How to Rename User folder in Windows 11 (2023)

[@Julian-B]

5:30 renaming does not work for me. "The action can't be completed because the folder or a file in it is open in another program". Anyone knows what to do here?

[@philam8982]

Restart your laptop then go back to the temporary account and then try again

[@WonderbrewA13X]

@@philam8982 Dude! You really helped me a lot! I was worrying that I couldn’t rename it. Thanks a million!

[@AuthenticKale]

hope im not late but you have to sign out of the account you want to change the name of

[@maccc8479]

This guy just showed me how to wipe all my files

[@priyanshubhagat6002]

When I tried to log in back to my main profile system threw an error saying "C\Users\[Old_Folder_Name]\OneDrive\Desktop is unavailable. If the location is on this PC, make sure the device or drive is connected or the disc is inserted, and then try again. If the location is on a network, make sure you're connected to the network or Internet, and then try again. If the location still can't be found, it might have been moved or deleted." And all the files on the desktop are deleted. Also every time I refresh the desktop it throws the same error. Please provide a solution.

[@tookootek]

Hello Priyanshu, just re-login to your OneDrive again and the error should go away. Another way is go to the Search > "Edit the system environment Variable" then "Environment Variable" then in User Variables look for OneDrive. If it still uses the old username, just Edit it with the new one. It should resolve the issue.

[@priyanshubhagat6002]

@@tookootek Thank you...!! The issue was solved by the steps you provided 👍

[@anveshpoda]

​@@tookootek Same issue i checked the environment variables it's was proper with new Name and also i relogin the ondrive still same error. Please provide the solution

[@kuan-yuwey4400]

@@anveshpoda Same issue for me. Hope someone can provide another solution

[@kuan-yuwey4400]

@@anveshpoda I go to the OneDrive folder manually and login my account. When doing so, it seems to change the path itself - maybe you can try that!

[@johnriley215]

Great instruction and easy to understand. FYI: If you are trying to follow along with the video you should have it running on a separate video or phone because you will be logging in and out of the one you are working on to change the folder name. Thanks for the excellent help!!

[@lonamhammad6946]

5:31 I can’t rename the previous name it says it opens in another program but it’s not what shoud I do?

[@isaackodirov]

Same problem here

[@Deepakkumar-pm2kt]

not working - got error C:\Windows\System32>wmic useraccount get name,SID 'wmic' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

[@john_sb]

if you didnt end up fixing it wmic is in C:\Windows\System32\wbem so try that

[@marbenbetaizar746]

2024 September. Perfectly working. Thank you. Although I needed to relogin all my accounts(Facebook, Google, Yahoo and others), but all local files are all intact.

[@williamrucki9293]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I have been researching this for days and finally came across this video. It is the first time I have ever tried to do something this complicated and it actually worked. How in the world do you know how to do this? You have to have profound knowledge of the inner workings of the Windows beast.

[@TheAurelianProject]

When I try to log back into my main account I get an error that says “C:\Users\[my previous user folder name]\desktop is unavailable. If the location is on this PC, make sure the device or drive is connected or the disc is inserted, then try again” etc. What do I do?

[@tookootek]

Hello there! Just want to confirm if you renamed the ProfileImagePath using registry editor as well? You can rename it back however what i suggest is go to your desktop, create a temp file i.e temp.txt and then go to C:\Users\[New folder name]\Desktop and check if the temp.txt is there. If yes then it means Windows have no issue locating your current User folder. Is there any other indication if the error message is due to 3rd party software installed? thanks.

[@TheAurelianProject]

@@tookootek Yes I used the registry editor, I did everything as instructed in the video. Do I create the text file in the throwaway admin account or in my main account? The problem is that when I change the name, it simply doesn’t even let me into my main account and just gives me that error, so I can’t check if there’s any file there or not while in my main account. I don’t how to tell if it’s due to a third party software. I don’t have much installed on my computer right now other than webroot.

