Solved Change User Profile Folder Name in C:\Users

[znod]

I am networking, among others, 2 Win7 machines and 1 Win8 machine. One of the Win7's used the same user name and password as the Win8 machine. I wanted to fix it so that the two usernames and passwords were different--specifically I wanted to alter the Win7 user name and password. I though first about just changing the username on the Win7 machine, but recalled that doing so would not change the related user profile folder name in C:\Users. I could not recall how to do so. I found this tutorial on our Windows 7 forum. From a thread on the our Win 8 forum, I learned that the procedures of the tutorial also apply to Win8 (maybe there is a related Win8 tutorial that I didn't find).

After reading through the tutorial, I was uncertain about a few things and also could not figure out why proceeding as described would be advantageous in regard to what seemed like an easier way to get at least mostly the same result. So, instead of using the tutorial,

1. I added a new (administrative user--the level I wanted) having the user name and password I wanted.
2. Copied the files and desktop items (shortcuts and a few folders) I would need from the old account/desktop to the new account/desktop.
3. Did minor desktop customization on the new desktop (I usually don't do much theme-wise.
4. Deleted the old account, and all was good once I joined my HomeGroup and shared a few not HomeGroup items. The stage now is set to do an a Win7, Win8, Lion, and Mt. Lion networking experiment that I am interested in.

I had though that some programs and shortcuts might not work, but was unconcerned since the computer and its installation are "old." I figured that I would just add things back as needed if there were problems. As it turns out, all the programs and shortcuts worked.

Anyway, I am curious about if, and why, it might have been advantageous to do things the tutorial way rather than the way I did them. It seems to me that the fuss and bother is somewhat less the way I proceeded.

All discussion and thoughts appreciated.

 

[Brink]

Hello znod,

I agree that it is best and safer to create a new account instead of trying to rename the old user profile folder.

The tutorial is just how to do it if one really wants to, but I do have the note at the top of the tutorial that would be best to create a new account instead.

 

[znod]

I see the sentence you are referring to now--about "the only true way ...." I blew by it not noticing that you had changed gears. Thanks. That explains everything--no advantages to doing it the tutorial way.

 

[Brink]

Only if you really don't want to create a new account, but you do get better results creating a new account to use.

 

[znod]

Don't want to over do the discussion, but why would an individual choose not to create a new account when doing so seems easier and subject to fewer potential obstacles to overcome (I surmise from some of the posts on the tutorial thread) than the alternative? I can see using the alternative as a challenge and to learn something new, but, otherwise???

 

[Brink]

Got me, but we had several people requests for it over at SF, so I created a tutorial on it. Personally, I recommend the new account method.