Registering Windows w/ diff. name

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support (More info?)

I recently acquired a used computer from a friend, but the computer is still
registered in my friend's name. I right-click "My Computer" choose
"Properties" and where it says "Registered To" it has my friend's name, how
can I change it to my name? Also, there are many other things titled under my
friend's name that I don't believe are related to the "Registered To" part.
For example, I go to the C: drive, choose "Documents and Settings" and then I
am given the choice of "All Users" or "Dawn" (my friend's name). How can I
change these all to my name?

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support (More info?)

LisML47 wrote:
> I recently acquired a used computer from a friend, but the computer is still
> registered in my friend's name. I right-click "My Computer" choose
> "Properties" and where it says "Registered To" it has my friend's name, how
> can I change it to my name? Also, there are many other things titled under my
> friend's name that I don't believe are related to the "Registered To" part.
> For example, I go to the C: drive, choose "Documents and Settings" and then I
> am given the choice of "All Users" or "Dawn" (my friend's name). How can I
> change these all to my name?


With second-hand computers, especially if acquired from strangers
but perhaps even if acquired from a family member or friend, your wisest
course of action would probably be to format the hard drives and start
fresh. You don't want to get in trouble because the original owner may
have filled the hard drive with kiddie porn, or have problems because
the original owner downloaded/installed viruses or other malware.

However, to fix the "Registered to" information for WinNT/2K/XP,
you can use Start > Run > Regedit.exe to edit:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\RegisteredOwner

and:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current
Version\RegisteredOrganization

How this will affect the name displayed in previously installed
applications will vary depending upon each individual program; some
read the registered owner information dynamically, while others read
it only during installation.

The user profile folders (C:\Documents and Settings\Username)
_cannot_ be renamed, even if the associated user account has been.
So, your best course of action would be to log on using the built-in
Administrator account, create a new user account, with the username
desired. You can then delete the old user account(s).

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/defau [...] -us;279783

How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile
http://support.microsoft.com/defau [...] -us;811151



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