Change owner's username

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bob
  • Start date Start date
B

Bob

I bought a laptop from another family member with XP SP2 on it and I'd like
to change the owner's name (system wide to include (Documents and Settings,
etc) from: oldname (as an example) to newname. I thought about backing up
the registry and then doing a global search/replace for all occurrences
within the registry to see if that would do it but I'm not so sure that
something that simple is the right way to go.

Any/all suggestions appreciated

Thanks
 
Change Registered Owner and Organization:
See Kelly's Korner, Line 7, Right hand column.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

You will need to create a new user account and then move any files over from
the old account.
After you create the new account you may get an Access Denied message, see
below:
Access is Denied Error Message XP Pro: (should work with Media Center)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810881
Shared folder access:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/sdperms.htm
Also read this MS KB article about how to take ownership of files.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421
Understanding and Applying NTFS Permission in Windows XP Professional
http://www.winxpsolution.com/ApplyingNTFSXPPro.aspx


NOTE: Your best bet is to do a 'Clean Install' of Windows XP.
You never know what the previous user left on that PC or laptop.
This assumes that you have all the media (CDs) that came with the PC or
laptop.
Note that some manufactures may not provide a Windows XP install CD but have
a hidden recovery partition, in which case you need to read the
documentation.

The Windows Key Code sticker should be on the bottom of the laptop
(you will need this to do the install).

Also make certain you have a 'Drivers' CD, if not go to the manufacturer's
web site and download all the drivers (Video, Sound, Network, Etc.). If your
PC or laptop came with a Windows XP CD then you can perform a clean install
per
the info provided at the last part of this post.

Before you do the 'Clean Install' download and install the following
utility:
Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
It does a good job of providing a wealth of information, including installed
software and hardware configuration which you will need to verify that
you have or downloaded all the drivers you need.

Now if you choose to do that clean install of Windows XP, here's how!!!
How to do a Clean Install of Windows XP:
Change the BIOS setting to Boot from CD drive first.
Then see below:
From Michael Steven's: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
more info: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm
and: http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm
also: http://www.bootdisk.com/

Again note: Make sure you have the drivers you need for your motherboard,
video card, sound card, Etc.

Again: If you a doing a Clean Install on an existing PC that has XP already
installed:
Verify your CD or Sticker Key code matches what Belarc Advisor reports for
your existing install.

Note: OEM Windows Installs (done by the PC manufacture) usually come
with a sticker on the PC or laptop and may not match the
factory installed key reported by Belarc Advisor,
this is normal as the factory uses their own internal key code,
you need to use the code on the sticker.

JS
 
|I bought a laptop from another family member with XP SP2 on it and I'd like
| to change the owner's name (system wide to include (Documents and Settings,
| etc) from: oldname (as an example) to newname. I thought about backing up
| the registry and then doing a global search/replace for all occurrences
| within the registry to see if that would do it but I'm not so sure that
| something that simple is the right way to go.
|
| Any/all suggestions appreciated
|
| Thanks
|
The correct method is to create a new user with your name.
Then login using the new user name and delete the old user account.
If you want the data files from the old user, you will have to "take ownership" of these files
first.
Do a search on file ownership for help.

You can rename the user, but you will not be able to rename the users files.
 
I bought a laptop from another family member with XP SP2 on it and I'd like
to change the owner's name (system wide to include (Documents and Settings,
etc) from: oldname (as an example) to newname. I thought about backing up
the registry and then doing a global search/replace for all occurrences
within the registry to see if that would do it but I'm not so sure that
something that simple is the right way to go.
Click to expand...


If I acquired a used computer (even from a family member), 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.
 
Bob said:
I bought a laptop from another family member with XP SP2 on it and I'd like
to change the owner's name (system wide to include (Documents and Settings,
etc) from: oldname (as an example) to newname. I thought about backing up
the registry and then doing a global search/replace for all occurrences
within the registry to see if that would do it but I'm not so sure that
something that simple is the right way to go.

Any/all suggestions appreciated

Thanks
Click to expand...


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
 
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