How to rename my user folder in windows 11

If you’ve recently upgraded to Windows 11, you may have noticed that your user folder is now named after your Microsoft account username. While this may not be an issue for some, others may prefer to have a different name for their user folder. In this article, we will discuss how to rename your user folder in Windows 11.

Why Rename Your User Folder?

There are a few reasons why you may want to rename your user folder in Windows 11. One of the main reasons is for personalization. Having a user folder with your preferred name can make your computer feel more personalized and unique. Additionally, if you share your computer with others, having a different user folder name can help keep your files and settings separate from theirs.

Step 1: Create a New Local Account

Before you can rename your user folder, you will need to create a new local account on your computer. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
2. Under “Other users,” click on “Add account.”
3. Select “Local account” and follow the prompts to create a new account.

Step 2: Sign in to the New Account

Once you have created the new local account, sign out of your current account and sign in to the new account. This will create a new user folder with the name of the local account.

Step 3: Copy Files from Old User Folder

Now that you have a new user folder, you will need to transfer your files from the old user folder to the new one. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the old user folder (usually located in C:\Users).
2. Select all the files and folders in the old user folder and copy them.
3. Navigate to the new user folder (usually located in C:\Users) and paste the files and folders.

Step 4: Delete Old User Folder

Once you have successfully transferred all your files to the new user folder, you can delete the old one. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the old user folder (usually located in C:\Users).
2. Right-click on the folder and select “Delete.”
3. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

Step 5: Rename New User Folder

Now that you have successfully transferred your files and deleted the old user folder, you can rename the new user folder to your preferred name. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type in the following command: ren C:\Users\NewUserName OldUserName (replace “NewUserName” with your preferred name and “OldUserName” with the current name of the new user folder).
3. Press Enter and the new user folder will be renamed.

Step 6: Sign in to Your Microsoft Account

Finally, you can sign back in to your Microsoft account. This will create a new user folder with the name you have chosen.

Conclusion

Renaming your user folder in Windows 11 may seem like a daunting task, but by following these steps, you can easily personalize your computer and keep your files and settings organized. Have you renamed your user folder in Windows 11? Let us know in the comments.