Is it possible to rename the admin name?

[Guest]

I bought a notebook from a friend and when they set up XP, they just typed in
a bunch of letters for the user name when setting up XP. When I try to rename
the folders, I'm prompted that the folder is a system folder and cannot be
renamed or deleted. How can I fix this?
Thank you!

 

[Bob I]

By creating A NEW user profile to use. See Users and Passwords in
Control Panel.

 

[Rock]

I bought a notebook from a friend and when they set up XP, they just typed in
a bunch of letters for the user name when setting up XP. When I try to rename
the folders, I'm prompted that the folder is a system folder and cannot be
renamed or deleted. How can I fix this?
Thank you!

You can't rename the folders, just the user name. One option is to
create another user with admin rights, then copy over the information
from the original profile, then delete the original user.

How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811151

How to Copy a User Profile
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/win_xp_logon.htm

 

[Steve N.]

You can't rename the folders, just the user name. One option is to
create another user with admin rights, then copy over the information
from the original profile, then delete the original user.

How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811151

How to Copy a User Profile
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/win_xp_logon.htm

Both articles are missing important steps. Besides, the MS article is
specifically for copying a corrupted user profile.

Here's how I do it:

Login with admin rights and create the new user.
Login as the new user.
Login with admin rights again but NOT as the new user OR the user you
want to copy the profile from.
Open My Computer, Tools, Folder Options, View, mark to show hidden files
and uncheck Hide protected operating system files. Close My Computer window.
Right click on My Computer, Properties, Advanced tab, User Profiles
button select the user you want to copy the profile from, click Copy to
button, browse to C:\Documents and Settings\[Name of new user you
created], click copy.
Login as the new user.

Steve

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I bought a notebook from a friend and when they set up XP, they just typed in
a bunch of letters for the user name when setting up XP. When I try to rename
the folders, I'm prompted that the folder is a system folder and cannot be
renamed or deleted. How can I fix this?
Thank you!

With second-hand computers, especially if acquired from strangers
but perhaps even if acquired from a family member, your wisest course
of action would probably be to format the hard drives and start fresh.
You don't want to get in trouble because the original owner may have
filled the hard drive with kiddie porn, or have problems because the
original owner downloaded/installed viruses or other malware.

However, 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, 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. 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:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH