User Profile Folder - Change User Account Folder Name

adi009 said:

Hi,
I tried following this tutorial, but when I got to Step 7 (renaming the user account folder from a different user account with administrator settings) an error message comes up saying that the action can't be completed because the folder or a file in it is open in another program. I restarted the computer and logged on directly into the new account, but I still get the same message.

I had the same problem and finally figured out it was network related. Disconnecting my LAN cable allowed me to complete the change. Maybe my router had something open...?

(Edit) Forgot to say thanks to Brink! <salute>

This worked, now my user profile directory matches my login name.

I would suggest that if you've used Outlook under your old name, create a backup of your Outlook .pst folder by doing File:Export in Outlook before you change your user name.

When I opened Outlook, I just had to re-direct the path for the Outlook.pst folder to the backup I had created before changing the username.

Brink,

1) Does this technique to rename the user profile folder work for the built-in administrator account? I want to rename the built-in administrator's user profile folder.

2) You say that the permissions page on the security tab will still show the old name as well as the new name. Is there any way to delete the old name from the permissions entries? I really would like that option. I only want to see the new name.

3) To confirm, after completing this procedure, will EVERY instance of the old name in Windows be updated to reflect the NEW name?

Thank you for your help! :)

Brink,

Unfortunately, I already had read that tutorial. It doesn't allow me to accomplish the goal I am seeking, which is renaming the built-in administrator account AND the built-in administrator profile folder WITHOUT a clean reinstall. I had enabled it shortly after installing Windows and did not rename it prior to enabling it.

Are there no other options that would allow me to accomplish my goal without reinstalling Windows?

Thanks for the help. I appreciate it.


-BRENT

Brink,

Thank you for checking into it! You are great. Can you also address question #2 and #3 that I originally posted?

Also, just to be sure, you are saying to follow this tutorial for renaming the built-in administrator account AND its user profile folder?:

How to Change the User Folder Name of a User Profile in Windows 7