Change the Registered Name on a Windows PC
There's nothing that proclaims ownership of your computer quite like having your name plastered across the login screen. Whether you've acquired an old computer and need to update the user name or you're just bored and in need of a change, here are a couple of the easiest ways to change the registered name on a Windows PC.
Contents
Steps
Using Registry Editor
- Review your system protocol. If you're on a work computer or an otherwise non-personal machine, chances are pretty high that you won't have access to the registry editor--and even if you do, you probably shouldn't be making changes to the computer's registration.
- Even if you don't think there will be an issue, remember that there can be legal ramifications to tampering with a machine's registration. Check with any system administrators first!
- Changing a personal computer's registration can render the computer unclaimable in the event that it is stolen; it can also reset your saved wifi networks, as workplace and school wifi providers rely on your registration staying consistent.
- Open the registry editor. Registry editor allows you to make changes to system software and hidden files, which is what you'll need to do to edit the default username. To open the registry editor, go to Run, type in "regedit", and click "OK". This should bring up the registry editor, in which several folders should be viewable in the left-hand corner of the window.
- You may encounter a pop-up window asking you if you're sure you want to open registry editor. Click "OK" to continue.
- If your system sends you an error message that states your ineligibility to access registry editor, you're probably not cleared to make changes to software on that specific machine.
- Expand the relevant data tree. Locate the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE file and expand it, then do the same for the ensuing files SOFTWARE, Microsoft, and finally Windows NT. Make sure you're expanding these files, not just clicking on them.
- To expand a file, click the chevron-style arrow next to it. This should result in an extensive list of all the sub-folders appearing.
- Change the registered owner. Click on--but don't expand--a file labeled "CurrentVersion", then scroll down to an item labeled "RegisteredOwner" in the right-hand pane and double click it to bring up the value editor. You can change this value from the current name to whatever you see fit.
- You can also change the registered organization in the same location by double-clicking the item labeled "Registered Organization". Again, make sure you have explicit permission to make this change before doing so if you're on a shared computer.
- Finalize your username. Though you've changed the registered user at this point, the default name that will show on the login screen isn't bound to this registry item. To finalize your changes, scroll through the contents of "CurrentVersion" until you find a folder entitled "Winlogon"; click on this file, find the registry item labeled "DefaultUser" (or "DefaultUsername") and double-click it to change its value.
- Make sure this value perfectly matches the change you made to the registered owner above.
- Confirm your changes. To ensure your changes carried over, open the file explorer by accessing the Start menu and clicking on "File Explorer" (Windows 8 and 10). Find the "File" tab in the upper left-hand corner, click it, and then click on "Help"; click "About Windows" in the resulting menu. A window should pop up with your PC's details, including its registered name. If the name on the window matches the name you entered, you're good to go!
- A much easier and more consistent way of verifying your name is by opening System Information and scrolling through your system's details until you come to your registered name. To access System Information in any operating system, open Run, type in "msinfo32.exe" without the quotation marks, and click "OK".
- On Windows XP, you'll open "Explore" from Start, then go to "Help" in the upper left-hand corner and click on "About Windows" in the menu.
- On Windows Vista and Windows 7, you'll click "Open Windows Explorer" from Start, then click the "Help" tab in the upper left-hand corner and click on "About Windows" in the menu.
- Reboot your computer. When you log back in, your computer should display your newly-entered name above the login information section. This will finalize your process.
Using Control Panel
- Decide on a name change. If you're simply trying to change the name that displays upon boot-up and on the start screen--not the official registration--then your accuracy doesn't really matter. Be creative!
- Nicknames, pet names, or other monikers are great ideas if you're looking for a change in scenery, so to speak.
- Open Control Panel. Control Panel allows you to make changes to system processes and apps. The easiest way to find Control Panel is by typing its name into the search bar located in the start menu, then clicking the relevant app as soon as it pops up.
- On older systems, it is possible to access Control Panel through system settings; on newer systems such as Windows 8 and 10, however, it's easier to simply search "Control Panel" and click on the resulting app.
- You can also open Run and type in "control panel" to open this folder.
- Select "User Accounts". Once Control Panel opens, look for and click on a subcategory labeled "User Accounts".
- Make sure you don't click on the link entitled "Type of account"; this will open a series of settings that can potentially harm your computer or your ownership thereof if handled incorrectly.
- User Accounts may redirect you to a subfolder with another link entitled "User Accounts"--if so, click this link.
- Click "Change your account name". Once you've accessed the User Accounts folder, find the link entitled "Change your account name" and click on it. This will bring up the option to type in a new account name. Type in the name of your choosing and click "Change Name" to finalize the process.
- Note that, while this change does affect the login name above your password entry box, the official registration of your computer and the default username will remain the way it appeared before.
- Restart your computer. When you log back in, your computer should display your newly-entered name above the login information section. This will finalize your process.
Tips
- Like with any other time you make significant changes to your computer's settings, consider Do-a-System-Restore before you proceed.
- Even if you're sure you have permission to make these changes, it's always a good idea to double-check with anyone who might take issue before doing so.
- At the time of this writing, Windows' most current operating system is Windows 10; while these instructions feasibly cover all operating systems up to that point, future renditions of Windows software may be structured differently. Keep this in mind if you are trying to change the default name on systems produced after Windows 10.
Warnings
- Licensing is a very specific and complicated legal matter which has different rules and guidelines for each type of machine. Do not assume that what is true for one machine in your home is true for another. Some licenses are non-transferable, especially if the machines were purchased through government or non-profit channels. Changing or using a Windows license for home use from these channels is illegal in most cases.
- Using registry editor is an inherently dangerous process. Be extremely careful about what you click on, and don't delete anything--you run the risk of ruining your computer permanently.
- Attempting to bypass restrictions on computers can be about as illegal as cyber-offenses come. If you don't have access, don't force your way in.
