How Do I change my Windows XP username in C:\Documents and Settings\ ?

Question

I'm having trouble in changing my user name in Windows XP. I want to change Joseph to something else, however when I go into C:\Documents and Settings\ and right click on the "Joseph" folder it doesn't allow me to rename it. Going into control panel and editing my username in the Users section doesn't work because whatever I change it to the C:\Documents and Settings\Joseph... always stays the same. Its the name that was first used when the OS was installed, how can I change it? There's gotta be a way. Cheers

Answer 1

I know what you mean as it's happened to me before, what I did was simply create a new account with the proper name and then delete the old one (after moving all files I wanted to keep).

Answer 2

Start > Control Panel > User Accounts > Change an Account. Assuming you have an Administrator (I do not know if this option is available in Limited User accounts) - select your Account and select Change my Name -- This will change both your User Name and your Documents and Settings folder name.



The advantage of this (rather than creating a new account) is that you retain all of your other Windows settings such as your user icon, screen saver, desktop, themes, program access and preferences, etc., etc.



While you are working in user accounts -- Assuming your account is password protected (and it should be!! - this is an easy but significant step in preventing unauthorized computer access) - select Prevent Forgotten Password on the left-hand side of the Change Account Screen under Related Tasks. Then, follow the steps specified in the wizard to set up a USB (floppy disk, etc.) to avoid any problems if you somehow forget your password (it will still work even if you change your password in the future - but not if you change your account identity). Please note, that if you forget your password without this process you may lose access to data!

Answer 3

Windows Xp Change User Name

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

How Do I change my Windows XP username in C:\Documents and Settings\ ?

I'm having trouble in changing my user name in Windows XP. I want to change Joseph to something else, however when I go into C:\Documents and Settings\ and right click on the "Joseph" folder it doesn't allow me to rename it. Going into control panel and editing my username...

Answer 5

Windows XP doesn't let you change your name that way. You need to go to:



START > CONTROL PANEL > USER ACCOUNTS



Then if you are the administrator for the computer which you most likely are,



Click on the USERNAME you want to switch and click EDIT PROFILE and change the name.

Then close your way out of it.

This will automatically update the name in c:\Documents and Settings\...

Answer 6

As Mike said you can't change the name in C:\documents and settings.

The only way is to create a new login account and transfer all the files.

The reason I am answering is that in addition to what Mike said you may need to take over 'ownership' of files with your new identity.

Answer 7

Delete away, it's no problem. Also click on start, then run, type in prefetch and a folder will be displayed, select all the files (ctrl A) and delete everything. These files can also take up a lok of space and slow down the speed at which your computer starts up.

Answer 8

hello....

The easiest answer is to create a New user with the desired name and copy

the documents and settings from the old. Then delete the old user.

Answer 9

control panel> accounts> change account> ect.

Answer 10

by saying change