[@botirabduraimov518]

@@tookootek I can't even create a new .txt file, because pop up page has NEW+ button, but inside only Folder button with admin sign

[@priyanshubhagat6002]

@@tookootekWhile creating and saving the new text file, it says that the path does not exists, check the path and try again. C:\Users:\[Old_Folder_Name]\Desktop\temp.txt

[@TheAurelianProject]

@@tookootek Can you please answer my question from my previous comment

[@rahimshaik]

It frustrates me a lot...but it worked after several attempts 😀😀....thanks a lot ..

[@tookootek]

Welcome and Glad to hear that!

[@viktorryzhov6950]

All worked fine, thanks!

[@ian1352]

Just note that it isn't sufficient to edit ImageProfilePath, many parts of Windows and installed applications use the folder name as well instead of the environment variable pointing to the name. You'll have to edit all of these or your applications will be broken.

[@CyberHak]

Great. So what happens when you log back in? Everything is broken. You left out the most important part. How yo fix the broken OS after doing what you instructed.

[@Questium]

i followed each and every step and it worked, Thanks bro 🎊❤️

[@syamsihanif5985]

Works fine for me. Very helpful. Thanks!

[@DevCricket4]

It works for me thank you so much

[@koopaarne]

Good video everything worked for me and the instructoins where Nice and Easy to follow.

[@orangelevel2]

Please keep up the good work! Liked and subscribed!

[@vaibhavshandilya3620]

I followed the steps perfectly but I'm getting an error after doing this. Error is "C:\Users\shand\OneDrive\Desktop is unavailable. If the location is on this PC, make sure the device or drive is connected or the disc is inserted, and then try again. If the location is on a network, make sure you're connected to the network or Internet, and then try again. If the location still can't be found, it might have been moved or deleted" .. shand is my previous user name and I changed it by using your step but what to do with this error.. please help

[@tookootek]

Hello Vaibhav, please go to Environment Variable Setting and check if the One Drive path was change to the new username. Once you login to you OneDrive it should reestablish the connection.

[@nathanjamesbaker]

@@tookootek Thank you. This ended up being very complicated, but I followed all the steps in your video plus in your comments and was finally able to get it working. It is so stupid that Microsoft chooses folder names for people without their consent. This is enough to make me never want to use OneDrive.

[@LightslicerGP]

What folder directory was the setting ti rename the one drive folder? Edit: 6/25/23 I just went ahead and restarted the one drive process, but I still get that one drive popup

[@kamalsehairi1748]

Amazing ! Thanks for sharing

[@davidalx986]

Hello. After I closed the registry editor and I opened the user document and I tried to rename in the new name I got an error which is saying “the action can t be completed because the folder or a file in it is open in another program. close the program or file and try again”. What should I do? I don t know what it mean. I don t know where is possible to be open that folder or file 😅

[@tookootek]

Hello David! You need to logout the User account you are trying to rename. Once you log it out then you can try to rename again using the temp admin account you are using. It should solve the error, let me know otherwise.

[@equaco]

I had to restart the computer as well then it worked.

[@hectorab88]

I got the same error. I turn it off and restarted like 3 times until it works.

[@ae0nkd]

It is saying the folder is open i am logged in with my temporary account what do I do??

[@tookootek]

Hello! Just logout the User that you want to rename, it should work after that.

[@Frozeya1]

DO NOT do this. It wiped all my windows settings and it doesn’t recognize the user folder as the right one anymore. Plz save yourself from this trouble you cannot revert after (if you try using a restoring point it just gives an error). (even if you rename it back to the original name) Now my PC is just stuck on « Welcome » at the windows startup and i cant do anything.

[@alookas]

Hello I have a problem. I tried to change username but for some reason it doesn't want to update it. And when I reopen the User Accounts editing window, the name is back to the old one..

[@tookootek]

Hello Alokas were you able to complete the REGEDIT part as well?

[@alookas]

​@@tookootek Yes, I followed the steps in the video. But when I go to netplwiz and change username, it updates on the users list there but nowhere else. Then I reopen netplwiz and the name appears as the old one, though in Properties it's still the new name..

[@JackieSwisher]

hi hi, so i tried this and after i changed the folder name and the registry i logged back into my main account and it said [directory to old user folder name]/onedrive is not available and then when i hit "ok" on the error every single thing that was accessible goes away even the programs i have installed

[@tookootek]

Hi Jackie, can you please restart your machine and login back to your one drive. It should re establish the link to one drive.

