How do I change my avatar on my PC?

Changing your avatar on a PC is a great way to customize your online identity and represent yourself with an image or character that reflects your personality. Avatars are small profile pictures that are shown next to your username on discussion forums, messaging platforms, social media sites, and gaming services. With just a few simple steps, you can upload a unique avatar to display across many different platforms and apps on your PC.

What is an Avatar?

An avatar is a graphical representation of a user or the user’s character or persona. Avatars can take any form, but are commonly photos, drawings, or cartoon characters. Most avatars are small, square-shaped images that appear next to a user’s name when chatting, posting on forums, commenting on blogs, or playing games.

Some common places where users can set and display avatars include:

Social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, TikTok
Messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack
Discussion forums and message boards like Reddit, Quora, gaming forums

Video game platforms like Steam, Xbox Live, PlayStation Network
Virtual worlds and metaverses like Meta Horizon, VRChat

Avatars represent users across the digital space. They help identify users and personalize interactions and experiences. An avatar lets a user build their identity, reputation, and self-expression in the online world.

Why Change Your Avatar?

There are many great reasons to change up your avatar on a frequent basis:

To reflect changes in your interests, hobbies, beliefs
To show off a new art style or creative project

To match your avatar to a new virtual world or game
To reinvent yourself and try a new image
To celebrate holidays, seasons, events

To highlight social causes or special occasions

Updating your avatar helps express who you are right now. It can also provide a sense of freshness to your online interactions and experiences. With so many apps and platforms that use avatars, you have endless opportunities to change your image.

Where are Avatars Used on my PC?

There are many programs, apps, and services on your PC where you may upload and display a custom avatar, such as:

Gaming Launchers: Steam, Battle.net, Epic Games, Origin
Social Media: Twitter, Discord
Messaging: Skype, Microsoft Teams, Telegram

Forums: Reddit, Quora, gaming forums, hobby forums
Others: Zoom, GitHub, Photoshop Express

Both desktop and web-based apps often include avatar options. The avatar you set on one platform may also synchronize across other apps and sites if you use a unified account or gamertag. This allows your avatar to follow you across the web.

How to Change your Avatar on PC Platforms

Steam

Steam is a popular PC gaming platform where you can change your profile avatar:

Open the Steam client and click your username in the top right corner
Select “Edit Profile” from the dropdown menu

Click the avatar image to upload a new image from your PC
Click “Save Changes” to update your Steam avatar

Reddit allows you to upload a small avatar to display next to your username:

Go to the Reddit website and log into your account
Click on your username in the top right corner
Select “User Settings” from the dropdown menu

Scroll down to “Avatar” and click “Upload Avatar”
Choose an image file from your PC and click Upload
Click “Save” to set your new Reddit avatar

Discord

Discord’s app and website both allow changing your avatar:

In the Discord app, click the settings gear icon
Choose “Edit Avatar” from the My Account menu

Click the avatar to select a new image file
You can also drag and drop an image to set your avatar
On the web version, click your avatar then “Edit”

Click the image icon to upload your new avatar photo

Slack

Slack teams allow users to set a profile picture:

Open Slack and click your display name in the top left

Click “Change your profile photo”
Upload a new image file from your computer
You can crop the image to perfection

Click “Save changes” to set your new Slack avatar

PlayStation Network

The PlayStation Network and Sony Entertainment Network use avatars across PlayStation consoles and Sony devices:

Navigate to the “Profile” menu
Select “Avatar” and click “Edit Image”
Choose a new image from a connected USB drive

Optionally zoom and move the crop area
Save changes to update your PSN avatar

Nintendo Account

Your Nintendo Account avatar appears across Nintendo Switch, 3DS, mobile games, and the Nintendo website:

Go to accounts.nintendo.com and sign in
Click “Edit” under your current avatar
Click “Change Image” to upload a new avatar photo

Click “OK” to crop the image as your avatar
Click “Save” to update your Nintendo avatar

Zoom

Zoom allows you to set a profile picture for meetings and webinars:

Open the Zoom app and click your profile icon
Click the pencil icon to edit your profile
Click the avatar and select “Change” to pick a new picture

Zoom in and move the image crop area
Click “Save” to update your avatar photo

Skype

Skype uses your Microsoft Account avatar, which can be changed:

Open Skype and click your profile picture
Click your Microsoft Account email
Sign in to your Microsoft Account if needed

Click “Add profile picture”
Click “Upload a picture” to choose a new avatar image
Click “Save” to update your Microsoft Account avatar

Telegram messenger allows uploaded avatars and even animated emoji:

Open Telegram and tap the hamburger menu
Go to “Settings” and select “Edit Profile”

Tap the default avatar icon to change your picture
Select a photo from your device or take a new one
Use the crop tool to set your Telegram avatar

Twitter

It’s easy to upload a new Twitter avatar photo:

On Twitter, click your profile icon in the sidebar
Click “Edit profile”

Click your current avatar preview
Select “Upload photo”
Choose a high-quality avatar image from your device

Crop the image and click Apply to save

GitHub

GitHub uses Gravatar to manage profile images but you can upload an avatar:

Go to GitHub.com and click your profile picture

Click “Your profile”
Click the pencil icon to edit your profile
Click “Upload new picture”

Choose an image file from your computer
Click “Update profile” to save your new avatar

Outlook

Change your avatar in Outlook desktop or web app:

Open Outlook and click your profile icon
Click “View account”
For desktop, choose “Change account settings”

For web, click “Edit profile”
Click “Add photo”
Browse your PC and select an image

Click “Save” to set your new avatar

Tips for a Great Avatar

Follow these tips to create an effective, recognizable avatar:

Use a clear, high-quality image. Pixelated images will look blurry.

Pick an expressive image that conveys your personality.
Make sure your face and features are clearly visible.
Display your interests and hobbies with props, clothing, tools.

Animate your avatar with animated emoji apps.
Add stylish frames, masks, or filters to stand out.
Crop tightly around your head and shoulders.

Use consistent images across platforms to be recognizable.
Update your avatar regularly to stay fresh.

With a creative, well-designed avatar you can build your brand and always put your best face forward online.

Conclusion

Changing your avatar is fast and easy across most apps and platforms. Upload a photo that represents your current interests or desired online image. Refreshing your avatar frequently keeps your online identity exciting and engaging. With a little creativity, your avatar can become an iconic part of your brand and reputation across the digital world.