When you create a new user account on Windows 10, the operating system automatically generates a user folder for that account. This user folder is named after the username you choose during the account creation process. However, there may be times when you want to rename the user folder to better reflect the user's name or to improve organization on your computer. In this article, we'll show you how to rename a user folder in Windows 10.
Step 1: Create a New User Account
Before you can rename a user folder in Windows 10, you'll need to create a new user account with administrator privileges. To do this, open the Settings app and go to "Accounts" > "Family & other users" > "Add someone else to this PC". Follow the prompts to create a new account with administrator privileges.
Step 2: Log in to the New User Account
After creating the new user account, log out of your current account and log in to the new account. This will ensure that the user folder you want to rename is not currently in use.
Step 3: Rename the User Folder
To rename the user folder, open File Explorer and navigate to the "C:\Users" folder. Find the folder with the name of the old user account that you want to rename. Right-click on the folder and select "Rename". Type in the new name for the folder and press Enter.
Step 4: Update the Registry
After renaming the user folder, you'll need to update the registry to reflect the new folder name. To do this, open the Registry Editor by pressing Windows key + R, typing "regedit" and pressing Enter. Navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList". Find the key with the "ProfileImagePath" value that matches the old user folder name. Double-click on the "ProfileImagePath" value and change the old folder name to the new folder name. Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
Step 5: Log Out and Log Back In
After updating the registry, log out of the new user account and log back in to your original account. You should now see the new user folder name reflected in File Explorer.
Tips and Tricks
- Make sure you have a backup of your important files before making any changes to the registry.
- If you have any programs that are configured to use the old user folder path, you may need to update their settings to reflect the new folder name.
- If you're not comfortable editing the registry manually, there are third-party tools available that can automate the process for you.
Conclusion
Renaming a user folder in Windows 10 can be a simple process if you follow these steps carefully. Just remember to create a new user account with administrator privileges, log in to the new account, rename the user folder, update the registry, and log out and back in to your original account. With these tips and tricks, you can keep your computer organized and customized to your liking.
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