Second Hand PC

Zebra

Recently I bought a second hand PC.

How do I change the name of the person that the PC is registered to - ie on System Properties of My Computer?

thefenman

Try downloading Tweak UI from here . . . .

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/tweakui.htm

And click on Logon and you should be able to change the name there.

When installed on my computer, to find the application (which is minute), you need to click on <start> then <programs> and find a folder called "Microsoft power tools". It's in there.

Zebra

Thanks thefenman - downloaded Tweak UI ok and changed the name at login but it still shows the pc registered to the previous owner.

davb

It is stored in the registry.

If you are confident about using regedit then:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion]

Modify the string values of 'RegisteredOwner' and 'RegisteredOrganization'

As always, be careful when editing the registry, as messing it up could be 'bad'

thefenman

davb wrote: »

It is stored in the registry.

If you are confident about using regedit then:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion]

Modify the string values of 'RegisteredOwner' and 'RegisteredOrganization'

As always, be careful when editing the registry, as messing it up could be 'bad'

Cool! Create a back-up first, though, just in case!

Zebra

I've never changed the registry before - How do I go about doing it, and can I restore the settings if I do mess up?

davb

If you want to have a go, there are some instructions here
Don't use any of the links to scan for errors, etc

Navigate by expanding the "+" symbols on the left.
It's easy once you know, but if in doubt bail out by closing regedit - click the x on the top right
Settings may need a reboot to take effect.

This is not a good place to "mess up" - you could end up with a non-booting PC.

Zebra

Thanks davb - job done.

Much easier than changing my name by deed poll to Hugh Jass.

Zebra

How do I change the main User Name?

I've changed the User Account details but it doesn't change the Windows system folder or the user name in the task manager.

Oneday77

DiD you get a windows disc or any recovery discs with the PC. With this being second hand you have no idea what software is lurking in the back ground or file content. Personally I would remove windows and reinstall it from scratch. Anyone selling a second hand PC should always remove thier hard drive, you never know the personal detils you miss when trying to delete it all.
It sound very heavy handed but I would say worth it. Bearing in mind all the software currently installed will be lost unless you have discs for them.

davb

Oneday77 is correct, in that the best option for a second hand PC would be a complete rebuild, as you then know where you are starting from.

If you are happy with the origin and contents of the PC (or don't have the disks), then personally I would create a new admin user of the name you want, copy anything you need from the old to new user, then delete or disable the old user.
Changing the current username would be messy.