Can't change User account folder name

  1.    #1

    Can't change User account folder name


    Changed User account name in Control Panel but the User folder in explorer remains the same. No option to Rename at rightclick.

    I notice in User Accounts it says the name change is for Welcome screen and Start Menu. Why can't we change the User folder name?

    Is there any option besides to delete account and start over? It is the only account and Admin. Will we lose anything other than files in User folders?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 465
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 and Home Premium x64
       #2

    I don't believe so. It is a hold over from how Profiles are created. When a user account Profile is created, it sets a specific SID. That SID then stores what it thinks it should have, which, I believe, was also user account folders. I know that I have tried with XP to just pull over someone's profile, even from the domain, but for the computer, it was dead set on the naming convention it stuck for the SID that it would try and recreate it.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 8,608
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit SP1
       #3

    Is there an option to take 'ownership'?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 6,243
    win 7 ultimate32bit, Win8.1pro wmc 32bit
       #4

    Greg ,have a look at this thread How to change user account actual file name :)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 50,642
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks Kathryn and Keichi. I see it can't be done - have to delete the User folder and start a new one.

    Jacee, no way to take ownership any more than I have.
    Last edited by gregrocker; 15 Oct 2010 at 14:37.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 6,243
    win 7 ultimate32bit, Win8.1pro wmc 32bit
       #6

    gregrocker said:
    Thanks Kathryn. I see it can't be done - have to delete the User folder and start a new one.
    You're very welcome greg
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 465
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 and Home Premium x64
       #7

    No problem Greg. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

    Like I said, I think it was a hold over on how windows does profiles and from previous attempts to deal with migration of computers, like trying to get user settings over manually (And not having a USMT tool, which I never really figured out), the results usually end up like that.

    I've also see when I worked on a machine with a particular login, then join it to a domain and use the same exact login name, it creates a new profile and uses its own notation to differentiate it from the local one, so unfortunately, I think the design was to avoid people mucking up the profile by overwriting it with a bad one or allow someone to destroy the old profile if it is completely corrupt and then rebuild from scratch.
      My Computer


 

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