How to choose a username when using a Microsoft Account in Windows 8?

Question

As noted in my other question, Windows assigns a strange username (<login>_000) when logging in with a Microsoft Account to a computer for the first time. It is quite difficult to change this username (and associated folder in C:\Users) later.

Is it possible to choose the username during the first logging in with a Microsoft Account?

Solution

One way to do this (not very convenient, but works) is to create a local account with a desired username and then immediately connect it to a Microsoft Account.

To do this:

1. Go to Charms Bar -> Settings -> Change PC Settings -> Users -> Add a user
2. Choose Sign in without a Microsoft Account at the bottom of the wizard
3. Choose Local account
4. Enter your desired username in the Username field (leave password blank)
5. Press Next and then Finish
6. Switch current user to the newly created one (in the upper-right corner of the Start Screen)
7. Enter the Users settings exactly as in step 1.
8. Click Switch to a Microsoft Account
9. Enter your Microsoft Account e-mail and press Next
10. Complete the wizard (enter your password, fill in security info, etc.)

You'll then have a Microsoft Account with a chosen username.

Comments

[DzinX]

You don't have to disable anything, you just choose Sign in without a Microsoft Account, it's not like it's obligatory or anything (see my answer).

[programstinator]

Right, I guess I didn't understand the question correctly then. Your answer suggests creating AN ADDITIONAL user account, rather than creating a specific-name user account from the first time you install, which your question seems to ask. I know it's not obligatory, I just didn't know if creating a new additional account had the exact same steps as creating the FIRST account on the PC, so I couldn't check. That is why I suggested going offline, just as a 'brute force' solution :)

[Alexey Ivanov]

This is how I did it. But I'd really like there's an option to select the user name when creating an account tied to Microsoft Account without tambourine dancing. :)