How to Rename a User Folder in Windows 11

When you first set up Windows 11, it automatically creates a user folder (usually under C:\Users\YourName). But sometimes, that folder name doesn’t match what you want. Maybe it’s a random abbreviation, your email ID, or even a misspelling. Unfortunately, Windows doesn’t let you simply right-click and rename the user folder — it’s more involved.

Don’t worry, though! In this guide, I’ll walk you through different safe methods to rename a user folder in Windows 11 step by step.

Why Rename a User Folder?

Here are a few common reasons:

You want your actual name instead of a shortened one.
The folder name looks messy (e.g., user123 instead of John).
You’re reorganizing accounts and want consistency.
You just like things neat and tidy.

⚠️ Important Warning Before You Start

Renaming the user folder incorrectly can break apps, cause login issues, or mess up file paths. Always:

Back up important files before making changes.
Create a system restore point for safety.

Method 1: Rename User Folder Using a New Local Admin Account (Recommended)

This is the cleanest way to rename your user folder without issues.

Step 1: Create a New Local Admin Account

Press Win + I to open Settings.
Go to Accounts → Family & other users.
Under Other users, click Add account.
Choose I don’t have this person’s sign-in info → Add a user without a Microsoft account.
Enter a temporary username (e.g., AdminTemp) and set a password.

Step 2: Give Admin Rights

Go back to Family & other users.
Select the new account → Change account type.
Set it to Administrator.

Step 3: Log Into the New Admin Account

Sign out of your main account and log into the new admin account.

Step 4: Rename the User Folder

Open File Explorer → go to C:\Users.
Find your old user folder.
Right-click → Rename → enter the new name you want.

Step 5: Update Registry Path

Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
Inside, you’ll see multiple long SIDs (e.g., S-1-5-21-...).
Click each one and check the ProfileImagePath entry.
When you find your old folder name, double-click ProfileImagePath and change it to the new folder path.

Step 6: Restart and Log Back In

Restart your PC, log back into your main account, and your user folder should now have the new name.

Method 2: Rename User Folder with Netplwiz (Advanced Users)

This method changes the account name and ties it to a new folder name.

Step 1: Run Netplwiz

Press Win + R, type netplwiz, and hit Enter.
Select your account → click Properties.
Change the User name and click OK.

Step 2: Rename User Folder

Log into another admin account (or create one as in Method 1).
Go to C:\Users and rename your user folder.

Step 3: Update Registry Path

Same as in Step 5 of Method 1 (edit ProfileImagePath).

Method 3: Create a New Account and Transfer Files (Safest Option)

If you’re nervous about editing the registry, this method avoids it.

Create a new local or Microsoft account with the correct name.
Give it Administrator rights.
Log into the new account.
Manually copy your files (Documents, Downloads, Pictures, etc.) from the old user folder.
Once everything is moved, delete the old account.

This takes longer, but it’s the safest way with minimal risk.

Method 4: Rename User Profile via Command Prompt (For Power Users)

You can also use command-line tools to rename a user folder.

Steps:

Create a temporary admin account.
Log in as the temp admin.
Open Command Prompt (Admin).
Use this command:

wmic useraccount where name='OldName' rename 'NewName'
Rename the folder manually in C:\Users.
Update registry paths as in Method 1.

Things to Avoid

Don’t rename the folder while logged into that account → It will break Windows.
Don’t skip the registry edit step if you rename manually.
Don’t delete registry keys unless you’re sure — it could corrupt your profile.

Conclusion

Renaming a user folder in Windows 11 isn’t as simple as a right-click → rename, but it’s absolutely doable. The safest way is to use a new admin account, rename the folder, and update the registry. If you’re not comfortable editing the registry, the best alternative is to create a new account and move your files.

Take your time, follow the steps carefully, and you’ll have a cleanly renamed user folder without breaking your system.

FAQs

Q1: Can I just rename the user folder directly?
No, doing so without updating the registry will cause errors and may prevent you from logging in.

Q2: Will renaming the user folder affect my apps?
If done correctly, no. But if paths are broken, some apps might need to be reinstalled.

Q3: Is it safer to make a new account instead?
Yes, creating a new account and moving files is the safest method if you want zero risk.

Q4: Do I need admin rights to rename a user folder?
Yes, you must be logged into a different administrator account.

Q5: Can I rename a Microsoft account user folder?
Yes, but the process is the same — rename the folder + update registry path, or create a new account with the correct name.

How to Rename a User Folder in Windows 11 — A Step-by-Step Guide