[@Daniel-qo3gh]

Same problem

[@jakecrarey6719]

THIS is the correct way to do it, kudos friend.

[@NeerajKumar_NK8]

It is showing file is opened in another program when i try to rename in file explorer how to close it.

[@tookootek]

Hi Kumar, you need to logout the User you want to rename it. If possible, only the temp admin account is login when you do the rename.

[@NeerajKumar_NK8]

@@tookootek Thank you!

[@tookootek]

@@NeerajKumar_NK8 anytime! Thanks for watching!

[@QuantumReality]

Perfect. Good Stuff, No Fluff

[@Unsuriati]

My firfox extensions broke, and vencord required reinstallation. Firefox menu>help>more troubleshooting>refresh. Took the auto generated old profile data folder on the desktop and overwrote the new profile folder in appdata and presto all my extensions and browser data was back. Vencord i just keep the installer hanging about cuz it breaks every so often anyway, a quick uninstall/install had me going. All my games still had their saves with no work. Hope this helps.

[@stormshadow4926]

bro how you hide or remove user folder from desktop

[@tookootek]

Hello Storm, the default location is in C:\Users, can you confirm if the User folder you referring to is an actual copy or a shortcut? You can do Right click the folder icon then Properties and select/check Hidden. That should hide the folder unless you configure to show hidden folder or files.

[@justinmedina8700]

did all this step by step slowly. when i logged into the account with the changes everything was gone. so i just undid everything. not sure how some people got it to work and i wasn't able too

[@chisommuorah2990]

Great video, but I lost my desktop files after everything. To sort it out, in case you have the same issue; log into your one drive and change the folder to the new folder.

[@chisommuorah2990]

Or just go to desktop in file explorer right click and select properties, select location, change location and hit ok

[@JFHP.]

Thank You! Great solution to recover everything

[@Axel_133]

Can I rename the Onedrive account and change its path to match the new name? Or do I need to make a completely new Onedrive to achieve that?

[@cbdyna]

said I needed admin privileges and something was open. When I went back to the registry, the profile was renamed with a .bak on the end. So, had to switch user name back.

[@RonSkee]

hello, is this also applicable on Microsoft account signed in? thanks

[@tookootek]

Hello Ron, I have not tested it signed in. In theory it should work the same way only that there will be some warning about onedrive location before it sync up on the new name. You can manually set them in the environment variable setting as well if needed.

[@farhanafathema3775]

It says " the action can't be completed because the folder file in it is open in another program" And says " close the folder or file and try again" Please help me

[@tookootek]

Hello Farhana, please logout the user you would like to rename. You can perform the rename once you done that

[@c.comploj3775]

This does not work for me (I do not see the folder name changed from -admin- user). Then, when I sign out and in again to my original account, Windows tells me "We cannot sign in to your account. [...]" and invites me to sign out again because otherwise changes made will be lost

[@c.comploj3775]

Don't forget to also change the folder name directly

[@c.comploj3775]

After this, the new username works and is renamed in both regedit and folder. however, in wmic it still lists the old username after restarting the PC

[@snapbackk]

This helped! I was able to change the name of my user folder.

[@tookootek]

Glad to hear it!

[@wayne5613]

Thanks brother! Worked for me. ❤

[@ngdduc79]

Thank u so much, bro ;) It worked

[@KirazCherri]

Hello sir, for me folder name is changed but some of my data deleted. And when i am typed "whoami" in command prompt it is showing old username. Could you help me, Why it is like that & how to resolve it & how to restore my data sir

[@minix07]

Said that the user folder was not found. How do I make my account use the new one?

[@tookootek]

Hello Minix, did you try the steps laid out in the video? The User folder should be the same existing folder which you just rename in c:\Users\ and REGEDIT ProfileImagePath.

[@minix07]

@@tookootek yes I tried that. But my account is looking for the old account path.

[@tookootek]

Hello there @@minix07 - Can you restart your unit and login using the temporary admin. Recheck the c:\Users\ then same with the REGEDIT profileimagepath. Is the new name all alphanumeric?

