Changing user

[Bob S]

I am giving my computer (running XP Pro, Media Center Edition, with SP3) to
my wife. I (Bob) have been the only user on the computer. Now she will be
the only user on the computer. So, I would prefer that the user folder
(with subfolders like "application data", "Local Settings" and "My
Documents" in it) be changed from "Bob" to "Steph". I doubt that it is as
easy as simply renaming that folder from Bob to Steph, is it? If not, can
somebody tell me the process I need to go through to change it to her name.
Thank you in advance. Bob

 

[glee]

I am giving my computer (running XP Pro, Media Center Edition, with
SP3) to my wife. I (Bob) have been the only user on the computer. Now
she will be the only user on the computer. So, I would prefer that the
user folder (with subfolders like "application data", "Local Settings"
and "My Documents" in it) be changed from "Bob" to "Steph". I doubt
that it is as easy as simply renaming that folder from Bob to Steph, is
it? If not, can somebody tell me the process I need to go through to
change it to her name. Thank you in advance. Bob

Start> Control Panel> User Accounts
Under "Pick an Account to Change", click Bob.
Click "Change my Name"
Change it to Steph, and click the Change Name button.

Log out and log back in, if necessary.

 

[Bob S]

Thank you Glen, that was a very speedy reply.

That worked very nicely to change the user. However, The only user listed
under "Documents and settings" (other than Administrator, All Users, and
Default User) is Bob. Steph is not there. Can I just change this folder
name from Bob to Steph? Thanks again.
Bob

 

[glee]

(top posting to match your format)
OK....try this instead.
Change the name back to Bob in User control panel, then follow the
procedure here to make a new profile named Steph and copy your profile
to hers (you will have to create a temporary third profile with admin
rights to work from):

How to copy data from a corrupted user profile to a new profile in
Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/811151

Another take on the procedure, with pictures:
http://www.petri.co.il/copy_user_profiles_in_windows_xp.htm

If you don't really need to copy anything from your profile, you could
just make her a new profile and then, from hers, delete yours.

 

[HeyBub]

I am giving my computer (running XP Pro, Media Center Edition, with
SP3) to my wife. I (Bob) have been the only user on the computer. Now she
will be the only user on the computer. So, I would prefer
that the user folder (with subfolders like "application data", "Local
Settings" and "My Documents" in it) be changed from "Bob" to "Steph".
I doubt that it is as easy as simply renaming that folder from Bob to
Steph, is it? If not, can somebody tell me the process I need to go
through to change it to her name. Thank you in advance. Bob

Let this be a lesson.

I always name my user profile as "Your Name Here" or somesuch.

Fruits (Banana, Okra, but not Apple) are okay, as are place names (Moscow,
Pflugerville, etc.).

Avoid names that invoke strong feelings of loyalty or antipathy (Obama,
Pepsi, Grey Poupon).

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I am giving my computer (running XP Pro, Media Center Edition, with SP3) to
my wife. I (Bob) have been the only user on the computer. Now she will be
the only user on the computer. So, I would prefer that the user folder
(with subfolders like "application data", "Local Settings" and "My
Documents" in it) be changed from "Bob" to "Steph". I doubt that it is as
easy as simply renaming that folder from Bob to Steph, is it? If not, can
somebody tell me the process I need to go through to change it to her name.
Thank you in advance. Bob

To fix the "Registered to" information for WinNT/2K/XP, you can use
Start > Run > Regedit.exe to edit:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\RegisteredOwner

and:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\RegisteredOrganization

How this will affect the name displayed in previously installed
applications will vary depending upon each individual program; some read
the registered owner information dynamically, while others read it only
during installation.

The user profile folders (C:\Documents and Settings\Username)
_cannot_ be renamed, without risky registry editing, even if the
associated user account has been. So, your best course of action would
be to log on using the built-in Administrator account, create a new user
account, with the username desired. Once you've logged in using this
new account (and transfered any data you need to preserve), you can then
delete the old user account(s).

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783

How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

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