How do I change my user directory name on the computer? Windows 10


  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
       #1

    How do I change my user directory name on the computer? Windows 10


    Hi I just bought a new computer for my mother in law. I created the first account..that is an administrator for my mother in law. Then I used her account to create another admin account for myself. This is for Windows 10. I logged in with my microsoft ID and everything looked fine. Then I started discovering things weren't working properly in the account so I contacted support for my computer.

    They thought that maybe I should create a new user account and see if that fixes the bugs. The support person created an account called "Test." Once I examined "Test" to see if everything was functional, and it was, I deleted my old/original account and logged in with my microsoft ID on the "test" account. From the main screen it shows my picture, and when I log in, my walpaper and other settings are there. It even shows my proper name in the account.

    I thought everything was ok, but then I went into the user directory from CMD and noticed that my user directory was still called test and that the account I deleted was still showing up.

    What I want to do is have my user account name in CMD associated with my microsoft id email address like it originally was.

    Now when I see file paths in my account I"m noticing that all the files point to user/test...I want it to be user/myname not user/test. Even though my account works perfectly, and all my stuff is there...I'm finding it an annoyance that the test directory is the DOS name for my account. I want it to be "myname" not test.

    I'm having trouble explaining this. If it is unclear, please let me know and I'll add more details.

    How do I rename this "test" directory from the "user "directory and all its files to be "myname"?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Rename User Account Folder in Windows 10 Preview - Microsoft Community
    Method 2

    Also read:
    User Profile Folder - Change User Account Folder Name - Windows 7 Help Forums
    User Folder Name not correct - how to change? - Windows 10 Forums
    is it possible to change user's name in windows 10 ? - Windows 10 Forums
    for example.

    Note: I've never tried this, and would view this as hazardous if you get it wrong.

    Therefore I would strongly advise you to
    a. create a disk image (everyone is strongly recommended to use disk imaging routinely here) before proceeding
    b. also enable (if not enabled) system restore and create a restore point -noting sometimes difficulty with these is experienced, hence (a) as well.

    Disk imaging:
    Creating disk images lets you restore Windows and all your disks and partitions to a previous working state, quickly and probably without technical help.

    You can recover from:
    - a failed disk drive (restore to a new one)
    - ransomware (which encrypts your disk)
    - user error
    - unrecoverable problems from failed updates to problem programs
    - unbootable PC (hardware faults aside)

    Images also act as a full backup- you can extract files too.

    You can even use images to help you move more easily and quickly to a new PC.

    Imaging can even help you sleep at night knowing you have a second chance.

    Many here recommend Macrium Reflect (free) as a good robust solution and more reliable than some others. It’s
    - more feature rich
    - more flexible
    - more reliable
    than Windows Backup and Restore system images.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #3

    planehopr said:
    How do I rename this "test" directory from the "user "directory and all its files to be "myname"?
    You really can't. Not only is your name held in dozens of undocumented places in the registry it is also held in dozens of undocumented configuration files within your profile. You can try and it will mostly work. Then a few months later you'll find some odd program failing and it will take you hours of pointless troubleshooting to figure out why (some minor file not updated and still points to C:\Users\Test). That is my experience in any case having done it.

    The only safe way is make a new account and delete the old one.

    planehopr said:
    I thought everything was ok, but then I went into the user directory from CMD and noticed that my user directory was still called test and that the account I deleted was still showing up.
    You need to repeat the steps.

    Assuming you have all your documents saved and are happy to delete your account:

    1. Delete the directory C:\Users\OldName. You can do this through file explorer but you may have to take ownership first.
    2. Make your current account a local account (i.e. unlink it from your Microsoft account).
    3. Create a new user using your name. This should be a local administrator account. The reason for this is when you make a local account the name in C:\Users is what you specify now. If you make a Microsoft account initially it will be the first 4 letters of your first name followed by the first letter of your second name (or similar).
    4. Sign on to your new account and see if it is OK.
    5. From your new account delete your current one (and also delete C:\Users\Test if it still exists).
    6. Convert your new account to Microsoft account (it will then sync all your settings back) and keep the name you specified in step 3 under C:\Users directory.

    There are tutorials here for all these steps but ask if you get stuck.

    Owner of Files and Folders - Change in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums
    Local Account - Switch to in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums
    User Account - Add in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums (option 3)
    User Account - Delete in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums
    Microsoft Account - Switch to in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thanks for the information everyone. I have been researching this issue and it looks like my best bet is to create a new user account. It sounds like what I'm asking to do is dangerous and will open a whole can of worms. The truth is, having my user directory called "test" isn't the worst thing. Everything works. I'll probably just leave it.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #5

    Excellent call. If it ain't broke.. don't...
      My Computers


 

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