Windows 10: Why do I have a second user-account folder outside of \user\?

My windows 10 user name is "stan". There is a folder under the folder \user\ named \stan\. And there is a folder \stan\ at the same level as \user\. Both \stan\s contain exactly the same sub-folders and files. File Explorer shows the locations on the C: drive:

\stan\
\user\stan\

Why does this configuration exist?
Should I do something about it?
If so, what?

:)

 

I can't rename my user account

Hello Owen,

Welcome to the Microsoft Community.

• 
  Are you using a Microsoft account or local account?
  

If you are using local account, I suggest you to follow the below steps to change the user name.

Please follow the steps to rename the user account in Windows 10.

a. In the search box, type user accounts and click on User Accounts.

b. Click on “Change your account name”

c. If it’s prompting for password please enter and click on Yes. If you do not have password click on Yes.

d. Enter the new user name.

e. Click on change name.

If you face any more issues while working with Windows do post on Microsoft Community Forum.

 

Renaming the users folders

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

You are trying to rename the User folder, which can’t be done through the File explorer. Whatever user name you use of your User account, user account folder will have same name. You can rename the Subfolder of the User account folder but not User
account folder.

If you want rename the User account folder, change user account name using the suggestion

Lets’ refer to these steps to rename the User account and check if that helps.

• Press Windows and X keys together.
• Click on Control Panel, click on User Accounts.
• Click on User account, then click on “Change your account name”
• If it’s prompting for password please enter and click on Yes. If you do not have password click on
  Yes.
• Enter the new user name.
• Click on change name.

Reference link for more information.

Windows 8 User Folder Rename.

Windows 8 User Folder Rename



Please do let us know if you need further help.