Change original user's name on folder under Documents and Settings

[Patty]

Hi,

I bought a slightly used computer which is working just fine, but it annoys
me that I can't get some of the folders that were set up under the first
owner changed from her name to mine. It is specifically under the C: drive,
under the computer make, under the Documents and Settings.

I can click on the name and I get a prompt to rename but when I try, I am
told that it is a Windows system file and cannot be renamed or moved.

Is there anything I can do to get rid of the previous owner's identity
forever and make this computer completely mine short of wiping out everything
and starting over?

Thanks for any input/suggestions.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I bought a slightly used computer which is working just fine, but
it annoys me that I can't get some of the folders that were set up
under the first owner changed from her name to mine. It is
specifically under the C: drive, under the computer make, under the
Documents and Settings.

I can click on the name and I get a prompt to rename but when I
try, I am told that it is a Windows system file and cannot be
renamed or moved.

Is there anything I can do to get rid of the previous owner's
identity forever and make this computer completely mine short of
wiping out everything and starting over?

Create a new account. Start using it. Once you have everything over on it
you need, delete the old account.

Best though - slightly used or not - to wipe it and start from scratch.

 

[shawn]

I'm with Shenan. If you have a restore disc or Windows disc I'd wipe
everything clean and start fresh.... unless you know the person you bought
it from. I'd be concerned about stuff like hidden keylogging software that
automatically emails the other person everything you type.

 

[Twayne]

Whether you know the person or not, it's still best to start fresh with
everything IMO. Because you know them doesn't mean there aren't
malwares and other things wrong with it. One creates enough headaches
of their own without having to have other's headaches added to the list.
That also has the added advantage of proving that you have everything
you need for that day in the future when everything crashes and you have
to do the complete rebuild anyway. If you've done it once, you KNOW it
should work again. If not, well ... .

Regards,

Twayne

 

[Patty]

Hi Shenan,

I have created a new account and I have been using it, but it seems like
there are certain files that I just can't get her name off of - they must
have been created when she originally registered the computer.

I appreciate the other people's comments also - I believe that this computer
was too limited for the previous owner's use so she returned it to the store.
It amazes me that the store didn't wipe out everything before reselling it to
me at a discount as a display model - yeah, I know, I'm guillable.

How do I go about "wiping out" everything to start over? nI am concerned
about the re-registering part - will it allow me to re-register? (Yes, I'm a
little wary of rocking the boat when everything seems to be working fine).

Thank you once again.

 

[shawn]

Oh yeah, true. I didn't think that even though you know somebody it could
still have malware or a virus. Good thinking.

 

[shawn]

Many newer computers store restore information right on a seperate partition
(section) of your hard drive. It usually will display a message on booting
up to hit F10 (although it could be another key). Pressing that will allow
you to restore your system as if it were factory fresh.

Depends on the brand of computer, though. Some computers instead come with
either a restore disc or a genuine Windows disc. You would put that in the
CD/DVD drive and turn on your computer. It should automatically load and
prompt you what to do.

Another option is to look where you bought the machine. If you bought it
recently at a place such as Staples or Best Buy, they will most certaintly
do the restore for you provided they sold you the restore disc with the
computer or that it's already on the hard drive. I am sure they'd rather do
the quick fix for you than have an unhappy customer.

Restoring your computer will make it "like it came from the factory".