Changing user name

[AJS]

Hello,
I inherited a computer and would like to change the user name.
I was able to change the log on name (control panel - User), but in
Documents and settings the old name still appeared.
I do want to keep all the files and settings of the old user, but with my
name.
Is it possible to do that?
Thanks,
AJS

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I inherited a computer and would like to change the user name.
I was able to change the log on name (control panel - User), but in
Documents and settings the old name still appeared.
I do want to keep all the files and settings of the old user, but
with my name.
Is it possible to do that?

You'd be better off wiping, installing anew and truly making it your
computer.

You could create a new account, use FAST Wizard to export the old to the
new, erase the old.

I still recommend wiping, installing anew and truly making it your computer.

 

[AJS]

Thanks,
How do I use the FAST wizard?
AJS

| Hello,
| I inherited a computer and would like to change the user name.
| I was able to change the log on name (control panel - User), but in
| Documents and settings the old name still appeared.
| I do want to keep all the files and settings of the old user, but with my
| name.
| Is it possible to do that?
| Thanks,
| AJS
|
|

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I inherited a computer and would like to change the user name.
I was able to change the log on name (control panel - User), but in
Documents and settings the old name still appeared.
I do want to keep all the files and settings of the old user, but
with my name.
Is it possible to do that?

How do I use the FAST wizard?

Assuming you are talking to me - since at this point I seem to be the only
respondent - other than you responding to yourself...

Now is a great time to point you to one of the easiest ways to find
information on problems you may be having and solutions others have found:

Search using Google!
http://www.google.com/
(How-to: http://www.google.com/intl/en/help/basics.html )

Example:
http://www.google.com/search?q=How+to+use+FAST+wizard+in+Windows+XP

Might lead you to:
http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/fast.php
or
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/293118

Consider your old profile coming from the 'old computer' and the new profile
being on the 'new computer'.

Want to see the conversation as it looks in 'thread mode'?
http://groups.google.com/group/micr...772d9745c84/31f3bd50aaa6376a#31f3bd50aaa6376a

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hello,
I inherited a computer and would like to change the user name.
I was able to change the log on name (control panel - User), but in
Documents and settings the old name still appeared.
I do want to keep all the files and settings of the old user, but with my
name.
Is it possible to do that?

If I acquired a used computer, 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. No matter who previously owned it, I wouldn't want to live with
somebody else's mistakes and problems, possibility of kiddy porn,
etc., and I wouldn't recommend that anyone else do either.

 

[WhiteTea]

To "AJS":

Ken just blessed you with a boilerplate reply that he's used probably
hundreds of times to this point... a reply that doesn't deal with your
problem and that assumes that you received the XP installation disc
with that computer and that you know what to do with it.

Did you?

You're right.

If he doesn't have the disk, then I guess one option is to take REALLY
good care of his primary disk.
Besides backing stuff regularly.

Andy

"If you didn't see, I didn't do it."

 

[WhiteTea]

If I acquired a used computer, 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. No matter who previously owned it, I wouldn't want to live with
somebody else's mistakes and problems, possibility of kiddy porn,
etc., and I wouldn't recommend that anyone else do either.

Hey Ken,

They make really good utilities that get rid of all that stuff.

Nothing beats a boot sector editor either.

Andy

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hello,
I inherited a computer and would like to change the user name.
I was able to change the log on name (control panel - User), but in
Documents and settings the old name still appeared.
I do want to keep all the files and settings of the old user, but with my
name.
Is it possible to do that?
Thanks,
AJS

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 definitely 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.

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

 

[AJS]

Thanks to all who responded.

| AJS wrote:
| > Hello,
| > I inherited a computer and would like to change the user name.
| > I was able to change the log on name (control panel - User), but in
| > Documents and settings the old name still appeared.
| > I do want to keep all the files and settings of the old user, but with
my
| > name.
| > Is it possible to do that?
| > Thanks,
| > AJS
| >
| >
|
|
| 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 definitely 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.
|
| 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