How to Change the Name on an HP Laptop

You can change your name on an HP laptop using several methods. Here's how to do it in Windows 10.

How Do I Change My Display Name on My HP Laptop?

You have two main options for changing the display name: switching to a local account on the laptop and updating the name on the Microsoft account you use for Windows.

How to Switch to a Local Account

If you don't mind losing some of the functionality and personalization of using your Microsoft account with your HP laptop, you can change your name by switching to a local account to sign in. Here's how:

1. Click the Start menu in the lower-left corner of your desktop.

2. Click your name next to your profile picture.

3. Select Change account settings.

4. Select Sign in with a local account instead.

5. A warning will appear; press Next.

6. On the next screen, you can change your username to whatever you want it to be. Enter your password information and select Next.

7. Select Sign out and finish on the next screen. Windows will sign out your Microsoft account, and you can sign in to the new local one.

How to Change the Name of a Local Account

If you've already switched to a local account, you can change the user name from Control Panel.

1. Open Control Panel. One way is through the search bar at the bottom of your desktop; type Control Panel and select it from the results.

2. Select User Accounts.

3. Choose User Accounts on the next screen, too.

4. Select Change your account name.

5. Type a new account name into the box and click Change name.

How to Change the Name on Your Microsoft Account

To change your name on your HP laptop while still getting all the benefits of your Microsoft account, you can change your name on that service. Doing so will not only update the info on your laptop but across all of Microsoft's services.

1. Select the Start button on your desktop.

2. Select your name next to your user picture.

3. Select Change account settings.

4. Choose Manage my Microsoft account.

5. Your Microsoft account page will open in your web browser. Select Your info at the top of the screen.

6. Choose Edit name.

7. Enter a new first and last name, solve the Captcha, and then press Save.

How Do I Change the Administrator Name on My HP Laptop?

The processes above work for both administrator and regular user accounts, and you can use whichever makes the most sense for your situation. Just be sure you're signed into the administrator account when you do it.

How Do I Change the Owner Name on My HP Laptop?

Changing the owner name on an HP laptop is a more intensive action than modifying a user name. You'll usually want to make this update when you're passing along your computer to a new owner, but you might have other reasons for doing so.

Note that the owner name is not the same as the user name or even the hostname (computer name). Here's how to edit the registry to change the registered owner:

1. Open Registry Editor by searching for regedit from the Start menu or Run dialog box.

2. Change the path at the top of Registry Editor to be the following, or click through the registry keys on the left side of the program to get there manually:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
   

3. Double-click the value on the right called RegisteredOwner.

4. Change the name, and then press OK. The change is reflected immediately.

You designate an owner name when you first set up the computer, so the other way to change it is to factory reset your HP laptop.