# My Computer is registered to...
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-computer-is-registered-to/48361
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [January 4, 2001, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-computer-is-registered-to/48361 "2001-01-04T05:26:36Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)
#### Post date: [January 4, 2001, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-computer-is-registered-to/48361/1 "2001-01-04T05:26:36Z")
OK, here’s the deal, and I hope someone out there can help me. I just bought a laptop from my roommate. When he installed windows long long ago, he registered it to himself. Now if I right click on My Computer, then go to properties, it says it is registered to him. Obviously…
But I dont want it to be registered to him. I want MY name there. Is there a way to get my name there instead of his, WITHOUT reinstalling windows?? I sure hope so.
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### Author:  [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)
#### Post date: [January 4, 2001, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-computer-is-registered-to/48361/2 "2001-01-04T06:06:03Z")
Someone will undoubtedly come along and correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the legal, correct, Bill-Gates-and-his-hoard-of-lawyers-authorized way to do it is to go to the store and buy a new copy of Windows 2000.
No, really.
You see, you bought the **computer** from your roommate. You did **not** buy the software from him, because he never really owned it. Microsoft owns it. The _licenced_ it to your roommate, but since that licence is nontransferable, you need to purchase your own licencing agreement from MS, which, for your convienience, comes handily packaged with the discs containing the software you are then allowed to use.
Until then, the Properties box for Windows on your computer will continue to reveal your crime, in case Bill decides to send any lawyers by to make sure you’re not stealing his software, or the FBI targets you in one of their regular sting operations to check for tags on your matresses.
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### Author:  [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)
#### Post date: [January 4, 2001, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-computer-is-registered-to/48361/3 "2001-01-04T06:13:20Z")
[Try this link.](http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q88/3/63.asp)
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### Author:  [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)
#### Post date: [January 4, 2001, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-computer-is-registered-to/48361/4 "2001-01-04T17:21:53Z")
His name is probably a registry entry, which you can search the registry for & change.
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### Author:  [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)
#### Post date: [January 4, 2001, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-computer-is-registered-to/48361/5 "2001-01-04T20:04:21Z")
Here’s how I always do it:
**Back up your Registry!!!**
-Go to Start --\> Run and key in regedit. Click OK.
-Open HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion.
-Double-click on the values of the RegisteredOrganization, RegisteredOwner, or ProductId and key in the desired value.
This will only change the registered user information for Win 9x, not for the applications on your system.
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### Author:  [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)
#### Post date: [January 4, 2001, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-computer-is-registered-to/48361/6 "2001-01-04T21:10:10Z")
**Alan Smithee** wrote
> [@](#):
>
> Someone will undoubtedly come along and correct me if I’m wrong
Sorry, you’re wrong.
[http://support.microsoft.com/support/windows/InProductHelp98/lic\_legal\_sell\_software.asp](http://support.microsoft.com/support/windows/InProductHelp98/lic_legal_sell_software.asp)
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### Author:  [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2001, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-computer-is-registered-to/48361/7 "2001-01-05T00:00:45Z")
All he has to do is transfer the Certificate of Ownership and the software medium to you. He can’t keep a copy. It’s legaly yours then.
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### Author:  [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2001, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-computer-is-registered-to/48361/8 "2001-01-14T05:46:54Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Bill H. \*
> Sorry, you’re wrong.
Well, shucks. First time for everything.