How to Edit My Username in Registry
Your username is what you use to differentiate yourself from others who use the same computer. At the startup screen on any of the Windows platforms, it will appear next to either a box or a photo if you have selected one. To alter your username, you have to dive into the Windows registry and change it. The Windows registry is where all sorts of information is stored, but be careful--deleting or modifying anything in the registry can cause your computer to crash.
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Instructions
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Click the "Start" button in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen. A menu will slide up above it.
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On the new menu, click "Run." A new, smaller box will appear.
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In the "Run" box, type "regedit" and press enter. Depending on your security preferences, you may see a warning box that asks if you want to allow this program to edit the registry. Select "Yes."
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In the new box, click on "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE." Several options will drop down below it.
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From the new options, select "SOFTWARE." A list of options will drop down beneath.
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From the new options, click on "Microsoft."
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Click on "Windows NT." Beneath that, a folder that says "Current Version" will appear. Select it.
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A list of keys will appear in the right-hand box. Click on "Registered Owner." Depending on your settings, you may have to right-click and select "Modify."
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From the new box that pops up, delete the current username and write in whatever you would like to change it with. Select "OK."
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Restart your system for the changes to go into effect.
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Tips & Warnings
Regedit can be used to edit other parts of your computer, too.
Be careful what you edit in the registry, as it could harm your computer and prevent it from running properly.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit computer image by Hao Wang from Fotolia.com
