Change name in Win XP?

[Brian]

I have taken over a Dell with XP, which belonged to a friend who passed
away. Her name keeps appearing in document properties etc.

How can I change the name fully to mine?

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

Please see the following link to Doug Knox's web site:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_change_owner.htm

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Will Denny
MS-MVP Shell/User
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[Brian]

Many thanks for your help.

 

[Will Denny]

You're welcome.

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Will Denny
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[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have taken over a Dell with XP, which belonged to a friend who
passed away. Her name keeps appearing in document properties etc.

How can I change the name fully to mine?

If I acquired a used computer, even one that belonged to a friend, the first
thing I would do with it would be to reinstall the operating system cleanly.
You have no idea how the computer has been maintained, what has been
installed incorrectly, what is missing, what viruses and spyware there may
be, etc. I wouldn't want to live with somebody else's mistakes and problems,
possibility of kiddie porn, etc., and I wouldn't recommend that anyone else
do either.

 

[Chuck]

Thanks to the usual OEM version, this may not be the easiest thing in the
world to do.
One major problem is to make sure you have the OEM specific (updated?)
drivers.
Another involves the reinstall of applications.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks to the usual OEM version, this may not be the easiest thing in
the world to do.

Why not? OEM vendors are required by their agreement with Microsoft to give
you a means of reinstalling, should it be necessary. They can do this in one
of three ways:

1. An OEM copy of Windows
2. A restore CD
3. A hidden partition on your drive, with restore information.

If you don't have 1 or 2, you should have 3, but you should contact your
vendor to find out.

Personally, I find both 2 and 3 unacceptable (especially 3; a hard drive
crash can leave you with nothing), and would never choose to buy a computer
that came with an operating system unless I got a complete generic
installation CD for that operating system.

But regardless of what method they give you, you can do it, and I recommend
that you do.

One major problem is to make sure you have the OEM specific (updated?)
drivers.

They come with what the OEM gives you.

Another involves the reinstall of applications.

Yes, you have to do that. And it's an effort. Nevertheless, I recommend that
you do so. The alternative of living what whatever the previous owner left
you is worse, in my view.