Re: Is it possible to change the name of an user system folder?

On Tue, 19 Apr 2005 15:58:01 -0700, "Dangerous Novice" <Dangerous
Novice@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
microsoft.public.win2000.file_system:

>I inherited a new computer when an employee changed jobs. The PC was
>basically brand new. I changed his user account to my name successfully and
>have been using the system, however, the directory under MyDocuments is still
>his name. When I attempt to rename this directory I receive the following
>message. "xxxx is a Windows system folder and is required for Windows to
>run properly. It cannot be moved or renamed." Is there any workaround?

First, I would strongly recommend not not change it. I you renamed the
user account, Windows is working as designed (WAD) when it continues to
use the previous user's %USERPROFILE% directory.

If you want a %USERPROFILE% directory with your own name, create a new
account under your name (you have to undo the renaming first) and use
that. You can still copy files from the former employee's profile into
yours. To copy program settings, you could use a Profile Migration tool,
or copy the former employee's %USERPROFILE% to "Default User" before you
log in under your new name, but there lie problems, too.

If you really want to rename the former employee's %USERPROFILE% to your
name, you can try this:
Log in as the local PC's Administrator;
in the registry, change a key which looks like
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList\
S-1-5-xx-xxxxxxxxx-xxxxxxxxx-xxxxxxxxx-1xxx
where the name ProfileImagePath points to the old name: change that to
use your own name. Then rename the directory accordingly.

Proceed at your own risk.

PS: You write "the directory under MyDocuments is still his name". I
don't quite follow. The directory "My Documents" should be below his
name, not the other way round.

--
Michael Bednarek http://mbednarek.com/ "POST NO BILLS"
.

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