Change registered owner

[Geoplay]

When I received my computer from a repairer, the registered owner was
misspelled, and the 'my documents'
folder for myself,- and I am the owner and sole user, -were misspelled. I
tried to rename the my documents folder, and received a message that it was
a system folder and could not be renamed. Could someone please explain how I
can achieve both the renaming of the 'my documents' folder and the computer
ownership entry. I think there are some registry entries that can be changed
to achieve this. If so, I would appreciate any advice.
My OS is XP Pro, sp2.
TIA
Geoplay

 

[Richard in AZ]

Unfortunately, you can not just rename the "user" in Documents and Settings
folders.
You will need to create a new user with the correct spelling.
Then after logging in as the new user, "take ownership" of your old user
files and move them to your new user name.
After all data is transferred and usable, delete the old user.

 

[Ron Badour]

For the second part of your question, open the registry editor to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

You will find the RegisterOwner entry in the right hand pane

 

[Richard in AZ]

Ron, your fix will change the registered owner listing in the Systems
Properties dialog box, but will not really solve his/her problem.
The OP needs to change users.

 

[Ron Badour]

Hi Richard (but it's dry heat <G>),

You already covered that part so I did not bother to repeat it. That's why
I said, For the second part of your question....

 

[Bruce Chambers]

When I received my computer from a repairer, the registered owner was
misspelled, and the 'my documents'
folder for myself,- and I am the owner and sole user, -were misspelled. I
tried to rename the my documents folder, and received a message that it was
a system folder and could not be renamed. Could someone please explain how I
can achieve both the renaming of the 'my documents' folder and the computer
ownership entry. I think there are some registry entries that can be changed
to achieve this. If so, I would appreciate any advice.
My OS is XP Pro, sp2.
TIA
Geoplay

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, without risky registry editing, 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. Once you've logged in using this
new account (and transfered any data you need to preserve, you can then
delete the old user account(s).

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783

How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot