How to delete or rename user profile win 7

I got a laptop from someone and now I want to delete the previous owners windows user profile or just rename it to mine. When I try to delete I get message that I cannot because some programs are in use. When I right click and select properties the option to rename the profile is not available.
Is there anyway for me to rename this profile to my name??
I do not want to format laptop and re-install everything because I do not have the original disks. There are programs on that I want to keep.
Running windows 7 starter.
Thank you
Answer #1
By “got a laptop from someone”, I assume you mean stole it?
Add an useful, elaborate and on-topic comment next time.
figjam
Answer #2
1 – Type accounts into the Start menu, then choose the User Accounts link that appears.
2 – Click the option link to change your user name and save the changes.
This will change the name as shown on the login screen (Welcome screen) and the Start Menu. It will not change the folder name, however. This is because the folder is hard-linked to your account in many (hundreds, thousands) of places, and changing the folder name will render your account unusable.
The only way to change the folder name is to create a new account, move your files over to that account, then delete the old account.
Answer #3
prozac4312 replied: By "got a laptop from someone", I assume you mean stole it?
NO you actually assume incorrect !!!! Everybody is not a thief !
Answer #4
vigk replied: 1 - Type accounts into the Start menu, then choose the User Accounts link that appears.
2 - Click the option link to change your user name and save the changes.
This will change the name as shown on the login screen (Welcome screen) and the Start Menu. It will not change the folder name, however. This is because the folder is hard-linked to your account in many (hundreds, thousands) of places, and changing the folder name will render your account unusable.
The only way to change the folder name is to create a new account, move your files over to that account, then delete the old account.
Hi thank you. I was actually trying to change folder name. Maybe I must try to go the “create new account” way and move files over. Is that a big job to do ? Thank you
Answer #5
No it is not a big job .Go to Control Panel and go to User Accounts, create a new one (give it Administrator rights), naming it as you wish. After you create it, login to it and open up C:\Users and drag any thing you want from the old user account folder to the new one (music, documents, pictures, etc). When you’re done, go back to Control Panel and delete the old account.
Answer #6
vigk replied: No it is not a big job .Go to Control Panel and go to User Accounts, create a new one (give it Administrator rights), naming it as you wish. After you create it, login to it and open up C:\Users and drag any thing you want from the old user account folder to the new one (music, documents, pictures, etc). When you're done, go back to Control Panel and delete the old account.
Thanks for the help !