How to set user folder name during OOBE on Windows 11

Windows 11 now supports setting a custom user folder name during Out-Of-Box Experience.
Open a command prompt (Shift + F10), run cd oobe then SetDefaultUserFolder.cmd YourName, before finalizing setup.
This eliminates the need for additional steps, such as switching to a local account or using the Registry.

On Windows 11, it’s now possible to specify the folder name for the account during the Out-of-box Experience (OOBE), and in this guide, I’ll show you the steps to complete this configuration.

Up until now, during the initial setup, when creating a new account, the system would use part of your Microsoft account email address to configure your profile folder name, which is the folder inside the “Users” folder where the system configures all the default locations (such as Desktop, Downloads, Pictures, etc.), and even though is quick and convenient, it wasn’t an ideal solution.

One workaround to this problem was to set up Windows 11 with a local account, as you could specify the folder name by using a custom account name. However, Microsoft has now blocked all the most popular bypasses to create a local account during setup, so users can’t use this approach.

Other tricks you can use include creating a new local account from the desktop using the name you want for the folder and then transferring your data to the new account. Alternatively, you can also modify the Registry, but it can cause issues if you don’t do it correctly.

However, starting on Windows 11 builds 26220.6772 and 26120.6772 (KB5065797), you can use a special command to set your preferred account folder name during the initial setup.

In this guide, I’ll outline the steps to set a custom folder name during the Out-of-box Experience on Windows 11.

Assign a custom folder name for your account on Windows 11

To assign a custom name to your account folder during the Out-of-box Experience on Windows 11, follow these steps:

Open Command Prompt using the “Shift + F10” keyboard shortcut on the “Unlock your Microsoft” sign-in page.
Type the following command to open the OOBE directory and press Enter:
```
cd oobe
```
Type the following command to assign the new name for the account folder and press Enter:
```
SetDefaultUserFolder.cmd YOUR-FOLDER-NAME
```
In the command, replace “YOUR-FOLDER-NAME” with the actual name you want to use. For example, SetDefaultUserFolder.cmd Pureinfotech.
Confirm the name is valid and the process has completed successfully.
Click the Close button to exit Command Prompt.
Click the Sign-in button.
Continue with the on-screen directions to complete the setup.

Once you complete the steps, the system will apply the name you want. You can confirm the folder name on C:\Users.

It’s important to note that this feature can only be accessed through the Command Prompt. In the feature, Microsoft may end up adding a screen in the setup to avoid commands.

FAQs about setting the user folder name

Here’s a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers regarding the option to configure a custom user folder name.

Can I change the folder name later through commands?

No. This only works during OOBE setup. Post-setup changes require Registry (not recommended) or system tweaks.

Will this let me skip the Microsoft account requirement?

No. The method still requires you to sign in with a Microsoft Account and Internet connectivity to finalize the setup.

What if I type a name with special characters?

When assigning a custom name to the account folder, it’s a good practice to keep it short, descriptive, and avoid using special characters and long names.

Does this also rename older user accounts?

No. It only applies to new accounts created during setup.