[@minix07]

@@tookootek yes it is

[@TheAurelianProject]

@@tookootek Please continue this thread, I have the same problem, except my username isn’t alphanumeric

[@DHackerMe]

I did everything step-by-step, it worked for me no problem.

[@manishraj.07]

Did you lose any data?

[@DHackerMe]

@@manishraj.07 Nope, everything ok

[@burd7516]

Hi. Is it risky to do this, can i lose data with this and how? i have a non-english character in the folder and a launcher doesnt like it, thats why i want to name it. is it risky or should i just install the game onto my hdd rather than my m.2 and just deal with it?

[@RituSood12]

I had to reinstall my Windows due to some reason... This is safe, i have done this previously also... and I am gonna do it today as well :)

[@tookootek]

This will work however I recommend backup your data, that will give you peace of mind. Regardless of the result, you will always question it if you are unsure from the start. Nothing wrong with backup, just extra effort yet it give you assurance.

[@naseemr8907]

I can’t rename the folder it shows opened in somewhere

[@Dakh4r]

did you find the solution?

[@shinedits4751]

Restart the pc/laptop and then go to temporary account to again change it

[@paulonvula6495]

Worked perfectly! Thanks a million! The question is, why that specific folder doesn't though?

[@sapphiresky670]

Literally the best way to change the user folder name I've ever found!!! And I'm not even gonna lie.

[@RomanKnav]

Thanks! Worked for me

[@jesfolmer2876]

Can you somehow undo this? I can't acces anything that is stored locally like python and I can't uninstall them.

[@tookootek]

You can redo the steps, only this time you rename it back to the original. Ensure you do it in REGEDIT too. Check your environment variable as well if you are using OneDrive. Just retain your temp admin account, it should have all the privilege to do all this.

[@FarahMasri-o8m]

Hi! Will the path of the subfolders be disformed? Or cause an issue to the environment variables?

[@padmanav0373]

Followed everything. Atlast unable to rename the folder. Error was. The folder is running in background. Stopped all programs that was running in the background l. Still didn't work

[@tookootek]

Hello, did you logout the primary account you are trying to rename?

[@padmanav0373]

@@tookootek no.

[@tomahawk81]

Worked perfectly!! Many thanks 👍

[@yorakhunt447]

why did they change it from a simple right click and rename? or just let us choose the folder name in the first place.

[@agustinbarreca1277]

Hey mate, I followed all the steps and now I don’t have my previous user account working, just Admin. I can’t rename it. Plus I have a folder named Temp I can’t get rid off. This has just complicated my day. I would appreciate if you reached out to help me solve this issue.

[@WalmartFan0]

Hey! you probably fixed it by now but to forcefully rename it, go back on the admin account, go to the search bar and type "cmd" and click run. Change USERNAME to your current user folder name and change NEWUSERNAME in the new name and then type this command: ren "C:\users\USERNAME" NEWUSERNAME

[@L3eee]

why my user folder can't rename?

[@paulscott500]

Does this effect my log in details in outlook , onedrive etc?

[@tookootek]

Hi Paul, it will not affect it credential wise, I recommend you logout from those services before you do the rename and just login right after as you normally do.

[@suravi5457]

Do i need to update my junctions?

[@midgot]

Awesome vid!

[@ArivazhaganNagalingam]

Thanks, it really helped.

[@echospawn]

This solution is fantastic, but do you have a way to change all the software, etc.. to properly point to the newly named folder? They all error out. I was considering creating a second account and copying everything over but that will probably lead to even more issues :/ I was able to fully follow this video but in the end, 9 or so programs popped up with errors when I signed back in, plus all my windows settings/taskbar applications were reset. I easily fixed it by putting it back, but I was hoping you had a fix for this problem too.

[@tookootek]

Thanks Echospawn and your feedback is noted. Please check Environment variables and see there is/are any that still points to your old Username.

[@echospawn]

@@tookootek Is this something that has to be done with each error for each application? Or is this a fix for all at once? I am unfamiliar with environmental variables. This would be an amazing follow up video if you decide to do one. Until then, do you have any advice or potentially a suggestion as to where I can look to learn more about solving this?

[@ian1352]

There are numerous entries in the registry that you'll have to edit. I've done this before, but it is much easier to just use a tool to create a hard link to the folder name you'd prefer.

