There's no such thing as a stupid question, but they're the easiest to answer.
JoinTour
Login
Search
Archive: Windows 95/98/Me
Tag Cloud
acer asus bios bsod computer crash desktop drive driver drivers error ethernet excel freeze gaming hard drive hardware hdmi internet laptop malware memory missing monitor motherboard mouse network networking printer problem ram registry router slow software sound toshiba trojan usb video virus vista wifi windows windows 7 windows 7 32 bit windows 7 64 bit windows xp wireless work
Search
Search for:
Tech Support Guy Forums > Operating Systems > Earlier Versions of Windows > Archive: Windows 95/98/Me >
Change 'Registered' Windows name

Reply  
Thread Tools
Gram123's Avatar
Senior Member with 1,680 posts.
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
09-Aug-2001, 07:52 PM #1
Hi.
My PC was built to my specifications, and this included a copy of Windows being installed. This turned out to be W98 First edition, although I'd've preferred SE or W2000.

Anyway, the point is that it is registered to the builder of the PC. When I right click on My Computer, it says someone elses name, and when I go to shut down it gives me the option to log off that name too.

Can I change this to my own name without reinstalling Windows? I have my own copy of W98 FE, but it was not the copy used for first installation.

Ta

Gram
Bryan's Avatar
Distinguished Member with 12,089 posts.
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: USA
09-Aug-2001, 07:56 PM #2
Start>Run, key in Regedit and press enter. Now in the Left pane, double left click on each of these til you see the contents of the "Current Version" key in the Right pane.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

Then in the Right pane you should see "Registered Owner". Right click on it and select Modify and change it to what you'd like.
~Candy~'s Avatar
Former Administrator with 104,742 posts.
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Experience: Advanced
09-Aug-2001, 08:02 PM #3
To change the registered owner of Windows95/98, do the following:

1) Click Start, Run
2) Type regedit, click OK
3) Click the + sign next to the following: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows
4) Click CurrentVersion
5) Double-click Registered Owner in the right window
6) Type in the new name and click OK

Well, I guess that's a consensus....Bryan beat me....

[Edited by AcaCandy on 08-09-2001 at 07:30 PM]
Bryan's Avatar
Distinguished Member with 12,089 posts.
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: USA
09-Aug-2001, 08:04 PM #4
Then to change the User Logon, first be sure your set to "All Users of this PC use the same Preferences ....". Click on Start>Settings>CP>Passwords. Now click on the UserProfiles tab. If it doesn't have " All Users of ... use the Same..."selected, select that option and click on Apply.

Also, check under the Network icon on the ControlPanel. What's listed for "Primary Network Logon". If it's "Windows Logon" or "Microsoft Family Logon" then do this,

Start>Find>Files, key in *.pwl and press enter. Now rename any .pwl files found to .old and be sure to rename them all. For example, Bryan.pwl would be renamed to Bryan.old

Then on your StartMenu click on "Logoff ...." A Logon box should appear. Enter your New user name and leave the password blank. Click on OK.

When your done, restart the PC to be sure a logon box doesn't appear at each startup of Windows. Also be sure after Windows starts up, that the "Logoff...." option on your StartMenu now shows your New user name. That's important.

Let us know what happens.


[Edited by Bryan on 08-09-2001 at 07:07 PM]
Gram123's Avatar
Senior Member with 1,680 posts.
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
14-Aug-2001, 05:44 AM #5
Thanks guys, that did it!
All present and correct.

Gram
Reply

Search Tech Support Guy

Find the solution to your
computer problem!




Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
WELCOME TO TECH SUPPORT GUY! Are you looking for the solution to your computer problem? Join our site today to ask your question -- for free! Our site is run completely by volunteers who want to help you solve your computer problems. See our Welcome Guide to get started.
Thread Tools



Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter TechGuy.tv TechGuy.tv Mobile TSG Mobile
You Are Using:
Server ID
Advertisements do not imply our endorsement of that product or service.
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:38 AM.
Copyright © 1996 - 2011 TechGuy, Inc. All rights reserved.

Powered by Cermak Technologies, Inc.