Rename User Folder In Windows 10

Raza Ali Kazmi Solutions, Windows 10

Are you trying to rename the User folder in Windows 10? It’s likely that you’ve already tried just changing the User folder name but it didn’t work. There are different reasons why it may not work.

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The first and foremost, simply renaming the User folder itself is not sufficient. Windows has complex mechanisms. Your data is stored in multiple locations. In contrast to normal folders, the User folder in Windows holds a significant importance. It is a part of the special directory structure. It is used by different applications to store user-specific data such as documents, photos, videos and anything else you create. Therefore, simply renaming the User folder might cause these applications to malfunction. The issue might even cause your computer to display an error message every time it starts up, or at worse, your precious data might suddenly disappear.

So what should you do if you want to rename the User folder? Well, there are two methods to rename it. The first method is the longest and most complex. The second method is relatively simple, quicker and devoid of any additional risk.

Method 1: Using Registry Editor (For Advanced Users)

Step 1: Create a system restore point & backup your data (Recommended)

We strongly recommend you creating a system restore point prior to making any changes to your system. Any incorrect changes made to your computer’s registry can make your system unstable.

Type Create a restore point in the Search box on the taskbar and select it from the Search Results.

Select your system partition (typically, drive C:) and click Create.

Specify a name for your restore point, and click Create.

It might take a few moments to create a restore point.

After creating a system restore point, backup your documents and other important data to the cloud or a removable storage such as an external hard disk.

Step 2: Close all open applications

Windows might fail to rename the User folder if it’s already been in use. To make sure that no application is using it, close all the open applications.

Simply closing your applications is not enough. Look for any applications minimized to your System Tray and still running behind your screen. To do so, click on the upward arrow at the far right corner of your Taskbar. Right-click each application and select the Exit option.

If you are still unable to rename the User folder, you may want to restart your computer in the Safe Mode. To restart your Windows 10 in Safe Mode, follow the steps given below:

  1. Click the Start button, select Settings.
  2. Click on Update & Security, followed by Recovery.
  3. Select the Restart now option under the Advanced startup.
  4. Your computer will shut down and restart itself. Prior to the boot process, your computer will display Choose an option screen.
  5. Click the Troubleshoot icon.
  6. In the subsequent screen, select Advanced Options.
  7. Select Startup Settings, followed by Restart.
  8. As your computer restarts itself, it’ll prompt you to select a Boot Mode.
  9. Press F4 or use the keyboard arrow keys to select the Safe Mode option and press Enter.

Step 3: Unhide profile-specific registry settings

Before we make changes to the registry, we’ll need to make the profile-specific settings visible. If you skip this step you won’t be able to access the required subkeys in the registry.

  1. Type CMD in the Search box on your Taskbar.
  2. Right-click the Command Prompt, select Run as administrator.
  3. Execute the following command:
    • net user administrator /active:yes
  4. After successful execution, close Command Prompt.

Step 4: Rename the User folder

Now, rename the User folder in File Explorer:

  1. Double-click the This PC icon on your Desktop.
  2. Open the following directory:
  3. C:\Users\Your_User_Name
  4. Copy the full path to your User folder (for example: C\Users\John) to a Notepad file.
  5. Move back to the previous page.
  6. Right-click your User folder (for example: John), and select Rename.
  7. Enter your desired name for the User folder.

Step 5: Rename ProfileImagePath in system registry

Once you’ve renamed the User folder, you must change the ProfileImagePath in your computer’s registry. Registry is a complex database consisting of hundreds of thousands of entries.

  1. Open up the Registry Editor. To do so, type in Regedit in the Search box on your Taskbar. Select Registry Editor from the Search Results.
  2. Locate the following sub-key:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Microsoft -> Windows NT -> CurrentVersion -> ProfileList
  3. As you expand the ProfileList key, you’ll find a number of subkeys with random names.
  4. Click on each subkey and look for the ProfileImagePath value on the right hand side panel of your screen.
  5. If the ProfileImagePath matches with your current User folder path that you copied to Notepad, replace it with the new folder name.
  6. Exit Registry Editor.

Step 6: Sign-out & sign-in again

Once you’ve performed the above steps, you need to sign-out the current session and sign-in again. The changes you’ve made will not take effect until you sign-in back in a new session.

  1. Right-click on the Start icon, select Shut down or sign out.
  2. Select Sign out.
  3. After signing out from your account, sign in back again.

Alternatively, you can also restart your computer for successful completion.

Step 7: Rebuild Windows Search Index

As you rename the User folder, the existing search index becomes obsolete. When you search for a document or file, Windows might not be able to find it. To fix this issue, you must rebuild the Windows Search Index again from scratch. It’ll have newer file paths. Until then, the search results might be incomplete. You may not be able to use it 

  1. In the Search Box on your Taskbar, type Indexing Options.
  2. Open the Indexing Options from the Search Results.
  3. Click on Advanced.
  4. Select Rebuild under Troubleshooting.
  5. Windows will display a confirmation message. Click OK.

Method 2: Create A New User Account (Recommended)

Another option is to create a new user account altogether. As you create a new user account, it automatically creates a new User folder. Be sure to enter a user name that you want to appear as the name of your User folder. Technically, the procedure does not rename your existing User folder. Your existing user profile remains unaltered.

  1. Click on Start, select Settings.
  2. Click on Accounts.
  3. Click on the Family & other users tab.
  4. Click the option Add someone else to this PC under the Other Users category.
  5. At this stage, Windows will prompt you to enter the secondary user’s Microsoft account login credentials. If you’re not connected to an Internet connection, you won’t be asked to sign in with a Microsoft account.

Create a user account linked to your Microsoft account

Type in a Microsoft account email address followed by a password. If you have previously activated the 2-Step Authentication mechanism, Windows will ask you to verify your identity with an OTP on your registered phone.

Create a local user account offline

If you don’t have a Microsoft account, simply use the option I don’t have this person’s sign-in information. Windows will display a simple prompt with a username and password. Be sure to save the password somewhere else, in the event you forget it.

Finally, once an account is created, you will want to sign out and sign-in from the new account.