How to Change Windows Username and C:\Users Folder Name

This guide explains how to rename Windows profile folders using a backup Administrator account. The steps include changing the folder name, adjusting the profile path in the Registry, and creating a symbolic link so that the old path still points to the new folder.

Notes: Changing the profile folder or Registry can cause Windows and applications to fail to find files if done incorrectly. Back up important data before starting.

Step 1: Activate the built-in Administrator account

To rename the main user folder, you need to use a backup Administrator account.

If the “Yes” button is still available

1. Click Start, type cmd.
2. Right click Command Prompt, then select Run as administrator.
3. Type the following command, then press Enter:

   net user administrator /active:yes

If the "Yes" button is no longer available

1. Enter Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) via Settings → System → Recovery → Advanced Startup → Restart Now.
2. On the blue screen, select Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Command Prompt.
3. In the WinRE Command Prompt, type the following commands in sequence:

   C:
   cd windows\system32
   ren magnify.exe magnify.bak
   copy cmd.exe magnify.exe

4. Close Command Prompt and select it Continue to return to the log-in screen.
5. On the lock screen, click the icon Accessibility in the bottom right corner, then select Magnifier.
6. In the Command Prompt window that opens, type:

   net user administrator /active:yes

7. Press Enter, then restart the laptop.

Step 2: Rename the main user account and folder

1. After restart, select account Administrators at the log-in and login screen.
2. Open File Explorer, then go to C:\Users\.
3. Right click the old folder (example: GnProj), select Rename, then change the name (example: Lt7).
4. Press Windows + R, type regedit, then press Enter.
5. In Registry Editor, open:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList

6. Select the long folder that begins with S-1-5-21-.... On the right, search ProfileImagePath whose value still points to the old folder.
7. Double click ProfileImagePath, change the path to a new folder (example: C:\Users\Lt7), then click OK.

Step 3: Create a symbolic link for the old path

1. Still from the backup Administrator account, open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Type the following command. Change GnProj with the old folder name and Lt7 with the new folder name:

   mklink /d C:\Users\GnProj C:\Users\Lt7

3. Press Enter. The system will display a message that the symbolic link was successfully created.
4. Sign out or restart the laptop.

Step 4: Log back in and disable backup Administrator

1. At the log-in screen, log back into your main account using your regular PIN or password.
2. To disable the backup Administrator account, open Command Prompt (Admin), then run:

   net user administrator /active:no

3. Press Enter.

Change the example folder name GnProj and Lt7 according to the name used on your computer.