I want to change the name of a local user account on a windows xp
computer but I want all of the settings to remain the same.  That is,
the desktop should be the same, etc.

Where is the file that affects this that I need to access?

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Request for Question Clarification by rainbow-ga on 11 Nov 2004 05:40 PST

Hi skip9801,

Do you have access to the computer administrator account?

Rainbow~

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Request for Question Clarification by rainbow-ga on 19 Nov 2004 05:09 PST

Hi skip9801,

I'm posting this as a clarification to make sure it works before
posting it as an official answer.

To change the name of a local user account, follow these steps:

Go to Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management.
Open Local Users and Groups.
Click on Users.
In the right-hand panel, right click the name you want to change.
Click "rename" to change it, and enter the name you want and then press enter.
Close the windows.
For the change to take affect, you may need to restart your computer.

Please let me know if that works. 

Best regards,
Rainbow

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Request for Question Clarification by rainbow-ga on 21 Nov 2004 08:34 PST

Hi skip9801,

In answer to your question posted in your comment, yes the desktop of
the account under the new name will stay exactly as it was under the
original name. The only thing that will change is the name itself. I
tried it and tested it for verification.

Let me know how it works out for you.

Best regards,
Rainbow

Hi skip9801,

I'm glad the information I provided helped. I will re-post here to
make it an official answer.

To change the name of a local user account, follow these steps:

Go to Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management.
Open Local Users and Groups.
Click on Users.
In the right-hand panel, right click the name you want to change.
Click "rename" to change it, and enter the name you want and then press enter.
Close the windows.
For the change to take affect, you may need to restart your computer.

Best wishes,
Rainbow

Reference: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783&sd=tech

To Make Changes to an Account
1. Click Change an account in the Pick a task list box. 
2. Click the account that you want to change. 
3. Select the item that you would like to change:

? Click Change the name to change the name that appears on the Welcome
screen for the account.
? Click Change the picture to change the picture that is used to
represent the user account. You can use any image file on the computer
for the user's picture.
? Click Change the account type to change the account type to increase
or decrease the user's rights on the computer.
? Click Create/change the password to create or change the password
for the user and create or change the password hint.
? Click Delete the account to delete the user account from the
computer. When you delete the account, you are given the option to
save the user's files on the computer.

Note: You can not delete the account for a user that is currently
logged on to the computer.
 
Best,

joe_wilson-ga

Yes - I do have access to the administrator account.

Thanks for the information.  It is correct that if that follow those
steps, the dsektop of the account under the new name will be exactly
as it was under the original name?

Thanks.

Thanks.  Your answer was very helpful.