Windows 8 administrator username problem.

Hi. I have a new Windows 8 computer and during the beginning process where it's setup it asked for a username. I put in a name forgetting that there was another name I was going to use. Then when I got into Windows I realized that I wanted the computer name to be different. So I went to Start, Settings, PC settings and changed my login name to the other name I wanted to use. You need a windows account in Win8 and the account name seemed to be the computer name. So When I looked at the User folder the name had changed. However when I looked at the address the name hadn't changed. It said C:\Users\J*****\Downloads instead of C:\Users\E****\Downloads. I didn't know what to make of this. So I tried the instructions at this link: http://www.softwareok.com/?seite=faq-Windows-8&faq=21 However the Computer name was exactly what I wanted it to be (E*****) rather than the J***** I was trying to change it from meaning that there was nothing to change. I don't know how this can be. How can the computer's name be what I want it to be in the system properties and yet in the address bar it's not showing up that way? I need the computer to be configured that way because of my previous settings that I have to migrate over. I don't want to reformat the computer either because I have everything installed just the way I want it.


The instructions at this link didn't work at all: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/…unt-in-windows/ It said Windows cannot find secpol.msc. My computer is brand new and never has been used so I didn't understand this. How can I change the name so that it is truly changed and will show up in the address bar and not just as the name on the user folder? Thanks in advance for your help.

I have yet to see a Windows 8 system, let alone touched one, but, IMHO to have problems this early on, I would simply reset it to out of the box state, trying to rectify it could leave all sorts of problems waiting to jump up at some point, so although it's not something I would normally say without trying other things first, but given how you can't of been on there for a few hours at most maybe, to reset to out of the box stops anything from being out of place, and allows you to re-enter the details you do want to use, and with the minimum hassle, I wouldn't waste time this early on sorting "typo's" for want of a better phrase, more so as the 2 names (PC and User) are very deeply set, so not sure you could change to what you want anyway, not without creating a new account, but it's your call if you go this route, but it's certainly the easiest one this early in, hope it helps.

leader2,

Using correct terminology is always important, and even more so when learning to use systems that may be new to you.

In your post above, is it "possible" that when you refer to "windows account"; you are actually thinking about and referring to "Microsoft Account"?

In Windows 8, it is possible to have a "Microsoft Account" and also to have one or more "Local Accounts".

The Microsoft Account is intereactive with the internet and cloud services and settings.
When you log in with your Microsoft Account you will see the settings associated with your Microsoft Account.
You can use your Microsoft Account to login using another computer if it has Windows 8 installed, and not just your own computer.

With Windows 8 you can also create and use "Local Accounts" which are specific and functional only on the one machine where the Local Account was created.

Have a look here:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4842-…indows-8-a.html
__________________________

In your post above, you state that the instruction a BleepingComputers does not work, apparently because your computer cannot find secpol.msc

Not all versions of Windows 8 have the secpol.msc service.

What version of Windows 8 are you running?

Since your machine apparently does not have secpol.msc, you might be able to use the instructions at BleepingComputers listed as "Method 4" which employs a utility named renameuser.exe

Best Regards

leader2,

Using correct terminology is always important, and even more so when learning to use systems that may be new to you.

In your post above, is it "possible" that when you refer to "windows account"; you are actually thinking about and referring to "Microsoft Account"?

In Windows 8, it is possible to have a "Microsoft Account" and also to have one or more "Local Accounts".

The Microsoft Account is intereactive with the internet and cloud services and settings.
When you log in with your Microsoft Account you will see the settings associated with your Microsoft Account.
You can use your Microsoft Account to login using another computer if it has Windows 8 installed, and not just your own computer.

With Windows 8 you can also create and use "Local Accounts" which are specific and functional only on the one machine where the Local Account was created.

Have a look here:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4842-…indows-8-a.html
__________________________

In your post above, you state that the instruction a BleepingComputers does not work, apparently because your computer cannot find secpol.msc

Not all versions of Windows 8 have the secpol.msc service.

What version of Windows 8 are you running?

Since your machine apparently does not have secpol.msc, you might be able to use the instructions at BleepingComputers listed as "Method 4" which employs a utility named renameuser.exe

Best Regards

Sorry for my late reply Doug. I am having some comp issues and haven't got up and running yet. I am running Win 8 home premium. I tried the rename user exe file and used it as instructed. in the properties my computer's name showed as E***** despite what I told you about folder saying J*****. I tried the utility to rename and it gave me error messages when I tried to rename both from J***** to E****** and E****** to E******.

