To change your Microsoft name, you'll update your profile in your Microsoft account settings. This name appears on your Windows PC, in Microsoft Office apps, and other Microsoft services.
Your Microsoft name is tied to your Microsoft account, which syncs across devices. Changing it updates your display name in Windows, Office, and other Microsoft services. The process differs slightly depending on work/school account.
Open your Microsoft account settings in a browser. Go through to your profile, click "Edit name," and enter your new first and last name. Confirm the change. This updates your display name across Microsoft services.
If you're signed in to Windows with this account, restart your PC to see the changes. Note that some work/school accounts require admin approval for name changes.
Many users confuse their Microsoft account name with their PC name. These are separate settings. Your PC name appears in network settings and file-sharing dialogues, while your Microsoft account name appears in apps and services.
To change your PC name, go to Settings > System > About > Rename this PC. This doesn't affect your Microsoft account name but ensures consistency across your devices.
I recently helped a friend update their Microsoft account name. They wanted to reflect their married name across all Microsoft services. We opened their Microsoft account in a browser, navigated to the profile section, and edited their first and last name. After confirming, the change appeared in Windows, Office, and the Microsoft Store within minutes.
For extra clarity, we also renamed their PC to match their new last name. This required going to Settings > System > About and selecting "Rename this PC." The process was quick and ensured their device name matched their updated Microsoft account name.
Keeping your Microsoft name up to date ensures consistency across all Microsoft services. Whether you've changed your legal name, prefer a different display name, or want to standardize your professional identity, updating your Microsoft account name is straightforward.
For work/school accounts, check with your IT department, as they may have policies around name changes. Personal accounts allow immediate updates, making it easy to maintain accurate profiles.