Renaming my PC

[John Mc]

Hi All

Another quick question ...
I sold my old PC to a family member, but she would like to
have the machine renamed to her rather than me.
If i go to System Properties / Computer Name, will this
affect any of the programmes, services, internet connection etc ??

I just don't want her to lose anything for the sake of changing a name.


Thanks
John

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

That will change just the name of the computer not the registration
details. It won't alter any other details pertaining to programs etc.

--


Will Denny
MS-MVP Shell/User
Please reply to the Newsgroup


Please reply to the Newgroups

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Another quick question ...
I sold my old PC to a family member, but she would like to
have the machine renamed to her rather than me.
If i go to System Properties / Computer Name, will this
affect any of the programmes, services, internet connection etc ??

I just don't want her to lose anything for the sake of changing a
name.

You'd both be better off with a clean install.

Changing the name of the system (it not being in a domain) is easy enough.
Changing all the names in the system from installed applications -
overwhelming.

Change the name of the system:
To change the computer name for a Windows XP-based computer, use the
Computer Name tab in the System Properties dialog box. To locate this tab,
use one of the following methods:

• Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
• Click Start, click Run, type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK.
• Click Start, click Control Panel, double-click Performance and
Maintenance, and then click System.

Then:
1. Click the Computer Name tab, and then click Change.
2. Type the new computer name in the Computer name dialog box.
3. Click OK three times, and then restart the computer.

To add a computer description, type a name or a description in the Computer
description box on the Computer Name tab, and then click Apply.

To change the 'registered to' name for Windows:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310441

To change the 'registered to' name in Office:
http://www.pctools.com/guides/registry/detail/460/

I suggest you create a new user for the new ownber at least...

Create a new administrative user. Call it BKUP-Admin.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/279783

Reboot.

Log in as the new administrative user (BKUP-Admin).

Delete all other administrative accounts that you can ('administrator'
cannot be deleted - but doubtful it was used much.)

Create a new regular (non-administrative) user.
(Make the username meaningful to the owner of the PC.)

Reboot.

Log in as the new non-administrative user.

Setup the desktop layout, straighten up the start menu, organize the views
in My Computer and such, add some favorites to IE, setup the email account,
etc.

Log off.

Log on as the administrative user you created (BKUP-Admin) and install any
other software you need to.

Make sure the BKUP-Admin and administrator accounts have passwords the owner
can and does remember.

From now on - have the new user utilize the non-administrative account for
everyday stuff - only loggin in as the administrative level accounts when
they need to install something.

 

[vista2]

You go to control panel, then to system, then to computer name, then click
change. You don't need to fresh install. It is WORTHLESS!

Another quick question ...
I sold my old PC to a family member, but she would like to

[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]

I just don't want her to lose anything for the sake of changing a
name.

You'd both be better off with a clean install.

Changing the name of the system (it not being in a domain) is easy enough.
Changing all the names in the system from installed applications -
overwhelming.

Change the name of the system:
To change the computer name for a Windows XP-based computer, use the
Computer Name tab in the System Properties dialog box. To locate this tab,
use one of the following methods:

• Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
• Click Start, click Run, type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK.
• Click Start, click Control Panel, double-click Performance and
Maintenance, and then click System.

Then:
1. Click the Computer Name tab, and then click Change.
2. Type the new computer name in the Computer name dialog box.
3. Click OK three times, and then restart the computer.

To add a computer description, type a name or a description in the Computer
description box on the Computer Name tab, and then click Apply.

To change the 'registered to' name for Windows:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310441

To change the 'registered to' name in Office:
http://www.pctools.com/guides/registry/detail/460/

I suggest you create a new user for the new ownber at least...

Create a new administrative user. Call it BKUP-Admin.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/279783

Reboot.

Log in as the new administrative user (BKUP-Admin).

Delete all other administrative accounts that you can ('administrator'
cannot be deleted - but doubtful it was used much.)

Create a new regular (non-administrative) user.
(Make the username meaningful to the owner of the PC.)

Reboot.

Log in as the new non-administrative user.

Setup the desktop layout, straighten up the start menu, organize the views
in My Computer and such, add some favorites to IE, setup the email account,
etc.

Log off.

Log on as the administrative user you created (BKUP-Admin) and install any
other software you need to.

Make sure the BKUP-Admin and administrator accounts have passwords the owner
can and does remember.

From now on - have the new user utilize the non-administrative account for
everyday stuff - only loggin in as the administrative level accounts when
they need to install something.

 

[vista2]

You go to control panel, then to system, then to computer name, then click
change. You don't need to fresh install. It is WORTHLESS when you can change
the name by doing some simple steps!

Another quick question ...
I sold my old PC to a family member, but she would like to

[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]

I just don't want her to lose anything for the sake of changing a
name.

You'd both be better off with a clean install.

Changing the name of the system (it not being in a domain) is easy enough.
Changing all the names in the system from installed applications -
overwhelming.

Change the name of the system:
To change the computer name for a Windows XP-based computer, use the
Computer Name tab in the System Properties dialog box. To locate this tab,
use one of the following methods:

• Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
• Click Start, click Run, type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK.
• Click Start, click Control Panel, double-click Performance and
Maintenance, and then click System.

Then:
1. Click the Computer Name tab, and then click Change.
2. Type the new computer name in the Computer name dialog box.
3. Click OK three times, and then restart the computer.

To add a computer description, type a name or a description in the Computer
description box on the Computer Name tab, and then click Apply.

To change the 'registered to' name for Windows:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310441

To change the 'registered to' name in Office:
http://www.pctools.com/guides/registry/detail/460/

I suggest you create a new user for the new ownber at least...

Create a new administrative user. Call it BKUP-Admin.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/279783

Reboot.

Log in as the new administrative user (BKUP-Admin).

Delete all other administrative accounts that you can ('administrator'
cannot be deleted - but doubtful it was used much.)

Create a new regular (non-administrative) user.
(Make the username meaningful to the owner of the PC.)

Reboot.

Log in as the new non-administrative user.

Setup the desktop layout, straighten up the start menu, organize the views
in My Computer and such, add some favorites to IE, setup the email account,
etc.

Log off.

Log on as the administrative user you created (BKUP-Admin) and install any
other software you need to.

Make sure the BKUP-Admin and administrator accounts have passwords the owner
can and does remember.

From now on - have the new user utilize the non-administrative account for
everyday stuff - only loggin in as the administrative level accounts when
they need to install something.

 

[vista2]

No, it will not change a thing except the computer name.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

You go to control panel, then to system, then to computer name,
then click change. You don't need to fresh install. It is WORTHLESS
when you can change the name by doing some simple steps!

Worthless?
That only describes one thing in this thread - I left it quoted above.

 

[John Mc]

It's ok guys, no need to fight over it,
changed it in "computer name" and all ok.
Had nothing on it before so no security issue with passing it on.

Thanks again