I am better understanding about the local account and Microsoft account. A technician showed me how to log in a a local account when I got the computer. In steps from your link I named the Local account E*****. So I always sign in with the local account. I guess my problem is that it didn't change the name of tolders to E*****. ie my issue of it being C:\Users\J*****\Downloads instead of C:\Users\E****\Downloads. The Users folder says E*****, but when I click the adress bar it still says C:\Users\J*****\ which isn't what I want at all. I can't migrate my settings over from my other machine which require username be E******. I am still at a loss as to how to change this and don't want to reformat the computer to change the name. Why is it showing up J***** instead of E***** when I named the local account E***** ? The rename user utility had error messages so I'm at a complete loss as to how to change the name. Is there anything else I can do?

I 2nd 8210Guy's suggestion. Reset to factory and start over again. Simpler, safer and guaranteed to work.

I 2nd 8210Guy's suggestion. Reset to factory and start over again. Simpler, safer and guaranteed to work.

Hi. Sorry it took me so long to post, but I had to get everything back online. Thanks for everyone's help. I decided to reformat and found after a couple attempts that the PC name will not affect that folder name at all. After I took care of the situation a Microsoft tech told me that the Local account determines the folder name for sync reasons if I remember correctly. So if you want that folder named the way you want it you must be careful in your setup of Win8 and do this.

1. Backup your hard drive and format your computer. A refresh will not do it. You can also backup your computer by tapping F11 when you restart your computer until you get to a screen with a troubleshooting option. You should be able to do a system recovery from there.

2.IMPORTANT! When naming your PC (At the PERSONALIZE screen where you pick your colors) do not name it what you want that folder name to be. Choose anything else but that. If the folder name will be cat, then choose dog. They cannot be the same according to how Microsoft made Win 8. I guess you can change the name to what you want by using the instructions in the original post with renaming by bleeping computer.

3. When it comes time to set up your account (At the Sign into your PC screen) Select sign in without a Microsoft account, Local account. THEN CHOOSE THE NAME YOU WANT THE FOLDER TO BE. It can 't be the same as the pc name. If you named the PC, Computer then it must be something else. DON'T FORGET TO DO THIS PROPERLY AND SPELL IT PROPERLY! IF YOU DON'T YOU WILL HAVE TO REFORMAT AND DO IT OVER.

4. Complete the setup process and you will be sent to your desktop. Once there click the folder icon in the taskbar and click Downloads. Then click in the address bar so you can see the path. If you did it correctly then you should see the proper name of the folder you want. ie if you wanted the folder name to be Home it should say C:\Users\Home\Downloads.


Basically the local account determines the true user folder name on your pc in spite of whatever you name your pc. If your previous settings are connected to this you will have to reformat and change them. I don't know why Microsoft did this, but they did. If you need to reformat in the future don't forget to name your computer this way so as to prevent anymore headaches with that folder like I had.

Let me know if this helps.

That has always been true as far as I know. The name you give an account is the name the folder will have under Documents and Settings (XP and previous) or under Users (Vista and newer). Not sure how this works if you use the Microsoft signing method as I have never gone that router. Still, a good set of instructions, especially step 3. Thanks for taking the time to post this. I think many people will benefit.

That has always been true as far as I know. The name you give an account is the name the folder will have under Documents and Settings (XP and previous) or under Users (Vista and newer).

Not sure how this works if you use the Microsoft signing method as I have never gone that router.

Still, a good set of instructions, especially step 3.

Thanks for taking the time to post this. I think many people will benefit.

Thanks for posting Ztruker. I understand what you are saying, but those rules applied to versions of windows BEFORE Win 8. Windows 8 is different in this as the tech at Microsoft told me that folder is tied to your account and for whatever reason they have set up in this OS that name will apply instead of the computer name. But I wouldn't advise anyone to sign in at first with their Microsoft account at that stage in the process. If my memory serves me correctly the computer was named after me since my name was on the account and the folder took on this name which I didn't want at all. I would advise everyone to sign in locally and then sign in with their microsoft account at the pc settings page once they are finished with the initial setup. You shouldn't have any problems if you do it that way.

Also I would advise everyone to keep these instructions in mind because whenever Win 9 or whatever new OS comes out it might be made the same way and I wouldn't want anyone to have to reformat their computer over this folder name issue if it is present in the new OS. I don't know what Microsoft will do with the new OS, but if they continue this trend you wouldn't be able to change the name unless you reformat and that should always be a last resort. Better to be safe than sorry.

I appreciate your saying this helps. To everyone else if this information helped you please do post here and let me know. Thanks.

Must be a "feecher" of using a MSN account to sign in then, as my account name (local sign in, no MSN) has no effect at all on the computer name. They are separate as they have always been.