#As root / or as another user.
# Kill the processes of the user to rename
pkill -u <OldLoginName>
#Rename user login
usermod -l <OldLoginName> <NewLoginName>
#Rename HomeDir
sudo usermod -d /home/NewHomeDir -m NewLoginName
# To manage every aspect of the user database, you use the usermod tool.
# To change username (it is probably best to do this without being logged in):
sudo usermod -l newUsername oldUsername
# This however, doesn't rename the home folder.
# To change home-folder, use
sudo usermod -d /home/newHomeDir -m newUsername
# -l changes login name
# -d changes home directory
# -m copies over contents from old home directory
usermod -l <newname> -d /home/<newname> -m <oldname>
# NOTE: will not work if you are currently logged on as user
# - workaround by temporarily enabling root account and running above command there
# [sudo passwd root]
# - after root account has been used to change username lock it using
# [sudo passwd -l root]
# On login screen, press Ctrl + Alt + (F1-F12) to enter terminal mode
# Log in with your normal account in the terminal
# Type this command to temporarily enable the root account and type a password:
sudo passwd root
# Log out of your current account and type "root" to log in as the root
# Type this command to kill any processes using your account to allow editing:
pkill -u <yourLogin>
# Type this command to change the name of the login and the home directory:
usermod -l <newLogin> -d /home/<newDirecotry> -m <oldLogin>
# Once done, you can lock (disable) the root account using this command:
sudo passwd -l root
# It can be done both as the root and your normal account
# You can leave terminal mode using Ctrl + Alt + (F1-F12) (might be different)
su -l [user]