How to change the username on a laptop

[Aurora]

This laptop was purchased from a friend, and his name is still set as the
owner of the computer (like when sleep mode starts). How do we change this to
a new name?

 

[pcgeek]

For both security and performance reasons, I would highly recommend
re-installing Windows freshly.

Trevor Sullivan

 

[Malke]

This laptop was purchased from a friend, and his name is still set as the
owner of the computer (like when sleep mode starts). How do we change this
to a new name?

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_change_owner.htm - Change the registered
owner/company (MVP Doug Knox)

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

Best idea of all:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Reinstalling_Windows - What
you will need on-hand

Malke

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

This laptop was purchased from a friend, and his name is still set as the
owner of the computer (like when sleep mode starts). How do we change this to
a new name?

If I acquired a used computer, even from 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 kiddy porn, etc., and I wouldn't recommend
that anyone else do either.

But if you just want to change the "Registered to" name, you can do so
by editing HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current
Version\RegisteredOwner with Regedit.

 

[PD43]

If I acquired a used computer, even from a friend, the first thing I
would do with it would be to reinstall the operating system cleanly.

Such an action probably is the source of 30% of the questions asked
here, if not more. Another 20% - again, if not more - deal with
restore.

Question One: what are the chances that when someone buys/gets a
computer from a "friend" that it has what is required to perform a
fresh install?

Question Two: what are the chances that spending $100 to buy a new
version of XP will be worth it on such a computer?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

This laptop was purchased from a friend, and his name is still set as the
owner of the computer (like when sleep mode starts). How do we change this to
a new name?

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 drive 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.

However, 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.


--

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

 

[M.I.5¾]

Such an action probably is the source of 30% of the questions asked
here, if not more. Another 20% - again, if not more - deal with
restore.

Question One: what are the chances that when someone buys/gets a
computer from a "friend" that it has what is required to perform a
fresh install?

Actually very good these days considering the restore information is usually
on a separate partition on the hard disc.

Question Two: what are the chances that spending $100 to buy a new
version of XP will be worth it on such a computer?

That would entirely depend on the perceived value of the computer.