There don't seem to be any tools like in XP Pro that allow one to rename the Administrator Account. Is there ANY way to do this task from the command-line or thru some other means? Perhaps even during the installation process somehow?

Remember this is crappy XP HOME we're talking about, not crappy XP Pro.

Try this:

Go to Start > Run, enter control userpasswords2

Check 'Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer' if it is not already enabled. Select Administrator, click Properties. Change the User name to whatever you want.

There's no reason for MS not to provide a command line utility to do this. The actual API to make this change is the same API that "net use" and company use, and you can do about everything else to configure users with that command.

That said, I use a utility called "renuser.exe." If you search google for "renuser" it will turn up. I rename the Administrator right from cmdlines.txt.

Start -> Run -> gpedit.msc -> Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> "Accounts: Rename administrator account"