How to Change User File Name on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Did you create your Windows 11 account long ago and now wish your user folder name matched your current username or profile? You’re not alone. Many users realize too late that their user folder (the one under *C:\Users*) doesn’t reflect their preferred name — especially if they used a Microsoft account or made a typo during setup.

Changing the user file name on Windows 11 may sound simple, but it’s not as straightforward as renaming any other folder. The user profile folder is deeply tied to system settings, registry entries, and permissions — so changing it incorrectly can cause login or data issues.

But don’t worry — in this guide, we’ll show you safe, step-by-step methods to rename your user folder and update your account name correctly, without breaking anything.

Why You Might Want to Change Your User File Name

There are several valid reasons to change your user folder name or account name on Windows 11:

• 🧑‍💻 You entered the wrong name during setup.

• 💼 You want your profile to look more professional.

• 👩‍👧 You’re sharing your PC and want user folders labeled properly.

• 🔄 You switched from a local account to a Microsoft account (or vice versa) and the folder didn’t update.

• 🧠 You’re organizing or cleaning up system profiles.

No matter the reason, the goal is the same — you want the folder under C:\Users to match your new or preferred username.

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🧱 Understanding the Difference Between Account Name and User Folder Name

Before proceeding, it’s crucial to understand the distinction between two related — but separate — elements:

Changing your display name (what you see when logging in) does not automatically rename your user folder. For that, a deeper system change is needed — and that’s what we’ll guide you through below.

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⚠️ Important Warning Before You Begin

Renaming the user folder incorrectly can lead to login failures, missing files, or broken shortcuts.

👉 Before you start:

1. Back up your data (Documents, Desktop, Pictures, etc.).

2. Create a system restore point.

   • Press Windows + R, type SystemPropertiesProtection, and press Enter.

   • Choose your main drive → click Create → name it something like Before_User_Rename.

3. Make sure you’re logged in as an administrator (or use another admin account).

Once you’re backed up, you’re safe to proceed.

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🧭 Method 1: Change Display Name via Settings or Control Panel

If you only want to change how your name appears (not the actual folder path), this is the easiest and safest method.

✅ Change Microsoft Account Display Name (Online)

1. Go to https://account.microsoft.com.

2. Sign in with your Microsoft account.

3. Click Your Info.

4. Choose Edit name.

5. Enter your new First name and Last name, then click Save.

6. Restart your PC or sign out → sign back in.

Your new display name should appear on the login screen and Start menu.

✅ Change Local Account Name via Control Panel

1. Press Windows + R, type control, and press Enter.

2. Go to User Accounts > User Accounts > Change your account name.

3. Type your new name and click Change Name.

4. Restart your PC.

Your display name will now appear updated — but the C:\Users folder name will stay the same.

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🧩 Method 2: Rename User Folder in C:\Users (Advanced Method)

If you need the actual folder name changed (e.g., C:\Users\John → C:\Users\Jonathan), follow these steps carefully.

⚙️ Steps:

1. Sign in with a different Administrator account.
   You can’t rename a folder for the account you’re currently using.

   • If you don’t have another admin account:

     • Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add account.

     • Create a new local administrator account.

2. Log in with the new admin account.

3. Navigate to:
   C:\Users

4. Right-click the old user folder and choose Rename.

   • Change it to your preferred name (e.g., from John to Jonathan).

5. Open Registry Editor:

   • Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

6. Navigate to:

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


7. In each subkey (like S-1-5-21-...), look for the one with ProfileImagePath that matches your old username.

8. Double-click ProfileImagePath and change the path to your new folder name:

   C:\Users\Jonathan


9. Close Registry Editor and restart your PC.

10. Log back into your original account and confirm:

    • All files are accessible.

    • The folder path is updated.

✅ You’ve successfully changed your user file name.

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👤 Method 3: Create a New Account with the Correct Name

If you want to avoid registry edits, this is the safest alternative.

