’t quite right? Maybe it shows your email address, your nickname, or even a random string of characters you don’t want. Don’t worry—you can change it easily.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to change the administrator name on an HP laptop running Windows 11, step by step. We’ll explore multiple methods so you can pick the one that works best for you.
Why Change the Administrator Name on Windows 11?
There are plenty of reasons you might want to update your administrator name:
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✏️ To correct spelling mistakes from setup.
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To make your laptop look professional for work.
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To separate personal and family accounts.
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For security reasons, since unique usernames make it harder for hackers.
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Just for personalization—it’s your laptop, after all.
Think of it like changing the name on your front door. The house (your laptop) stays the same, but the name tells everyone who it belongs to.
Method 1: Change Administrator Name via Settings
This is the simplest way if your account is linked to a Microsoft account.
Steps:
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Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
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Go to Accounts > Your info.
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Under your profile, click Manage my Microsoft account.
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A browser window will open. Sign in with your Microsoft account.
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Select Your info > Edit name.
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Enter your new First and Last name, then save changes.
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Restart your HP laptop, and your new administrator name will appear.
Note: This changes your Microsoft account name, which will sync across all devices using the same account.
Method 2: Change Administrator Name Using Control Panel
Prefer the old-school way? Control Panel still works.
Steps:
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Press Windows key + R, type
control, and press Enter. -
Go to User Accounts > User Accounts (again).
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Click Change your account name.
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Type your new administrator name.
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Hit Change Name and restart your laptop.
This method works best if you’re using a local account instead of a Microsoft account.
Method 3: Change Administrator Name in Computer Management
For more advanced users, Computer Management offers another way.
Steps:
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Right-click the Start menu and select Computer Management.
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Expand Local Users and Groups > Users.
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Right-click your administrator account and choose Rename.
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Enter the new name and press Enter.
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Restart your laptop to apply the changes.
Method 4: Change Administrator Name via Netplwiz
Another hidden gem is the netplwiz tool.
Steps:
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Press Windows key + R, type
netplwiz, and hit Enter. -
In the User Accounts window, select your administrator account.
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Click Properties.
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Under the General tab, change the User name and Full name.
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Click Apply > OK, then restart your laptop.
Method 5: Change Administrator Name via Command Prompt
If you love using commands, this one’s for you.
Steps:
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Press Windows key + S, type cmd, then right-click Command Prompt → Run as administrator.
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Type this command:
Replace CurrentName with your existing administrator name and NewName with what you want.
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Press Enter.
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Restart your HP laptop.
Method 6: Change Administrator Name via PowerShell
PowerShell gives you another option.
Steps:
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Right-click the Start menu and select Windows Terminal (Admin).
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Type this command:
Replace CurrentName and NewName with the appropriate names.
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Press Enter and restart your system.
Method 7: Change Account Display Name Only
If you don’t want to mess with usernames but just want to change how your name appears, you can tweak the display name.
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Open Settings > Accounts > Your info.
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Edit your display name (for Microsoft accounts, it will sync online).
Common Issues and Fixes
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❌ Name doesn’t update after restart → Try changing it using a different method (like Control Panel or Command Prompt).
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Microsoft account keeps overriding changes → Make sure you’re editing your Microsoft profile online.
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⚠️ Error: Access denied → Ensure you’re logged in as an administrator.
Tips for Choosing a Good Administrator Name
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Keep it professional if the laptop is for work.
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Avoid using personal details like your full birthday.
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Stick with something easy to remember but unique.
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If you share your HP laptop, consider naming accounts per user.
Conclusion
Changing the administrator name on your HP laptop running Windows 11 is easier than you might think. Whether you use Settings, Control Panel, Computer Management, netplwiz, Command Prompt, or PowerShell, you have multiple ways to make your account truly yours.
It’s a small tweak, but it can make your laptop feel more personalized and secure.
FAQs
1. Does changing the administrator name affect my files or apps?
No, all your files, apps, and settings remain the same—only the display name changes.
2. Can I remove the administrator account completely?
Not the main one, but you can create a new administrator account and delete the old one if needed.
3. Will changing my Microsoft account name affect other devices?
Yes, if you use the same Microsoft account on multiple devices, the change will sync across them.
4. What if I forget my new administrator name?
You can still log in with your Microsoft account email or reset the name again through another method.
5. Can I change the administrator name without restarting?
Some changes appear immediately, but a restart ensures the new name shows everywhere in Windows.