Doug Sundquist wrote:
> Runing Windows XP Home Edition on a new computer. I renamed the logon for
> the original account as mine and then later noticed it has a rather cryptic
> account name in Documents and Settings (Owner-C145XX . . .) that I'd prefer
> to change to match my logon. I also notice an aditional Owner directory and
> Administrator directory. To that end I have two questions:
> 1. Can I rename that cryptic directory somehow to match my name? As I add
> other users I'd like it to be obvious who's stuff is what.
> 2. Can I simply delete those other 2 directories from Documents and Settings?
> Thanks,
> Doug Sundquist
You cannot simply rename user accounts. Instead, create a new one for
yourself and copy the data and settings over. You will need to log into
the new account once before you can copy anything to it. After the links
about copying and creating user accounts, I've given you a general
explanation of user accounts in XP so you will understand what you are
seeing in Documents and Settings.
Copy a User Account -
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=811151
HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783
Explanation of user account structure in XP:
XP is a multi-user operating system, no matter if only one person is
using it. In all multi-user operating systems - NT, Win2k, XP, Unix,
Linux, Mac OSX - there is the one built-in account that is "god" on the
system. In Windows terminology, that is "Administrator". In the *nix
world, it is "root". This is a necessary account and is not normally
used in everyday work. You cannot delete the built-in Administrator
account nor would you ever want to.
Here is the explanation of what you really have:
My Computer - represents your entire computer, showing drives and shared
folders. Shared Folders are folders where you can put files you wish to
share with other users on the system. You don't need to use these
folders if you don't want to, but leave them alone!
[some name] C:\ - your first hard drive, usually the system drive.
Document and Settings - The "container" for all user settings. Each user
will have [username] Documents, Music, Videos, My Pictures.
Administrator - Built-in account - Leave alone! Do not use! Do not worry
about it!
All Users - Section where items common to all users go. In a multi-user
operating system, users have separate accounts. This is the place where
if you want to share files with all the other users on the system you
would put those files. You don't ever have to use those folders but they
need to be there. This is where programs you install that are meant to
be installed for all users put settings. All the "Shared Documents" type
of folders you see at the root of C:\ are shortcuts to the shared
folders in here. Leave them alone!
Default Users - This is the template from which new user accounts are
made. You will never put anything in any of those folders but they are
needed to create new users. In Linux we use "skel" ("skeleton" - get
it?). In Windows, the less-colorful term "Default User" is used. Leave
it alone!
[OEM] Administrator or Owner - This is the generic user created by the
OEM when installing the operating system. After all, the OEM doesn't
know who is going to buy the computer. If you aren't using this OEM user
account, you can delete it from the User Accounts applet in Control
Panel. It is not the same account as "Administrator".
Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
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