How-To

How to Change Your User Folder Name in Windows 11

By Ben Stockton

Updated April 12, 2024

If you made a mistake (or you fancy a change), you can rename your Windows 11 user folder name. This guide explains how.

Your user folder name might seem unimportant, but it’s actually a big deal.

Every file path to files in your Documents, Downloads, or Desktop folders references it. If you made a silly username or created a username with a typo, you might want to change it. You might even be looking to change it for privacy reasons, switching to a user folder name that doesn’t reference your name.

Whatever your reasoning is, changing your user folder name on Windows 11 isn’t as straightforward as changing your account name, but it’s still possible. To change your user folder name in Windows 11, follow the steps below.

Why Should You Change Your User Folder Name in Windows?

Your user folder name is the name of the folder that contains your personal files and settings on Windows 11. It’s usually based on your Microsoft account name or local account name when you first set up your PC. However, changing your account name automatically doesn’t change your user folder name.

This can cause problems if you want to keep your user folder name consistent with your account name. For example, if you share your PC with others, they might see your old user folder name. If you use programs or shortcuts that rely on the user folder path, they might not work correctly if the path changes.

There are two main methods to change your user folder name on Windows 11. The first involves renaming the account via File Explorer, while the second involves changing the Windows Registry.

Both methods contain some level of risk to your system integrity. Ensure you back up your data and create a system restore point before proceeding.

How to Rename Your User Folder on Windows 11

The quickest way to rename your user folder on Windows 11 is to create a new local account and use that account to help you rename your folder. That’s because you cannot rename a user folder for a user profile you’re actively using. Once you create the new account, you’ll be able to rename your original account’s home folder and specify it correctly in the Windows registry. Just follow these steps precisely.

Create a New Local Account

1. Open the Settings app via the Start menu.
   
2. In Settings, go to Accounts > Family & other users > Add account.
   
3. Choose I don’t have this person’s sign-in information and then Add a user without a Microsoft account.
   
4. Enter a new username and password for the new local account and click Next.
5. Beside the name of the account you just created, click Change account type and choose Administrator.
6. Sign out of your current account and sign in to the new local account.
7. Open File Explorer and go to C:\Users folder.
8. Right-click on your original user folder and go to Show more options > Rename.
   
9. Enter a new name for your user folder and press Enter.

Next, you’ll need to change the account’s folder settings in the Windows Registry.

Changing the User Folder Name in Windows 11 Using the Registry Editor

Now that you’ve renamed the folder, you need to use the Registry Editor to tell Windows about the change. Any steps involving the Registry contain risk, so you should back up your Registry before proceeding.

1. To open the Registry Editor, press Windows + R, type regedit, and click Run.
   
2. In the Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList.
3. Find the subkey that matches your original user profile by looking at the ProfileImagePath value on the right pane.
4. Double-click ProfileImagePath and change its value data to match the new name of your user folder (for example, C:\Users\NewName).
   
5. Close the Registry Editor.
6. Sign out of the Administrator account and sign back into your original account.

Once you’ve renamed your old user profile, you can delete the spare account you created.

Managing Your User Profile on Windows 11

Changing or renaming your user folder name on Windows 11 can be tricky, but thanks to the steps above, it isn’t impossible (as long as you follow these methods carefully). Remember to back up your data before making any changes, just in case something goes wrong.