[rawq]

I got a computer from a family member and I want to change the user name to reflect my name. It is a windows xp home dell computer. I looked though 50 ages of content on this forum and unfortunately did not see anything similiar to my question. I do not have any system recovery cd's for that computer or I would reformat and start it up fresh. Any help or ideas are appreciated.

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Control Panel -> User Accounts -> Select the account in question -> Change Ny Name.

[Neil Jones]

Control Panel -> User Accounts -> Select the account in question -> Change Ny Name.

[rawq]

I just checked that path and that was done already. The name I would like changed is the registered to name. You know the one you see if you were to right click on my computer and that general system properties screen tells you your ram and specs and registered to name. Well that one is the one I would like to update to my name instead of the previous owners if its possible.

[piper]

Look at Microsoft article 310441. This involves a registry edit.

** Always use care when editing the registry. Be sure to export the key you're changing, or set a system restore point before making any changes.

Please post the results, good or bad.

[rawq]

I made the update and it does show now that the name has been updated when I right click the my computer icon and go to properties. When I go to task manager it still has the old name as user name under processes. I just restarted the the computer and it still has some of the processes with the old user name and now some of the processes show no user name . I did re attempt to rename the documents folder in the C:/ drive and it tells me that its a "windows system folder" and it can not be changed or moved thinking it would complete the name change I am looking for.


Well using the information database you linked to me before I found article 283111 that states its possible on any other windows platform except Windows Xp home edition, of course the one I have on the computer in question. Well thanks for getting me this far and cheers! The direct link as follows.... http://support.micro...kb/283111/en-us

Edited by rawq, 16 January 2007 - 11:04 PM.

[piper]

When you took the computer, did you rename the user account or create a new one for you?

Creating a new Windows User Profile and copying all the settings from the one you're using now, may correct that.

See Microsoft article 555473:

To create a new user account:
Go to Control Panel.
Click User Accounts tool.
Select the Create A New Account link.
Give the account a name and click Next.

NOTE: Ensure that the account type is Computer Administrator (You can see the option button displayed in the process.)

Click Create Account button.
Logoff from the current account, and login with the new account. This will create a user profile for the new account. When the user profile creation procedure is complete log Off from the account without doing any other modifications.

Login to the old account again and perform the following:

Right-click My Computer, and select Properties.
Select the Advanced tab.
Click the Settings button in the User Profiles section.
Select the user account that was corrupted.
Click the Copy To button.
Click Browse button and then browse For Folder dialog box to locate the Documents and Settings folder and select the new account.

A confirmation dialog box should appear that informs you that the original files will be deleted and prompts you to confirm the copy operation. Click Yes.
Once the profile is copied, log off from the system and login again with the new username. All the settings of the old account will be copied.