Changing user name

Tharwatime · 19 Jan 2020

After a few months of using Win 10 it's becoming more functional as I learn more about it. When I start there's a screen with wallpaper I selected. A key is pressed and then the password screen appears. This refers to me as "Owner", most probably due to C:\users\owner. Is it possible to vary that folder to my name so that this appears on the password screen? If not, how can I have my name appear? TIA.

dalchina · 19 Jan 2020

Hi, this question is often asked.

From the extensive tutorial section (here's a searchable list):
Windows 10 Tutorial Index

please see
Change Name of User Profile Folder in Windows 10

Note- this is non-trivial- I hope you are already using disk imaging routinely as is so so often advocated here. If not, take the time to create one of Windows before starting in case things go wrong so you have a second chance.

E.g. Macrium Reflect (free-paid) + large enough external storage for image files.

Your account name- separate issue:
Change User Name of Account in Windows 10

More: see 'Related Tutorials' below the text.

Tharwatime · 19 Jan 2020

Thank you. I'll look at the name change later - there's a few steps and I want to be sure I do it correctly. The disk image advice stunned me somewhat. In Win 7 there were automatic restore points when a major change is made to the OS or drive, such as adding software or a patch. It would have been useful if there was a summary of significant variations in win 10 compared to earlier versions I'm running Disk image now, stored on my data drive, 53 GB. This will be copied to several backup drives over the next week. I also have a full Acronis backup of the C: drive, belts and braces. Acronis is run every week.

dalchina · 19 Jan 2020

Disk imaging is nothing new- system restore is utterly different and offers very specific and limited protection.

Images are compressed copies of the used parts of the partitions imaged. Bear in mind a UEFI installation is typically 4 partitions - Macrium Reflect offers 1 button selection of those for imaging Windows- not just 'C:'

Images should be saved on an external removable drive to avoid interference from PC issues from power to ransomware, and so they can be stored separately (think fire/theft/flood...).

Glad to hear you're already using disk imaging- members here prefer MR.

System Restore in Win 10:
a. Restoring is notoriously unreliable.
b. is disabled usually after each upgrade
c. is available
d. can be scheduled
e. is not necessarily triggered when you might hope

margrave55 · 19 Jan 2020

After a bad experience long ago ... I would not attempt to change my user name. Too much funny stuff happens.

Rather ... I'd just create a new user with the name I want. I would then copy my files from my old Desktop/Documents/Videos/etc. folder to my new ones.

Porthos · 19 Jan 2020

margrave55 said:

After a bad experience long ago ... I would not attempt to change my user name. Too much funny stuff happens.

Rather ... I'd just create a new user with the name I want. I would then copy my files from my old Desktop/Documents/Videos/etc. folder to my new ones.

I agree with this method as well.

Bree · 19 Jan 2020

I agree with margrave55, although it is safe to change the account name, that won't change the user profile folder name. That can be done and Dalchina has given you a link to the tutorial, but it can have unexpected side effects if not completed correctly. And like Dalchina, I recommend making a full system image before attempting any changes.

By far the safest way is to create a new local user account in the name you wish to use and migrate your files and documents over to the new account.

Remember to make the new account an administrator if you intend to delete your 'Owner' account, but I would recommend keeping it. There are times when having a second administrator account available is useful, such as if you ever get locked out of your main account.

As an aside, I actually like to use the name 'Owner' as my main account on all my machines, I find it nicely 'anonymous' should it get picked up by any websites I visit.