how can i change my pc's user name ? ... [solved]

[vhelp]

solved - see post # 4

I was setting up a new hp laptop pc (windows 8.1) and used the wrong name and i'd like to change it before I image the laptop with macrium.

Thanks in advanced.

[wingnut2003]

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=change+computer+name+windows+8.1

[UpperCanada]

Open User Accounts, click the Start button Picture of the Start button, click Control Panel, click User Accounts and Family Safety, click User Accounts, and then click Change your account name. Administrator permission required If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Type the new name, and then click Change Name. Make sure you restart your computer after this for the changes to come into effect.



RegEdit Locations
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\AccountPicture
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Volatile Environment


Hope This Helps

[vhelp]

solved - successful name change.

thanks guys for your help, i got it. of course, restarting the computer would help in finalizing the name change. anyway. am finally imaging this laptop.

[vhelp]

hmm.. when i open a dos window via cmd.exe it comes up with my old user name

c:\Users\xyz>

[vhelp]

So even though the screen setup says 'change your user name' all it is really doing is creating an aesthetically new user name and account, complete with new folders, etc., under its own tree.

If I go to explorer it will show a new folder (with sub-folders) like this:

-> Desktop
   -> Homegroup
   -> pav              <---- this is the new user account name it aesthetically created.
   -> This PC
      -> 
      -> 
      -> Windows (C:)
         -> Users
            -> Default
            -> xyz     <---- this is the folder that should have changed to "pav".
            -> Public
   -> Libraries
   -> Network
   -> Control Panel 
   -> Recycle Bin

But that is not what I want to do. What an I do to change xyz to pav ? even when I open a dos window, it should open as c:\Users\pav>

[johns0]

What i do is just make a new user with the name you want and then login to the new account and erase your older account and folders,windows never change the user folders if you just rename the account,kind of a hassle to get your account name and user folder the same.

[vhelp]

i think that will be more confusing for me in the long run because this also affects software installations since program paths and other paths recall the original path names and user account name, thus, it defaults to the c:\Users\xyz user account. in the past, i tried to juggle folder names and what not like you suggest, but that just created other problems and made things worse. its a headache.

I wonder if this laptops have a factory reset switch, like on the android tablets. If I can't change the user account name, then maybe a factory reset is the ultimate solution. But i've never heard of that on a laptop before, even though this is a hybrid version, laptop / tablet.

mine is the HP Pavilion 11 x360 pc model 11-n010dx as a backup for work.

[johns0]

It's not confusing if you know how to redo user info for programs that require user serial number input,just input your serial codes and you are set.Doing a reset is even more work.

[vhelp]

Thanks for your suggestion. i think i understand where you're getting at, but i'm already logged into the new user account and deleting that folder and sub-folders inside it would mostly likely cause me unexpected trouble down the road, i'm sure. well, my luck is such. anyway. creating the new user account should have put 'pav' folder with the 'xyz' folder in that group, but it didn't. its way outside it. and since most installation programs regard that area for the original folder and even dos (cmd) console windw, i don't want to take a chance and do your suggestion. anyway.

I found this method to factory reset:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw5JRAv2-YM

But since changing the user account name is not a clean method as i would like, and since this is a brand new laptop and i only just initialized it yesterday for the first time, i'm going to go with the 'factory reset' option, and then get the system to where i like it to be, from an imaged point of view, and then re-image it, and then install my main application. I believe that is my best option.

[Cauptain]

No need this. Just download Profile Wizard and run it.

Its freeware and work with windows 7, 8 and 8.1

Create a wrong user but have perfect profile settings? No problem.

1 - Make a logon using ADMINISTRATOR account.
2 - Create a desired USER name (PAV ok?)
3 - Rename the old profile in C:\users\oldname to PAV
4 - Run PW, 4 clicks and enjoy.

Too easy.


Claudio

[vhelp]

too late, already factory reset and now re-initializing the laptop. thanks anyway...

[vhelp]

I am at the screen for setting up an account before the laptop finishes setting me up as the user.

I want complete control of this laptop and don't want to have to log in/out or whatever when/if it comes to that for some unknown reason to me. thus..

which is better: an MS Account or Local Account ?

[Cauptain]

I am at the screen for setting up an account before the laptop finishes setting me up as the user.

I want complete control of this laptop and don't want to have to log in/out or whatever when it/if it comes to that for some unknown reason to me. thus..

which is better: an MS Account or Local Account ?

MS account is mandatory to install any app from MS Store and Onedrive account.

My choice is local user only.



Claudio

[vhelp]

as it turns out, i have one set up already, but using my gmail account. I set that up on my Dell Venue 8 Pro tablet some time last year, maybe Oct. But i don't remember the pass word.

[vhelp]

hmm. maybe i should go with a new MS Account because i am writing apps for all platforms: Windows; Metro; Andoid; and iOS;

[Cauptain]

One tip: If you miss the START button, I recommend using the Classic Shell

I use this:



For me its essencial to work in W8/8.1



Claudio

[vhelp]

never mind. i set it up as local account, for pav. hopefully i got it right this time. i'll deal with the windows store when it comes time, which probably won't be for a long time from now. anyway. thanks to all for your suggestions, i really do appreciate it!

[vhelp]

yes, i do miss the start button. its very frustrating to not have the menu and programs list. thanks for the tip.

[vhelp]

i installed the Classic Shell add-on. works great! thanks.

just finished imaging it with all my personal tweaks and things.

[Cauptain]

i installed the Classic Shell add-on. works great! thanks.

just finished imaging it with all my personal tweaks and things.

You are welcome Vhelp. Good to know that.



Claudio

[vhelp]

So I screwed up my newest laptop the same way, but in windows 10. sheesh. So now I have two names, old and new, same situation as in post # 6 above. I'm too tired to go further. These things are just too complicated for me. I will probably just do a Reset and start over, tomorrow.