How to change user folder name on Windows 11

To change the user folder name on Windows 11, you have to create a new local administrator account using the name as you want the user folder to appear from the “Other users” settings, transfer your files and settings from the old to the new account, delete the old account, and link your new account with your Microsoft account.
Alternatively, you can also rename the user folder through the Registry by updating the “ProfileImagePath” string with the new name and then changing the account folder name from the “Users” folder. If you want to use this option, you’ll have to use a secondary administrator account.

UPDATED 5/19/2024: On Windows 11, when you create a user account, the system also creates a folder to store the user’s data using the part of the account name. Although the folder name for the account is not relevant when using Windows 11 because the system assigns the name automatically, it may not be something everyone likes.

If you have to change the user profile folder name for some reason, Windows 11 includes at least two ways to complete the task. You can create a new local account using the name you want for the folder and transfer your data to the new profile. Or you can use the Registry to modify the settings and change the profile folder name (not recommended).

This guide will teach you the steps to change the user profile folder name on Windows 11.

Change folder profile name on Windows 11
Change folder profile name with Registry on Windows 11

Warning: It’s important to note that modifying the Windows Registry can cause serious problems if not used properly. It’s assumed you know what you’re doing and have created a full backup of your system before proceeding.

Change folder profile name on Windows 11

To rename the user profile folder on Windows 11, use these steps:

Open Settings on Windows 11.
Click on Accounts.
Click on the Other users page.
Click the Add account option.
Click the “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information” option.
Click the “Add a user without a Microsoft account” option.
Confirm the name of the account. (This name will become your new folder name.)
(Optional) Skip creating a password.
Click the Next button.
Select the newly created local account and click the “Change account type” button.
Choose the Administrator option in the “Account type” setting.
Click the OK button.
Sign out of the account.
Sign in to the new account.

Once you complete the steps, you will have an account with a new folder name.

The last thing to do is transfer your files to the new account. You can do this from “Users” using File Explorer. You may also need to reconfigure some of your settings in the new account (as required).

After transferring your files, you want to delete the old account and link your Microsoft account to the new account.

Delete old account

To delete an account on Windows 11, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Accounts.
Click on the Other users page.
Select the old created local account and click the Remove button.
Click the “Delete account and data” button.

Once you complete the steps, the old account will be deleted, and you can use the same Microsoft account to link it to the new account.

Link your Microsoft account

To convert the local account to a Microsoft account on Windows 11, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Accounts.
Click the Your info page.
Under the “Account settings” section, click the “Sign in with a Microsoft account” option.
Confirm your Microsoft account credentials.

Quick note: If you’re prompted to confirm the local account password, leave the field blank since the account doesn’t have a password.

After you complete the steps, you can start using your account using the proper folder name.

Change profile name with Registry on Windows 11

If you want to avoid creating a new account, transferring your files, and making other configurations, you may also be able to use the Registry to change the profile folder name. However, this is not recommended since you may experience unwanted behaviors.

To change the user profile folder name from Registry on Windows 11, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
Type the following command to enable the built-in Administrator account and press Enter:
```
net user "Administrator" /active:yes
```
Sign out of the account to change the folder name.
Sign in with the newly activated built-in Administrator account (you don’t need a password).
Open Start.
Search for Command Prompt and click the top result to open the app.
Type the following command to determine the Security Identifier (SID) of the account to change the profile folder name and press Enter:
```
wmic useraccount get name,SID
```
Open Start.
Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry.

Browse the following path:

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

Select the key showing the SID for the account to change the folder name.
Right-click the ProfileImagePath and select the Modify option.
Change the name for the user profile folder without altering the path.
Click the OK button.
Open File Explorer (Windows key + E).
Browse to the following path:
```
C:\Users
```
Right-click the folder profile and select the Rename option.
Confirm the name for the folder exactly as you typed in the Registry key and press Enter.
Click the Continue button.
Sign out of the built-in Administrator account.
Sign in to the modified account.
Open Start.
Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
Type the following command to deactivate the built-in Administrator account and press Enter:
```
net user "Administrator" /active:no
```

After completing the steps, the account will be reflected in the new folder name. If applications point to the profile folder, you might need to update their settings with the new path.

Update May 19, 2024: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.