How to change your account picture on Windows 10

There are two ways to change your Windows 10 account pictures: You can use the Settings app or online in your Microsoft account — Here you'll see how to do it in both.

Windows 10 account picture

Accounts you create on Windows 10 get a default generic boring account picture. If you’re using a Microsoft account to sign in to Windows 10, then the account picture you have set in that account will sync automatically to your computer.

In addition, other people who have your Microsoft account contact information will also see this your account picture in their list.

If you’re using a local account on Windows 10, you’ll get a generic placeholder account picture. However, you can always change this image to anything you want, even if you want to use something different than the one in your Microsoft account to make your experience more personal.

On Windows 10, you can choose a new image stored locally on your computer or in the cloud. You can also get access directly to your device camera to snap a photo and set it as your account picture.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to quickly change your account picture if you’re using a local account or when you’re signing in with a Microsoft account on Windows 10.

How to change your Windows 10 account picture using Settings

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on Accounts.

  3. Click on Your info.

  4. Click the Camera button to use your device to take a new picture. Or you can click the Browse for one button to add a new picture you have already taken.

    Change account picture Windows 10
    Settings app Your info

Keep in mind that if you’re using a Microsoft account, your new account picture will sync across all your devices where you use the same account.

How to change your Windows 10 account picture using Microsoft account

  1. Open your Microsoft account on your web browser.

  2. Click the Edit name link from the left.

    Microsoft account dashboard
    Microsoft account dashboard
  3. Click Change picture.

    Note: You can also change your name from this page, if that’s something you also need to do.

    Change account picture using Microsoft account
    Change account picture using Microsoft account
  4. Click New picture.

  5. Browse for the new picture and click Open. (Keep in mind note that you won’t have access to the camera using this path.)

  6. Adjust size of the picture and click Save to complete the task.

    Resize new account picture
    Resize new account picture

The new account picture will now sync across your devices where you use a Microsoft account, but it might take a while for the new setting to take effect on all your devices.

Only Administrator and Standard accounts include the option to change their pictures. Those using a guest account can’t change the default generic image.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].