Solved Changed account name not changing in file system

[highstream]

Let's say during Win 8 install I set up my account name as JohnDoe, then later switch it to John, which now shows in User Accounts. However, the thing is that in Windiws Explorer, i.e., the file system, my account name still shows as JohnDoe. I had put off dealing with this, but having just installed my email client (Sylpheed) it seems to have come to a head. In composing an email, I went to attach a file stored in one of the C:\Users\name\AppData folders, only to discover that AppData and some other folders like that are not showing in the attachment dialogue box, although they do show in Windows Explorer. That made me wonder if the discrepancy in names is behind the email attachment problem. What are the steps for getting the names to correspond? Thanks,

 

[Brink]

Hello Highstream,

Changing the user account name doesn't change it's C:\Users\(user-name) folder. Instead it only changes it on the sign-in and Start screen.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/8782-user-account-name-change-windows-8-a.html

The best way to change the name completely is to create a new account to use instead, then copy any files or shortcuts from the old account into the new one afterwards.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5536-user-account-add-new-user-windows-8-a.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[highstream]

Having set up a full adminstrator account the other day and seeing it blank, so to speak, I need to get clear. When you say copy any files and shortcuts to the new account, do you mean copy everything, including apps? I'd hate to have to start over again. This is a local/admin account.

The underlying question here is whether or not this name discrepancy is causing an email client not to see the AppData folders. As a test, I changed the account name back to JohnDoe, so the names correspond, and rebooted. Same results with the email client. I wonder what could be causing that.

 

[Brink]

Changing the name of the user account would have no affect on that since they are tied together no matter what user name you changed it to through "User Accounts" in the Control Panel.

Since you are having that issue, it may be best to go ahead and create a new local administrator account to use instead. You would not need to copy everything over. The programs will still be installed, but you would need to either copy their shortcuts over or create new shortcuts to them in the new account. Files, would be anything in your old account's user folders (Music, Documents, etc...) that you want to copy into the new account's user folders. You would have to setup your email client for the new account as well, but it looks like you may need to do that anyways.

After a few days to make sure you have everything you need from the old account, you could delete the old account if you like.

 

[highstream]

After a few days... famous last words. Be nice if MS made it easier to set up new user accounts.

A question: My new user account shows as local, while my other one was local/administrator. Short of deleting the latter, is there any way to getting the new one local/admin. I'd like to turn down User Acct Control settings, but am blocked. Thanks,

 

[Brink]

Sounds like you just missed the step 9 in the tutorial above to change it to administrator.

No worries. You can sign back in to your old or any administrator account, then use the tutorial below to change the new account to be an administrator.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5518-user-account-type-change-windows-8-a.html

 

[highstream]

No, I didn't miss it, just thought that change to Administrator would be the full admin, not the local one. Didn't want to go through that again. Thanks,

 

[Brink]

Nar, only the built-in elevated "Administrator" account is the full one by default.

Could you post a screenshot of what it shows for this user account in Control Panel (icons view) -> User Accounts -> Manage Accounts to see if it may help ID what the issue may be?

Be sure to black out any personal information first though.

 

[highstream]

I don't think there's a problem there anymore, once I realized that the Admin choice there wasn't the top level one. In any case, it says...
Name1
Local Account
Administrator

(Quick Launch folder problem I mentioned now solved from other account).

 

[Brink]

That's great news. I'm happy to hear all is well now.

 

[highstream]

Thank you and for your great help. One of the true benefits of the internet. I'm almost done, except for tidying up the contents of some folders and app settings. One question I have is about the height of the taskbar. To me, it's a fair amount taller than in Win 7, so much right now that both the time and date are showing, as well as the icons on the left being much larger than I need. See the screenshot. Note that I use an XP-style Quick Launch bar right center; in Win 7 the taskbar there was just a bit taller than the icons. I don't see a way to adjust down it manually. Is there one?

Taskbar screenshot:

 

[Brink]

From looking at your screenshot, the taskbar appears to be normal and the same size as Windows 7.

Here's a comparison screenshot between W7 and W8 taskbars. I have Windows 7 running in a VM on my left monitor, and Windows 8 on the middle monitor. They look the same to me.




If you like, you could select to use small or large icons for pinned apps on the taskbar.

Taskbar - Use Small or Large Icons - Windows 7 Forums

You could also increase or decrease the level of the taskbar, but it appears you are already at the lowest height level.

Taskbar - Resize - Windows 7 Forums

 

[highstream]

Good morning, Brink. Mine in 7 is different (see shot) and I just realized why. In taskbar properties, small icons was checked there and not in 8. That problem solved.




While we're at it, with the new user acct all the file thumbnails in Explorer dialogue boxes have been stock, rather than specific (screenshot). What controls that? Thanks,

 

[Brink]

Great news.

I noticed the icon is not for the default programs (Photos or Windows Photo Viewer) used to display images with. What program do you have set as the default program for these images? It may not support thumbnail previews.

Normally, you could use an option in the tutorial below to turn thumbnail previews on or off. This depends on if the default program you set supports thumbnail previews or not.

Thumbnail Previews - Enable or Disable - Windows 7 Forums

 

[highstream]

I've got jpg association set to Paint.net, but changing to Paint doesn't make a difference. It doesn't seem to be icons vs. thumbnails, but something else. I'll have to check Win 7 again. Btw, is it normal that a dual boot with Win 7 primary uses a DOS screen and then goes to the user's choice, while with Win 8 primary it goes to an 8-style screen and then if 7 is chosen the computer reboots?

Follow up: I'm a details kind of guy, so I hadn't noticed it in Win 7. That icons instead of thumbnails box has to be unchecked and icons rather than details chosen in dialogue boxes to see images specific to the files.

 

[Brink]

I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted.

 

[highstream]

Back again. On that Win 8 taskbar screenshot above, there are three app icons on the left, to which I added two more later. Just now, as I was installing another app, all five turned blank and report that the associated item has been moved, renamed or deleted. Second time today for one of them. The toolbar was locked. What might be going on? I never saw this in Win 7. Thanks,

Follow up: I now have an idea how this occurred but don't fully understand it. On the Win 8 taskbar, over on the far right of the Quick Launch group, is a yellow Explorer folder called User Pinned. That folder includes the five items over there on the far left. I had deleted that icon before this occurred, thus no doubt that's how they all when blank. What I don't understand is where that folder came from, i.e., is it something peculair to Win 8, since I never saw anything like it in Win 7, as you can see from my screenshot.

 

[Brink]

Yeah, it sounds like you deleted the source of the pinned apps causing them to no longer work. I always find it best to pin directly from the .exe file.