Windows 10: Sorting out my users/folders

I am totally new to Windows until I got Windows 10 maybe 1 month ago. I've done quite some research on my problem. But still confused.

When I got my new computer, it had Windows 10 Pro installed. There was 1 user, Administrator, which goes to the folder \Users\x. I have successfully changed the name to something more appropriate, my name, and I'm using this user to login to microsoft.com.

What I want to do is rename the directory \Users\x to \Users\MyName. I understand that I cannot just rename this folder, as it would probably lead to a broken system, and I firstly need to create another Administrator Account. Which I've done. So I now have 2 administrator accounts basically with the 1st Administrator being my name which logs into with Microsoft.com and uses folder \Users\x, and the 2nd Administrator being a short version of my name using \Users\MyShortName, which doesn't login to Microsoft.com

But from there I get confused. I still need to rename \Users\x which I'm not supposed to do. Is this now as simple as copying everything under \Users\x to \Users\MyShortName ,making this my microsoft account and deleting \Users\x and Adminstrator 1. Also can I use the same microsoft login for Administrator 2 as I have done for Administrator 1? Should/Can I do this before I delete Administrator 1?

After I've done all this. I intent to create a normal account which I would use on a daily basis. Is this a good idea? Or should I stick with using my Administrator Account all the time. With secure password of course. I still have quite a long way to go in setting up Windows 10 as I would like, including the files structure. I would say I have quite a lot of experience with computers (I can build my own desktop computer for example), but no experience at all with Windows.

Any answers, comments, and other ideas are welcome.

:)

 

backup and restore

Hi there,

Let's sort this out. Try adding a Full control permission to WindowsImageBackup folder for "CREATOR OWNER" user that exists in a list of user names, under Security tab in
Properties dialog box for that folder.

Regards.

 

Why two Document, Music, Picture and Video folders, one in This PC and other in Users/hamil/??

Hi Denis,

So the Document, Music, Pictures and Video folders under This PC are really only a link to where the actual folders and files are located under Users/hamil/, correct? I presently have a Documents folder within my Documents folder under Users/hamil and content
in both so will have to sort that out.

The path to the This PC/Documents folder is now directed to users/hamil/OneDrive/ and won't open as I have deleted the OneDrive Folder under users/hamil/ and I can't seem to find a way to redirect it to just users/hamil/. Any suggestions?

Thanks again, Bob

 

Hello stub, *Smile

If you like, the tutorial below can help show you how to safely rename your the user profile folder.

*Arrow Change Name of User Profile Folder in Windows 10 User Accounts Tutorials

 

I'm following those instructions. I've got down to #11. When I right click on the folder named "x" there is no rename. I'm stuck.

 

Just to verify, are you signed out of the account you want to rename its profile folder, and signed in to another administrator account?

 

Yep. I thought that too. So I checked and I was logged in as Administrator 2. But something didn't look right. So I set everything back to original, and rebooted. Logged in as Administrator 2. The only difference between Adminstrator 1 & 2 as far as I can tell is that Admin 2 is a Local Account.

So I tried again. This time at #11 there was a Rename option. But it would not accept my input saying that I needed Administrator permissions (WTF I am Administrator 2), and when I tried to continue, I was told the folder was in use by another user. I don't know if it is material, but the very first time I tried this, it wouldn't let me change the name of this folder "x", and when I checked, the \Users\newname folder was created and empty. (both x and the new name folders were present). So I deleted the new name. Would that deleted folder still have permissions somewhere? And on checking, the folder had not been created. So I cannot understand why this Administrator 1 folder "x" was in use by another program.

 

It sounds like "Administrator 2" may be a standard user instead of an administrator account. You can verify using the method in the tutorial below.

*Arrow Determine Account Type in Windows 10 User Accounts Tutorials

If it's not an administrator, then you can change it to be so.

*Arrow Change Account Type in Windows 10 User Accounts Tutorials

If you used the credentials from "Administrator 1" to continue, then that would have cause the "in use" issue.

 

"Is this now as simple as copying everything under \Users\x to \Users\MyShortName ,making this my microsoft account and deleting \Users\x and Adminstrator 1."

Yes, I've dome this a few times for several people. 'x' is using your MS account so can't be used for 'MyShortName' until it is deleted. Make 'MyShortName' a Local account with admin privs and remember the password !
Copy all the folder contents under This PC, like Music, Pictures, etc from 'x' to the corresponding folders in 'MyShortName'. Double check that all files you want to keep have been moved and/or backed up.
Use Run command (Win+R) netplwiz to see the users list and delete the 'x' account (double check that the Local account is an admin acct here). Reboot and C:/Users should only have your 'MyShortName' listed.
Go to All settings/Accounts/Your info and use the 'Sign in with MS account instead' option to complete conversion to 'MyShortName' with a MS sign-in instead of the Local. Good Luck.

 

Do you have to expose hidden files to copy the ones down the Appdata path to get things like profiles for Firefox or other app related data.

Ken

 

Option 1 says both Administrator 1 and Administrator 2 are both Administrator Accounts.

I am definitely logged in as Administrator 2 when trying to rename the Administrator 1 folder name.

 

In that case, temporarily enable the built-in Administrator account, sign in to it, and try renaming the profile folder for the "Administrator 1" account. When successfully finished, you can disable the built-in Administrator.

Be sure "Administrator 1" is signed out.

*Arrow Enable or Disable Elevated Administrator account in Windows 10 User Accounts Tutorials

 

This question was posed, after I've managed to create Users\MyShortName folder. This was a hypothetical question at that time because I could not do this from following the instructions. And this is my current problem. What you are saying is I will NEVER be able to do this until Adminstrator 1 (Users\x) is changed to a Local Account, and then I should be able to complete the instructions I've been following?

So my question/proposal: Can I make Administrator 2 (Users\MyFullName) a Microsoft Account by using the same email address as I'm using for Adminstrator 1 on Microsoft. Will it inherit all the privileges and settings of Administrator 1? Then change Adminstrator 1 to a Local Account (by deleting it's login to Microsoft? Is that easy to do?). Which should then enable me to complete the instructions I've been following changing Users\x to Users\MyShortName in File Explorer. I'm really cautious, that I don't want to lose any settings/privileges already set/given to my Administrator 1 (Users\x). I want them to be inherited by Users\MyShortName Admistrator 1 Account. Hence the simple change of folder name from Users\x to Users\MyShortName.

 

This is exactly a part of my concern. I don't want to do anything (because I'm completely new with Windows), which might lose data or settings.

 

The method I posted should be easier and safer.