User name change

[SS]

When I log on (password for desktop) Is there a way I can change the user
name, I got the PC from a guy and just want to change to my name if
possible. I was told from reg edit but don`t want to mess there without
instruction.

thanks

 

[Leonard Grey]

The first thing to do after you get a second-hand computer is to erase
the hard disk and re-install all the software. That's the only way to be
sure that the computer is free of malware, misconfiguration and other
problems. When you install Windows you'll create a new user account for
yourself.

 

[Big_Al]

SS said this on 12/16/2008 2:25 PM:

When I log on (password for desktop) Is there a way I can change the user
name, I got the PC from a guy and just want to change to my name if
possible. I was told from reg edit but don`t want to mess there without
instruction.

thanks

You could simply search in regedit for that name "bob" or whatever.

But a word of thought. If you got the PC from someone, the general
consensus is that you don't know how it was treated, if its got a virus,
what is installed etc (in general that is). You should think of just
reloading a fresh copy of XP. This way you'll know what is there and
not there. Also you can setup your right name as the user. Kills two
birds with one stone.

 

[SS]

SS said this on 12/16/2008 2:25 PM:
You could simply search in regedit for that name "bob" or whatever.

But a word of thought. If you got the PC from someone, the general
consensus is that you don't know how it was treated, if its got a virus,
what is installed etc (in general that is). You should think of just
reloading a fresh copy of XP. This way you'll know what is there and not
there. Also you can setup your right name as the user. Kills two birds
with one stone.

I got it from a friend who was upgrading. I have done several virus checks
and used Hijack log and other help on forums to make sure all is ok.
I know I can`t be 100% sure but I don`t have a disc to repoad it.

 

[Unknown]

You can change the users name by going to control panel---user accounts. You
can delete any/all users and set up yourself as a user. However if you want
to change the name of the owner that appears on the window when clicking on
system in control panel, you'll have to modify the registry or reinstall the
OS.

 

[Leonard Grey]

If you did not receive installation media for all the software on the
computer, you only got half a computer.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

When I log on (password for desktop) Is there a way I can change the user
name, I got the PC from a guy and just want to change to my name if
possible. I was told from reg edit but don`t want to mess there without
instruction.

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.

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.

 

[SS]

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.

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.

I got as far as `current version` but could not find Registered owner.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

<snip>

I got it from a friend who was upgrading. I have done several virus
checks and used Hijack log and other help on forums to make sure
all is ok.

I know I can`t be 100% sure but I don`t have a disc to repoad it.

You got no installation media or a way to fix things in case of a
catastrophic failure?

Your 'friend' owes you that much, or they certainly aren't much of a
'friend'. Above and beyond the friend thing - you didn't get much of a
computer without the software installation media or a way to restore it from
scratch, IMHO.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

When I log on (password for desktop) Is there a way I can change
the user name, I got the PC from a guy and just want to change to
my name if possible. I was told from reg edit but don`t want to
mess there without instruction.

Create a new user account.
Log on as that user.
Copy the stuff (favorites, documents, etc) you need from the old account
with the name you don't want to the account with the name you want.

**Do not copy all of the contents of C:\Documents and Settings\<old
username> --> just the Favorites, My Documents, maybe some items from the
desktop, perhaps (if the installs were badly done) the startr menu and
desktop icons for certain applications...

You might have to 'take ownership' of th old profile to access the files
included there.

 

[Jim Moriarty]

Your 'friend' owes you that much, or they certainly aren't much of a
'friend'.

What a completely asinine comment.

Stick to computers - at least you're accepted here as being
"qualified" to talk about that.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

<snip>

I got it from a friend who was upgrading. I have done several virus
checks and used Hijack log and other help on forums to make sure
all is ok.

I know I can`t be 100% sure but I don`t have a disc to repoad it.

You got no installation media or a way to fix things in case of a
catastrophic failure?

Your 'friend' owes you that much, or they certainly aren't much of a
'friend'. Above and beyond the friend thing - you didn't get much
of a computer without the software installation media or a way to
restore it from scratch, IMHO.

What a completely asinine comment.

Stick to computers - at least you're accepted here as being
"qualified" to talk about that.

You must be the 'friend'.

If I sold you a car and did not give you the title - you'd be sort of in a
bad place if I reported it stolen. (Or if you tried to sell it sometime in
the future...)

If I sold you a computer and did not give you a way to fix things if/when
they go wrong - you'd be in a bad place if/when things went wrong.

Would a 'friend' do either?

Simple question - not a debate starter.


Either:
- The friend was ignorant of the fact you needed a way to restore a computer
in case of a catastrophic problem/of how to do it.

- The friend was not ignorant of this and either:
- Sold the person a computer with a bum OS on it (or at least no way to
fix things in a catastrophic event.)
- Planned on doing this later/helping the friend out if bad things
happened.
- Did not explain to the friend how to access the built-in
restoration/recovery of said system.

- The friend had lost the CDs and told the person purchasing it this (and
they did not mention it here.)

In any case - if this person (the OP) purchased this computer from a
'friend' - them going back now and asking them if they have the original
installation media and/or know how to restore this computer to the 'as sold
new' state should not affect their friedship and should resolve this 'I do
not have the CDs' problem (or lead to an answer the friends will not share
here.)

 

[Jim Moriarty]

If I sold you a car and did not give you the title - you'd be sort of in a
bad place if I reported it stolen. (Or if you tried to sell it sometime in
the future...)

If I sold you a computer and did not give you a way to fix things if/when
they go wrong - you'd be in a bad place if/when things went wrong.

Would a 'friend' do either?

Where did the OP say the friend SOLD the computer. HMM?

Even IF it was sold, the OP doesn't indicate that it was
accepted/purchased under duress.

Simple question - not a debate starter.

I understand why. You're a fool.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

When I log on (password for desktop) Is there a way I can change the user
name, I got the PC from a guy and just want to change to my name if
possible. I was told from reg edit but don`t want to mess there without
instruction.

thanks

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

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Where did the OP say the friend SOLD the computer. HMM?

Even IF it was sold, the OP doesn't indicate that it was
accepted/purchased under duress.


I understand why. You're a fool.

No - I did get you to respond with everything you had.
Sad really.

Doesn't matter if it was free.
Doesn't matter if it was duress.

Either the friend did not give them the whole package intentionally,
unintentionally or there is not enough information yet.

 

[SS]

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

I would just like to clarify for previous posters that my `old` PC was
running ok but was heck of a noisy.
I was given (not bought) the other from a friend, I spent 4 weeks
transferring info and getting it checked for anything dodgy.
It runs fine and have no issuses with it other than little things that I
will change when I can.
If I could afford to I would go buy my own but finances don`t allow this
having succumbed to the latest economic crisis.
Both wife & me have been paid off in last 4 weeks so things are difficult
enough.
I still have my old PC tower so have a back up if need be, and I also use an
external hard drive for back up.