Rename main user

[cbmudd]

My main username was created at install of XP Pro.
I can change the name in user profiles but the folder under
documents and settings keeps the old name. It cannot be changed. When I try to rename it says that it is a system folder and cannot be changed. Is there a way to rename this folder. It is not the one that is displayed when I click my computer, But the one you see when you go the long way, My computer--- C:----- Documents and settings..

 

[bcastner]

Get PsGetSid from Sysinternals:

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/psgetsid.shtml

Then use that to retrieve the user's SID.

Open regedit, go to HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList, check the SIDs listed there against the SID you're looking for, and then look at the value of "ProfileImagePath"

Now, to rename the folder while making sure that the user can still access the profile, do the following:
* Retrieve the user's SID.
* Logon with an administrator account (other than the user whose folder you want to change).
* Rename the folder to the user's current name (or whatever you want to name it). This requires at least Service Pack 1,

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=827059

* Open regedit, go to HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList\<User's SID>, and change the "ProfileImagePath" to the new name.

How to Move the Location of a Locally Cached Profile

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=214470

(From EE)

 

[bcastner]

If it is not clear from the above, you may have to temporarily create a new administrator user and logon as that new user to make the change. You can remove this new user afterwards.