Steps:

1. Open Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.

2. Click Add account → choose I don’t have this person’s sign-in information → Add a user without a Microsoft account.

3. Enter your preferred username (this becomes the new folder name).

4. Click Next, then go to the new user → Change account type → set to Administrator.

5. Log out and log into your new account.

6. Copy your data from the old account:

   • Go to C:\Users\OldName

   • Copy folders like Documents, Pictures, Desktop, etc.

   • Paste them into your new user folder.

7. Once confirmed, delete the old user account from:

   • Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Remove.

This method ensures a clean, error-free transition.

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🧰 Method 4: Change Account Name Using netplwiz

This tool allows quick renaming of local accounts without diving into registry edits.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R, type netplwiz, and hit Enter.

2. Select your user account and click Properties.

3. Under the General tab, change your User name and Full name.

4. Click Apply → OK.

5. Restart your computer.

Your new name will appear on the login screen, though your user folder path remains unchanged.

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🧑‍💼 Method 5: Change User Profile Name via Local Users and Groups (Pro/Enterprise)

Available in Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise editions.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R, type lusrmgr.msc, and press Enter.

2. In the left pane, click Users.

3. Right-click your username → select Rename.

4. Type the new name and press Enter.

This updates your account display name — but, again, not the folder name.

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🧬 Method 6: Update User Profile Path in Registry (For Advanced Users)

If your profile folder is already renamed but Windows still points to the old one, update the path manually.

Steps:

1. Open Registry Editor (regedit).

2. Go to:

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


3. Find your profile’s key (look for the ProfileImagePath pointing to your old username).

4. Double-click it and replace the old path with the new one.

5. Close Registry Editor and restart your computer.

This ensures all system references match your new folder name.

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🌐 Bonus Tip: Change Microsoft Account Name Online

Your Microsoft account name also affects what appears on Windows.

1. Visit https://account.microsoft.com.

2. Click Your Info → Edit name.

3. Enter your desired name → click Save.

4. Restart or sign out → sign back in to see changes.

This won’t rename your folder, but it aligns your online and system profiles.

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✅ How to Verify the Change Worked

After completing any method, confirm that:

• Your folder under C:\Users shows the new name.

• You can open and access your files normally.

• The registry path (ProfileImagePath) points to the correct directory.

• No “missing profile” or “temporary user” errors appear.

If all checks pass, your rename was successful.

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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

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🧯 Troubleshooting: What If Something Goes Wrong?

If you encounter issues like:

• Can’t log in

• “User profile cannot be loaded”

• Missing files

Try these fixes:

1. Boot into Safe Mode and rename folders back.

2. Restore using the System Restore Point you created earlier.

3. Log into the alternate admin account and undo changes.

4. Use System File Checker:

   sfc /scannow


These steps can revert damage and restore functionality.

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🏁 Conclusion

Changing your user file name on Windows 11 isn’t as simple as right-clicking “Rename,” but with the right method, it’s completely doable.

If you just want your login name to look different — use Settings, Control Panel, or netplwiz.
If you want the actual folder name to change — use the alternate admin account + registry method or create a new user altogether.

Remember: always back up first, take it slow, and double-check every step. Once done, you’ll have a neat, properly named profile that reflects exactly who you are.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I rename my user folder directly in C:\Users?

Not safely. You must first log in with another admin account or risk breaking your profile.

2. Will changing my user name affect installed programs?

Usually no — but programs that rely on old path references (like C:\Users\OldName) may need to be reconfigured.

3. Can I change both Microsoft and local account names?

Yes. Microsoft account names change online, while local account names are edited through Control Panel or netplwiz.

4. Why can’t I find lusrmgr.msc on my PC?

It’s available only in Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise editions — not in Home.

5. What’s the safest way to change my user file name?

Create a new admin account with the correct name, move your files, then delete the old one. It’s clean and risk-free.

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🧾 Key Takeaways

• Your display name and user folder name are different.

• Changing display name: Use Settings or Control Panel.

• Renaming folder: Requires admin privileges and registry edit.

• Always back up your data before making changes.

• Safest route? Create a new account with your preferred name.