Your PC account username is the name you use to log in to your computer, not a bank account credential

Your PC account username is the login name you type when you start your computer or wake it from sleep. It is not connected to your bank account, online banking password, or any financial institution. If you are looking for your bank username, that is a separate credential your bank issued when you opened your account or set up online banking.

On Windows computers, your PC username appears on the login screen and in the bottom-left corner of the taskbar (next to the Windows logo). On Mac computers, it shows in the top-right corner of the menu bar. If you have forgotten your PC username or cannot find it, the steps to locate it depend on whether your computer still starts up normally.

Key Takeaways

  • Your PC username is what you type to log in to your computer, and it is separate from any bank account username.
  • On Windows, your username appears on the login screen and in the bottom-left corner of the taskbar when you are logged in.
  • On Mac, your username shows in the top-right corner of the menu bar under the Apple logo.
  • If you cannot remember your PC username, you can recover it through your computer's settings or by contacting the person who set up your account.

Finding your username on a Windows computer

If you are currently logged in to your Windows computer, the fastest way to see your username is to look at the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner, and your username will appear in the top-left of the Start menu. You can also right-click the desktop, select "Properties," and look for your username in the system information.

Another method is to open the Settings app (press Windows key + I), go to "Accounts," and select "Your info." Your username will be displayed at the top of the page. If you see an email address instead of a username, that means your account is linked to a Microsoft account rather than a local account.

Finding your username on a Mac

On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older versions). Go to "General" and then "About." Your username will not appear here, but you can find it another way: click the Apple menu again, hold your cursor over your name at the top of the dropdown menu, and your short username will display.

You can also open the Terminal app (found in Applications > Utilities) and type whoami at the prompt, then press Enter. Your username will print on the next line. This method works on any Mac and is often the quickest if you are comfortable using the command line.

What to do if you cannot log in to your computer

If your computer will not start or you cannot remember your password, you cannot see your username from the login screen in the normal way. On Windows, you can still see a list of all usernames on the computer at the login screen itself — they usually appear as account tiles or in a dropdown menu. Look for the account you use and note the name displayed below the profile picture.

If you are locked out completely and do not recognize any of the usernames shown, contact the person who set up your computer (a family member, IT support at your workplace, or the computer manufacturer). They can help you regain access or confirm your username. On a Mac, restart the computer and hold Command + S to enter Single-User Mode, where you can type commands to view your username, though this requires some technical knowledge.

The difference between your PC username and your bank username

Your PC username is a local identifier for your computer only. Your bank username is a separate credential issued by your financial institution and used only for online banking. They are not connected, and knowing one does not tell you the other. If you have forgotten your bank username, you will need to contact your bank directly — they can confirm it or help you reset it through a recovery process that usually involves verifying your identity with personal information or a phone number on file.

Some people use the same word for both usernames by coincidence, but they are managed by completely different systems. Your computer does not share your PC username with your bank, and your bank does not need to know it.

Resetting a forgotten PC username

If you have completely forgotten your PC username and cannot see it on the login screen, you have a few options. On Windows, you can create a password reset disk if you set one up before you forgot your password — insert the disk and follow the prompts on the login screen. If you did not create a reset disk, you can use another administrator account on the same computer to reset your password and regain access.

If no other administrator account exists, you will need to contact Microsoft support or take your computer to a repair shop. They can help you regain access, though the process may require proof of ownership. On a Mac, you can use your Apple ID to reset your password if you linked your account to one, or you can use Recovery Mode (restart and hold Command + R) to access account recovery options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my PC username the same as my email address?

Not always. If your Windows account is linked to a Microsoft account, your email address may appear where your username normally shows. However, your actual PC username is still separate. To find your true username on a Microsoft-linked account, open Settings > Accounts > Your info and look for the "Local account info" section, or use the command prompt method (type whoami and press Enter).

Can I change my PC username?

Yes. On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and select "Rename your account." On a Mac, go to System Settings > General > About and click "Edit" next to the computer name. Note that changing your PC username does not affect your bank account or any online services — they use separate credentials.

What if I see a username I do not recognize on my login screen?

This usually means another user account exists on your computer. It could belong to a family member, a previous owner, or IT support who set up the machine. If you are the only person who should have access, contact the person who gave you the computer or a local IT professional to review the accounts and remove any you do not need.

Do I need my PC username to access my bank account online?

No. Your PC username is only for logging in to your computer. Your bank username and password are separate and are used only on your bank's website or app. You can log in to your bank account from any computer, tablet, or phone without needing to know the PC username of the device you are using.