change username in windows 11

Question

how can i change the username in windows 11. this is the folder name under \Users .

Answer 1

To change the user folder name under C:\Users\ in Windows 11, you'll need to go beyond just changing the display name. Windows doesn't natively support renaming the user folder through normal settings because it can break system references. But you can do it manually, with care.

Make sure that before you begin

• Back up your data.
• You'll need to use a local administrator account (not the one you're renaming).

1. Create a new temporary admin account
2. Press Win + I → Accounts → Other users → Add account.
3. Choose "I don't have this person's sign-in information", then "Add a user without a Microsoft account".
4. Give it a name (e.g., TempAdmin) and assign a strong password.
5. Set the account type to Administrator.
6. Log in with the temporary admin account

• Log out of your main account.
• Log in with TempAdmin.

3. Rename the user folder
4. Go to C:\Users\ and rename the target folder to your desired name. Example: JohnDoe → JohnSmith.
5. Edit the registry
6. Press Win + R → type regedit → press Enter.
7. Navigate to:

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

8. Inside, you'll see several subkeys like S-1-5-21-.... Click each one and look at the ProfileImagePath string.
9. Find the one that points to the old folder name (e.g., C:\Users\JohnDoe).
10. Double-click ProfileImagePath and change it to the new path, e.g.:

       C:\Users\JohnSmith
    

11. Restart and log in with the renamed account

• Restart your PC.
• Log in with your original user account.
• Verify everything works correctly.

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hth

Marcin