Hi Alex Gustafsson,
Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A Forum!
It sounds like you accidentally renamed a critical system folder while changing your username, and now essential apps like Settings and the Start menu aren’t working. Windows relies on specific folder names for your user profile. When that name changes, the system can’t find the correct paths, causing apps and features to fail. Let me guide you through steps to fix it.
Step 1: Boot into Safe Mode
- From the login screen, hold Shift and click Restart.
- Go to Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings → Restart.
- Press 4 or F4 to start in Safe Mode.
Step 2: Restore the Original Folder Name
- Open
C:\Users\and rename the folder back to its original name. - If you’re unsure of the original name:
- Press Win + R, type regedit, and open Registry Editor.
- Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList - Find your profile SID and check the ProfileImagePath value. That’s the correct folder name.
Step 3: Update Registry or Create new local account if Needed
If the folder name is correct but apps still fail:
- Update
ProfileImagePathin the registry to match the actual folder name. - Restart your PC.
If the issues persist, consider creating a new local user account in Safe Mode with Command Prompt:
net user NewUserName NewPassword /add
net localgroup administrators NewUserName /add
- Restart and log in with the new account.
- Move your files from the old profile to the new one. I look forward to receiving your update. Let me know which solution works for you or if your problem persists and you need further assistance, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment". Thanks for your effort.
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