XPhome vs username

[JoeM]

Is there no way to set the username for a user in XP home? "Users and
Groups" is not available under "Computer Management". All I'm finding is
the bonehead UI for setting up and "managing" users, under control panel???
I can change the display name, but that apparently doesn't set the username
(like right clicking / Rename of the user in "users and groups"). I'm
assuming that the username is wrong since I'm not able to get onto nor view
the network workgroup.

Help?

 

[Gordon]

Is there no way to set the username for a user in XP home? "Users and
Groups" is not available under "Computer Management". All I'm
finding is the bonehead UI for setting up and "managing" users, under
control panel??? I can change the display name, but that apparently
doesn't set the username (like right clicking / Rename of the user in
"users and groups"). I'm assuming that the username is wrong since
I'm not able to get onto nor view the network workgroup.

Help?

The display name usually IS the "username".........in other words if I
create a user with the name "gordon" then that is both what is displayed as
the User and is also the username, ie the account name. AFAIK XP doesn't
have separate usernames and display names, unlike Unix/Linux.

 

[JoeM]

Look under Users and Groups in XP Pro. There is a name column and a full
name column. Full name is what displays on the logon menu, name is what is
used for the logon name. Either can be renamed.

In xp home, you dn't have this option. I believe what is happening si that
I rename the user and the full name gets changed, but the original username
portion remains the same??

 

[Malke]

Look under Users and Groups in XP Pro. There is a name column and a
full
name column. Full name is what displays on the logon menu, name is
what is
used for the logon name. Either can be renamed.

In xp home, you dn't have this option. I believe what is happening si
that I rename the user and the full name gets changed, but the
original username portion remains the same??

Actually, Joe I believe we may have user error here and not a "bonehead"
operating system function. Please do correct me if I've misinterpreted
your post, but it sounds like you are trying to simply rename a user
account. You cannot do this; only the display name will be changed and
all the actual account files/folders will remain the same as the
originally-created account.

Instead, what you should do is create a new user account with the name
you would prefer and then copy the old user account to it. You will
need to log into the new user account once before you can copy to it.
Here is a link explaining the process:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=811151

If I have misinterpreted your end goal, please post back with what you
would really like to do.

Malke

 

[JoeM]

That is what I want to do - in XP pro you don't have to go through this.
you simply rename the username, the display name stays the same and the
account profile doesn't need to be copied.

So, the User setup in Home is actually bonehead, in that it is simplifying
the interface by hiding or removing this functionality. So, user error? I
don't think so - I'm looking to see if there is no way other than copynig
the desktop, and other user settings to a new account. Apparently there is
not. I wish they had not purchased XP home, and now know to require, or
strongly suggest, my other customers to do the same.

maybe the 'bonehead' term was un-P.C., how about 'simplistic' instead? =)

 

[Malke]

That is what I want to do - in XP pro you don't have to go through
this. you simply rename the username, the display name stays the same
and the account profile doesn't need to be copied.

So, the User setup in Home is actually bonehead, in that it is
simplifying
the interface by hiding or removing this functionality. So, user
error? I don't think so - I'm looking to see if there is no way other
than copynig
the desktop, and other user settings to a new account. Apparently
there is
not. I wish they had not purchased XP home, and now know to require,
or strongly suggest, my other customers to do the same.

maybe the 'bonehead' term was un-P.C., how about 'simplistic' instead?
=)

Well, I don't care what you call it. I don't like XP Home and all my
Windows machines are Pro except for the kid's laptop. And as you can
see, I am not using either here.

If you need the functionality of Pro, upgrade. Or use another operating
system that handles permissions more to your liking.

Malke

 

[Guest]

go to start.. run.. and type in "control userpasswords2" without the quotes.
you can do it there.

 

[JoeM]

Hey, thats great!!! Didn't know that existed. I did it here from my XPpro
laptop, hopefully it will work on her XP Home system too. Thanks!

 

[Guest]

a lot of people don't know that it exists. if you ever need to make changes
the administrator account, that is the only way to do it.