System using two different names for same user account


  1. Posts : 17
    Windows 10
       #1

    System using two different names for same user account


    I am setting up a new PC. Win 10 seems to force you to use a Microsoft email account/address as the basis for setting it up. It then uses 5 letters from the email name as your user account name. You can then convert the user account to a "local" account, not tied in to the Microsoft email address.
    I converted my user account to "local". I could then change the user account name, and changed it to a name I preferred. A mistake! The logon screen shows the new account name but file explorer almost never shows the new account name. (Saw it once; couldn't use it.) It just shows the name taken from the email address.
    I want to set up a Home Group network and want to get that done right.
    How can I correct the name conflict so that the network sets up properly?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 18,430
    Windows 11 Pro
       #2

    You are mistaken, when you install Windows 10 you are not forced to use a Microsoft account to login with. You just have to read the screens carefully and click on the links that take you past all the MS account login stuff until you get to the screen that lets you put in a local account user name.

    The switch between the local account and MS account does not change the base user account on the computer. It only changes the way the user logs into that base user account. When you create a local account from the beginning, the account name on the computer gets the user name that you type in. When you create an account as a Microsoft Account login from the beginning, the user account gets the name of the first few letters of the Microsoft Account email address. When you change that user account between MS login and local login, the base name of the physical account on the computer does not change.

    So now what you want to do is switch your current account to a local account with a login name of something like Temp. Create a new local user account with the name you want. Mine is John because I want it to be my first name. Make sure to change the new account to an administrator. Log in to the new local account, move any documents/data over from the old account you want to keep. Then delete the old account. Now you can change your new account to the same MS Account login - but the base username of the physical account on the computer will remain the name that you wanted to from the beginning.

    Option 3 here:
    User Account - Add in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Tutorials

    Option 1 here:
    Account Type - Change in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Tutorials

    Option 1 here:
    User Account - Delete in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Tutorials
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,773
    Windows 10 Home
       #3

    NavyLCDR's method is good. I also used this one when I set up a computer and the person wanted his User name to be his first name only (works in 10 as well as 7). This addresses the network share issue that you're concerned with too. Remember to copy all folder content before deleting the unwanted name and sign out and in between all steps -
    http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...lder-name.html
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 17
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    NavyLCDR
    Thank you. A sensible, fairly simple solution. I've applied it successfully and everything looks OK so far.
    Thanks again.
    I won't mark this as solved until I look at MrGeek's suggestion about the network.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 17
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    MrGeek
    I looked at the SeveForums writeup and have saved it for reference. Thanks.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 17
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    I have set up the Home Group OK for the two important PC's. Couldn't get a third PC (my wife's notebook - which has previous other problems) to recognize the Home Group. It wants to create a Home Group. Can't worry about this now. I may be back for help on this later.

    Thank again.

    Gar
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 18,430
    Windows 11 Pro
       #7

    They do make the links to create a local account fairly difficult to navigate through. It's pretty obvious they are pushing Microsoft Accounts hard. I wish they reverse that, make the local account default and make the MS Account the option rather than the default.
      My Computer


 

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