Print Page | Close Window

Rename Profile inside same Domain

Printed From: ForensiT
Category: ForensiT Support
Forum Name: Desktop Management
Forum Description: User Profile Manager questions, suggestions, comments and bug reports
URL: https://forum.ForensiT.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=273
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 2:13am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Rename Profile inside same Domain
Posted By: jfmoore
Subject: Rename Profile inside same Domain
Date Posted: 28 May 2010 at 7:57am
Hello,
 
I am a little unclear which version of your software to purchase and I am not sure if any of them will do what I want to do.  If somebody can assist I would appreciate it.  Here are the details:
 
Background:
=========
Windows XP workstations.
Windows 2003 Server.
Profiles stored locally.
 
I currently have a fairly large domain and in that domain I have 8 active directory accounts that need to change (the user names are too long and need to be compressed down to 8 characters). 
 
I need to rename the AD account on the server side and then I need the user to use that login id going forward on their local XP workstations.  Obviously when the user goes to use the new login id, they will get a completely new user profile in Windows XP.  Will your software permit me to migrate the local user's profile on their workstation from the old id to the new one?  If so, which version of your software should I use?
 
Can you also suggest the proper steps to complete this task?  I don't need all of the details, just the order of events.  My feeling is I would go about it this way:
1.  Rename AD account on the server.
2.  User logs in with new account on local XP workstation.
3.  Use your tool to migrate the user profile from the old login id to the new login id.
 
Thanks



Replies:
Posted By: Support
Date Posted: 28 May 2010 at 8:16am
Hi,
 
Well the good news (for you) is that you don't need to purchase any software Smile
 
If all you are doing is changing the user's existing AD account name (for example by right-clicking the user object in the "Active Directory Users and Computers" MMC snapin, and choosing "Rename") then the user will be able to logon with their new account name without any problems. Windows will not create a new profile.
 
The reason is that Windows uses SIDs (Security Identifiers) not user names to identify a user account and the SID won't change.


Posted By: jfmoore
Date Posted: 28 May 2010 at 8:31am
Thank you for the fast response.
 
That is what we hope but we just don't quite get how the local machine will know to use the old profile data with the new login id.


Posted By: Support
Date Posted: 28 May 2010 at 8:43am
It's because the profile path is stored in the registry under the user account SID not the user account name. If just the name changes the SID stays the same and Windows loads the same profile.


Posted By: jfmoore
Date Posted: 28 May 2010 at 9:56am
Ok, thanks!  We'll give it a shot!


Posted By: jfmoore
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2010 at 12:16pm
Thanks again.  The rename was successful and the profile stayed intact.



Print Page | Close Window

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Copyright ©2001-2019 Web Wiz Ltd. - https://www.webwiz.net