Changing Name in XP Home

I have what sounds like a simple question, but stay with me.
Under C:\Documents and settings\John Mc Henry, with John Mc Henry being my name under user accounts (not my real name), I want to change that name and windows won't allow it. It says it is a system file and can't be done. I want to take the space out of my name.
I've tried going to user accounts and changing it alos, but that doesn't change it under Docs and settings, only in User Accounts. I've tried changing it in safe mode also with no luck also.
I am the only user on the computer so of course I do have admin rights.
Any ideas other then reformatting and starting over, all for an extra space? Is there a simple regedit that might work?
Floyd

 

You have to create a new user account, transfer the data from the old account to the new one, and once data has been transferred, delete the old one. There is no reg hack to get around it.

Vista is the first MS OS with profiles thats allows name changes such as these.

 

Thanks for the quick response albeit not the answer I was hoping for, but in my gut I thought that's what I'd have to do. I hate to do that because it seems like I lose all my software settings and preferences etc in transferring. Any idea around that?
Seems almost easier doing a reformat. Ugh.
Thanks again.
Floyd

 

File and Settings transfer wizard should work between user accounts.

Run it in the old user account first, and treat it as the old computer.

Take note where it saves the files, I dont remember the default location.

Then run the wizard in the new account as a new PC.

Its worth a shot.