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 rename the user profile folder through the Registry by updating the ProfileImagePath string with the new name, and then renaming the account folder inside the Users directory. However, this method requires using a secondary administrator account.

On Windows 11, every time you create a new account, the system automatically generates a profile folder to store personal files, settings, and app data using part of the account name. While the profile folder name does not affect how the operating system works, some users may prefer a different name for organizational or aesthetic reasons.

If you need to rename the user profile folder, Windows 11 offers a couple of ways to complete the task. The recommended approach is to create a new account with the desired name and transfer your files to the new profile. Alternatively, you can modify the ProfileImagePath entry in the Registry and manually rename the profile folder in the Users directory, though this method is more advanced and not officially recommended, as incorrect changes can break the account profile.

It’s important to note that at the time of this writing, Microsoft is working to update Windows’ initial setup process to allow users to choose the names of profile folders without workarounds.

In this guide, I’ll teach you the steps to change the user profile folder name on Windows 11.

Change folder profile name on Windows 11
Change user folder name with the Registry (advanced)
Pureinfotech’s Take

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, follow 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 that will also be your new profile 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 the “Users” folder using File Explorer. You may also need to reconfigure some of your settings in the new account (if applicable).

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, follow 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, follow these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Accounts.
Click the Your info page.
Click the “Sign in with a Microsoft account” option under the “Account settings” section.
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 user folder name with the Registry (advanced)

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, as you may encounter unwanted behavior that could negatively affect the account.

To change the user profile folder name from Registry on Windows 11, follow 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 of 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 it 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 reference the profile folder, you might need to update their settings to reflect the new path.

Pureinfotech’s Take

I still think creating a new account is the safest and cleanest way to change the user profile folder name on Windows 11, even if it feels like an unnecessary workaround in 2026. I’ve seen too many cases over the years where editing the Registry to rename a profile path ends up breaking app settings.

The interesting part here is that Microsoft finally appears to recognize this long-standing annoyance by working on changes to the setup experience that would let users choose the profile folder name upfront. Honestly, this should have been an option years ago. The operating system has evolved significantly in account management, but profile folder naming has remained oddly rigid since the early days of modern Windows accounts.

If you only care about aesthetics and your current setup is already working fine, I probably wouldn’t risk the Registry method unless you’re comfortable recovering from profile issues. However, if you’re setting up a new computer or reorganizing your accounts, creating a fresh profile with the correct folder name is absolutely the better approach.

Update May 25, 2026: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.

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