[@echospawn]

@ian1352 what do you mean a hardlink? And what software would u suggest? May end up just reformatinf again, lol..

[@SaifAli-zm6hx]

It worked for me, many thanks ❤

[@ahjin7229]

If you fuck up like me go to safe mode. Right click to windows button ,run ,search “regedit” ,do the same but rename to your old name, restart

[@InternetMiners]

I just subscribed.. it worked perfectly

[@Xmanxak]

Tnx bro. You are good teacher! Just keep going! Tnaks a lot

[@chedskiii]

Thank you it worked!

[@tookootek]

You're welcome!

[@interestingman5155]

I can rename now, but when I sign out and switch to my main account, it said "C:\Users\previous_name\OneDrive\Desktop is unavailable..." so it don't show File explorer or anything in my desktop, and when I use the command wmic useraccount get name,SID it still show the previous username

[@tookootek]

Hello there! did you complete the REGEDIT steps as well where you need to rename the ImageProfilePath? Your OneDrive should re-establish once you login to OneDrive again however first check in REGEDIT and make sure the path was renamed as well. Let me know. Thanks.

[@ian1352]

@@tookootek It doesn't find the new location. There are many more entries in the registry that have to be edited.

[@Vezek]

I am facing the same issue desktop is unavailable

[@hmmodi9052]

I love you man

[@mohamadaimanbinmohdsafian7528]

is it compulsory to backup my data before proceed to use your step?

[@tookootek]

Technical it is not, it just a precaution. Just create another admin user and transfer your data there. That will work as well. You do backup for peace of mind but not a requirement in anyway.

[@diaauz6576]

i lost my main account :( cant access it back again. can u create a video on how to do it

[@lonamhammad6946]

Well done thank you👏🏼👏🏼

[@debojyotisarkar72]

Nice video localboss ;-)

[@xmaria26]

Hi. I've followed this tutorial and it hasn't worked for me. In fact, it has failed and everything on my computer has been deleted. I followed all the steps but it said "the folder or file is open in another program". When trying to log in to my initial account, everything was the same as the new: no documents, nothing. I've lost everything I had. I need help, please. What has happened? Now both accounts are exactly the same and contain NOTHING in them.

[@tookootek]

Hello Maria, do you use One Drive? Can you please the Environment Variable if the path was still set to your initial account. The Rename does not delete your account. Please try to access them using your temporary Admin account. It should have privilege to open any folder you had in the initial account.

[@Revnge7Fold]

Thanks for the help!

[@tookootek]

Happy to help!

[@losangeles_bum]

Used your tutorial with multiple computers and works everytime! Thank you so much.

[@DaniAlbert]

My win stopped working

[@tookootek]

Hello Dani, can you share any error? In what step did you run into an issue? Have you tried logging in in your temp admin account? It will help others if we can identify the root cause of the issue you encounter.

[@DaniAlbert]

It happened once I restarted the computer. I couldn't sign in into my old account, and it just gave me a new account, and everything was deleted. I tried to log in into the admin account and changed the name back to the original, and after the 2nd restart, it gave me a blue screen saying something went wrong and can't be repaired

[@JasonfromMinnesota]

Great video

[@tookootek]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ranveer12]

The best and the most helpful video I've seen! Thank you so much ! you saved me♥️

[@tookootek]

Glad it helped!

[@Andrya.Lambert]

I found that the best way to do this, is to A. Do it on a clean reinstall of Windows 11, since the asshole demands a Microsoft account, B. have a Microsoft account with the NAME you want on your user folder, or C, do these steps AFTER a clean install and BEFORE adding your wanted software.

[@rerusha6044]

Thank you so much

[@Mr.Anukul]

Thanks sir... It's Work perfectly 👍

[@zeefutmadfut2237]

Does it

[@tookootek]

Welcome 👍

[@burgerguy123]

i cant login into my other account with other files now.

