User Account Name Change

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

  1. Posts : 305
    Windows 10 Pro for Workstations
       #1

    User Account Name Change


    I've managed to change almost every bit of my old username (ericnix) to the new one (ericnixmd) on my Windows 10 system.

    However, the file directory still has "ericnix" as the directory name.

    What would happen if I simply renamed it to "ericnixmd" -- would any program accessing it be automatically updated, or will this open Pandora's box of problems?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 4,224
    Windows 10
       #2

    There are definite consequences involved. That's why Shawn @Brink, TF moderator and tutorial author extraordinaire, created a tutorial to deal with this situation: Change Name of User Profile Folder in Windows 10. So indeed, you CAN do this. But as you will see and learn as you work through the steps involved there, there's a little more to it than simply renaming the folder itself.
    HTH,
    --Ed--
    Last edited by EdTittel; 17 Apr 2018 at 08:37. Reason: Fix reference
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 305
    Windows 10 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks for the link. I didn't see the article. :)
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,773
    Windows 10 Home
       #4

    I've managed to change almost every bit of my old username (ericnix) to the new one (ericnixmd) on my Windows 10 system.

    How ? Did you do it the correct way and add a new Local Account named 'ericnixmd' or some other way ? The A would determine best path forward.

    However, the file directory still has "ericnix" as the directory name.

    Do you see two separate Users in the C:\Users list ?

    What would happen if I simply renamed it to "ericnixmd" --

    ABSOLUTELY DON'T, NO, DON'T DO IT ! Either follow the tutorial that 'Ed' pointed you to or, if you have two distinct Users in the C:\Users- make SURE the desired name User is an Admin, copy/move the This PC folders contents (eg; Music to Music,etc) from the undesired User to the corresponding folders of the desired one. Sign in with the desired name, go to Accounts and delete the undesired User Account.

    Post your progress or success to help others.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 305
    Windows 10 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I used the Windows change username feature. However, I've also had to use other tips on here.

    I followed the advice above and was successful in changing the username folder. However, it wasn't without issues. I had to create a new profile for Outlook because the email data files were pointing to the old file name, I had to reinstall Dropbox (although I later found a setting where I could change the file path), my desktop background had to be replaced (guess it was pointing to old user directory), etc. I went through and manually changed a bunch of references to "ericnix" in the registry to "ericnixmd" which solved a lot of problems.

    This wasn't as easy as I had thought, but hopefully nothing surfaces going forward. I launched all my usual programs (Word, QuickBooks, Amazon Music, iTunes, GoToMeeting, etc.) and all worked as intended except for Outlook and Dropbox. Even Dragon Medical Practice Edition worked.

    Here's hoping things are fixed. Perhaps I should've just left well enough alone.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4,224
    Windows 10
       #6

    This wasn't as easy as I had thought...
    .
    It never is, sir, it never is. But glad you're making progress on the switchover. The real gotcha is that your default user directory spec gets written to the Registry all over the place, and it's hard to run down and fix all of those references. That's why the tutorial is so helpful, IMO.
    Best wishes,
    --Ed--
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 305
    Windows 10 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Tutorial was definitely helpful. Now I'm having issues with my Dell speaker bar not being recognized initially. I click the sound icon and it repairs it, but it loses it on the next reboot. I'm using it right now for a Skype teleconference. My plan is to uninstall the driver and reinstall it to see if that helps. Other than that, things seem to be working smoothly.

    I'm doing this because my eventual goal is to create a personal account on my work laptop to separate things. Hence the ericnixmd is for business and ericnix is for personal.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 305
    Windows 10 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #8

    I can't figure this one out...

    I have a Dell AE515 soundbar that has a microphone. It's connected through a WD15 dock and a Dell P2717H monitor.

    Before changing my username, anytime I connected my laptop to the dock, it would port sound through the soundbar. Now, I always get an error when rebooting that says the Windows Audio Service isn't running.

    Uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers hasn't helped. :|
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 305
    Windows 10 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #9

    So it looks like the audio service isn't loading. When I use the troubleshooter, it fixes it, but it doesn't last after a reboot. It's effecting all of my sound devices.

    I've uninstalled and reinstalled drivers. Things seem fine until a reboot. I've looked in services.msc and everything is set to automatic loading for Windows Audio and other files.

    Any tips?
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 305
    Windows 10 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Word to the wise. If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it.

    I think I'm going to have to reinstall Windows. ugh

    OK, I think I finally got it working. At some point the Windows Audio service logon got changed to local system account instead of the NT local service. Who would've thought that would've made the difference.

    I booted a few times and the driver loaded. (At one point it got to where the driver would load, but no sound was being produced. Any attempt to repair the audio system would give an error that the audio service wasn't responding.)

    Here's hoping nothing regresses...
    Last edited by ericnixmd; 18 Apr 2018 at 00:41.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 15:43.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums