Rename the Guest Account in Windows 7

Like all other versions of Windows, Windows 7 also has a guest account for anonymous logins. The default username for the guest account is Guest. If you have enabled this guest account, then it can be targeted for hacking attempts into your computer. For security concerns, it is advised that you rename this guest account to something else. Here is how you can rename the guest account in Windows 7 :

  1. Press the key combination Windows logo key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog.
  2. In the Run dialog, type gpedit.msc and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.

    Run Group Policy Editor in Windows 7

  3. In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to Computer Configuration → Windows Settings → Security Settings → Local Policies → Security Options.
  4. In the right side pane, you would find an entry named Accounts: Rename guest account.

    Rename Guest Account in Windows 7

  5. Double-click on this entry and type the new name for the guest account as shown. I have typed the new name for the guest account to be Krista.

    Type new name for Guest Account in Windows 7

  6. Click OK to save the setting. You do not have to restart the computer, the changes will take effect immediately.