[@tookootek]

Hello There! What error you are getting? You should still be able to access your files as you have admin access in your temp account. Just look for your files under specific user in C:\Users

[@Tarugo2024]

Now! Can i delete my first user folder in local C? First i planned to rename but now i changed my mind i want to delete😅

[@tookootek]

Hello There Prince! What I suggest is to keep the folder for a least two weeks. That way you will know what you may miss to copy or install over on your new admin account. It is easy to delete however recovery is more of trouble sometimes.

[@iam_qwerty]

Thanks mate

[@mr_captain_86]

I followed all steps given by you but in user folder its showing only 5 letters of my name , i login with my microsoft account ,

[@tookootek]

Hello there! please confirm if you created a new local admin account (new user), then logout(existing user) and login next to the new admin account (new user) then rename the user folder of (existing user) in c:\Users then Regedit profileimagepath. Can you check if your existing user User Folder in c:\Users\ corresponds to Regedit ProfileImagePath.

[@mr_captain_86]

@@tookootek i did same but i lose my data , i logged microsoft account with mail and in user folder name is just starting 5 letter ,and windows 11 pro i using now

[@morrisonboamah9299]

Thanks so much champ

[@harakatizakilasiku7465]

U're the best

[@RivuYT]

Thanks a lot, very helpful

[@tookootek]

Glad it was helpful!

[@faisalbehzad]

I followed the same process but still the user folder can’t be renamed, it says : the folder or file is open in another program. Please help 😢

[@tookootek]

Hello Faisal, just logout your current user that you would like to rename and it should resolve the issue. The best way is after you created the temp admin account, you shutdown and login to that account only.

[@DaniAlbert]

Don't try it i lost everything

[@Tuann727]

did you try to revert the changes ?

[@khushipawar898]

Same

[@khushipawar898]

What is the solution

[@DaniAlbert]

@Tuann727 Yes, it didn't work i had to reinstall windows from scratch

[@DaniAlbert]

@khushipawar898 i installed windows again

[@rulozas]

Everything worked but when everything refreshed, half of my files disappeared

[@tookootek]

Hello Rimka, is there any specific location where your files was located? Could it be under OneDrive? If it is can you please check under Environment Variable the exact path set for your OneDrive. Usually it is under C:\Users\{Username}\OneDrive

[@yahya122a]

Thanks❤

[@samimkazemi1544]

Very nice 👍 thank you

[@tookootek]

Thank you too

[@wailibrahimhajjine4432]

Thank you 💚

[@tookootek]

Any time!

[@aryanmodh9083]

"The action can't be completed because the folder or a file in it is open in another program" error When i was trying to rename the account after completing all the process.

[@tookootek]

Hello Aryan, did you signed out your existing user before you do the rename using the new admin account?

[@c_imanuel]

Hi! Thanks for the tutorial. I've done all your steps but when I sign in with my "renamed account" all my installed software icon on taskbar are gone. I can still run them from Program files folder though.

[@tookootek]

Hi Christian, thanks! I did not encountered any similar issue however thanks for mentioning it, i will see if i can replicate the same issue and find out the root cause

[@CMongez]

Dit you fix it? The same happen to me

[@c_imanuel]

@@CMongez not yet. I haven't tried anything after I rolled back my account name. Just pretend I don't see the user folder LOL

[@kareemalh]

@@CMongezthe only way to fix this issue is my reverting it back to the original name, then you’ll be able to get all the installed stuff on there back again

[@shai.p]

I know it’s been months but for anyone who has this issue now - just pin anything to the taskbar, it will load back all the pinned apps there! (You can unpin what you’ve pinned after that) Hope it helps☺️

[@AnimeLN]

ty king

[@vishalraval396]

Location not found of desktop folder

[@tookootek]

Hi Vishal, what specific folder is that? Does it says OneDrive related?

[@vishalraval396]

@@tookootek yes my desktop folder was connected to onedrive in old folder name when I changed that name to new one it's showed location not found.

[@Samuel101]

This ruins the files. How to fix the problems after renaming?

[@javisammu5641]

@@Samuel101 i too lost all my files

[@javisammu5641]

Do you fix the problem

[@javisammu5641]

I too also lost all files

[@Samuel101]

@@javisammu5641 yeah i change the name to the old one.

[@MohammadIfam1]

Thank you

[@huyquoc3205]

Thank you very very much

[@tookootek]

You are welcome