Change Your Computer Name in Windows Vista
If you’ve ever bought a new computer with the operating system already installed, you might be annoyed by the default name of the computer when you start trying to connect different computers together. I like to use more descriptive names than HP382811UX… for example, I called my new desktop SUPERFAST and my old computer SOSLOW.
Changing this in XP was extremely simple, but in Vista it’s buried behind a few more menus. Here are three routes you can take to open up System Properties:
- Type sysdm.cpl into the start menu search box (quickest)
- Right-click on the Computer option on the start menu.
- Open Control Panel, and go to System and Maintenance, and then System.
If you chose one of the last two options, then you’ll need to click on Advanced System Settings on the left menu:
Now you’ll finally be on the right screen, which should say System Properties.
Click on the “Change” button to rename the computer, which will pop up this dialog:
Now you can finally change the name of the computer. You could also change the name of the workgroup to something more descriptive as well. You’ll have to reboot after you make this change.
Daily Email Updates
You can get our how-to articles in your inbox each day for free. Just enter your name and email below:
| Similar Articles | Featured Wiki Articles |
| Latest Software Reviews | Quick Linux Tips |
| Geek Arcade | Popular Forum Threads |
This may sound ignorant but I can change the computer name in Vista but all my programs call me by another name for example:
Computer Name: CBS
But if I go to Configure Advanced User Profile Properties I see CBS\OWNeR
OWNeR is the name my programs use. How can I change this?
In your example, OWNeR is the username, not the computer name.
i changed the computer name, but upon startup it goes back to the prompt screen (for UAC) to change computer settings again.. how do i get that to stop!! i dont want the change settings prompt coming up everytime i start my computer.
I just had the same problem, but my daughter setup the computer and put HER name from the startup on the new Vista, so now EVERYTHING shows HER name, HER documents, HER network, and she will never use this again as she has gone to school
i don’t use a password or click on a username, it just starts up every day, but her name is everywhere. Is there ONE place I can change Susan to Sharon and it will use Sharon in docs and stuff. i was told I could do this in the registry, but I was told I could also loose all my link connections?
SB
to JB
all you need to do is to change the name of the username
go to settings>user accounts> pick the adminstrator account(the first account)> change its name
and its finish
Note: You can’t change the actual computer name on a domain unless you are a domain admin. The description you can change though.
I have purchased a ASUS laptop and have changed all the names that I know how to to my name.
The problem I have is that windows vista is still calling this computer by the old owners name and also his location. (CANADA) LOL. Any idea how to fix this problem anyone? Current Name ( ASUS/Jabramo)
in vista, i just reformatted my PC… and my friends played a prank on me while it was reformatting making the Computer Name and User Name = RETARD , i thought it was funny and easily fixable. i changed the computer name and my user name to what i wanted it to, but it won’t change the name of the User folder so it’ll show “MyName-PC/RETARD”
I went to the folder itself, and doesn’t allow me to change the name of it. This is not a user account problem. plz help me.
HELP ME!!! It’s not terribly urgent.. but… I managed to change my computer and user accounts all to my own name.. BUT the problem is there is still a folder which holds ‘contacts’ ‘links’ among other things that is still the wrong name… the folder goes as follows
local disk(C:)> Users> SexyOneGirl
SexyOneGirl is what im trying to change.. im neither sexy, nor am i a girl. (last time i checked) It’s not a huge problem but it drives me CRAZY everytime i see it there. How can i change this, Keeping in mind that i’ve already used the method listed above and no results..ANY HELP you can offer would be most appreciated.. please rid me of this ‘SexyGirl’ curse.. Thanks fellow Vista’s
is this a bug of vista? though i change the ‘computer name’ and ‘user name’ of the administrator account, vista still won’t change the 1st name that u use in the initial setup of windows vista…
I have the exact same problem guys. Vista 32, started setting up new laptop with one admin’s name for computer and account, then changed that admin account to 2nd name AND changed the computer name, but Vista programs all still say computer is owned by 1st admin etc.
Has anyone figured out this Vista bug yet at Microsoft sheesh?
I have a similar problem. The laptop I bought was the last one in the store, so it was the one they used to show to customers. That means that even though I’ve changed the name of my computer, it still says ‘dynabyte’ pretty much in every file name. (Even in the game ‘Hearts’ the name of the first player is dynabyte, and I’m unable to change that.)
Any ideas on how to fix this?
Thanks, it worked for me. Microsoft should have made it easier to do this.
Am having the same problem with windows vista. I bought a laptop that had been returned by the previous owner. I managed to change the user name and the computer name but I cannot change the profile name. This therefore means that the old owners name keeps showing up everywhere….just like the problems above. Please did any one have a solution that worked?
i have done what you said.this hasn’t fixed the issue.when i install new programs the old user name still comes up.short of a complete clean and reinstall what can i do? THANK YOU!!!
Has anyone found a solution to the problem listed in the comments? I have the same thing — I had to send my computer to HP for repairs, and they did a clean install, named test. I’ve renamed the user account and computer, but everything still comes up test. I even tried just deleting all the accounts (I backed up my data first) since it actually created a second account at one point, but I still can’t get rid of that stupid test name, and it’s now officially driving me crazy that I can’t find a way to change it.
hey guys. so is the problem your having is that you cannot change the administrator account name? toni, the same thing happened to my hp laptop as well. so what i did was:
1. control panel
2. search “users” at top right
3. click “make changes to accounts”
4. double click administrator account icon
5. click “change account name”
Just as many of the users have listed, who have bought a pre “set up” machine, I too can not change the UserProfile name. This is the name that you see when you follow the instructions listed above but add the following steps.
1. When in the system properties window, instead of clicking the “Computer Name Tab”, click the “Advanced” tab.
2. Under the Advanced Tab, click on settings under User Profiles.
This is where the original name of the PC is located. How do you change it there? I too would LOVE to know how.
Thanks to any and all who can reply.
Hello everyone,
I think that the only way to solve this userprofile problem is:
1 – Backup all data in My Docs, Email, Favorites, Desktop…
2 – Create a “new user” on vista.
Control Panel, User accounts, Create new user.
3 – Restart vista and logon as “new user”
4 – Copy all data to the new account
5 – if you want. After you confirm that all data is restored, Delete the old account.
If you change the computer name you may also encounter a “task reminder” error in “Task Scheduler” saying “The specified account name is not valid”.
This, I believe, is also related to the “Windows Calendar” reminders not working after a name change.
All sounds v familiar. I’m just securing my Dad’s new laptop (as he’s more pc illiterate than me!) which he’s just bought secondhand from a friend. I stupidly ‘renamed’ rather than ‘deleted’ the old account for me to be the administrator and now in random places the original owner’s name shows up, but also his documents are still on here. Any ideas how to get rid? I thought of reformatting but am unsure of this new Windows restore thing. The pc came with no discs for re-installation. Should I be sceptical or risk it and give it a whirl? It has WinTV and radio pre-installed. Would I lose this upon re-installation? Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
I had the same problem as most of you and the pre-set registered name. I got the solution from my father.
Run regedit
Then go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
When you click on current version you will see RegisteredOwner in the list at the right. Right Click and click modify (or double click) and change the value data to your new registered name. Done!
Thanks Jennifer! Running regedit then:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
really works!!
Thank you.
Thank you so much Jennifer. Your solution worked perfectly
This still did not work for me. In fact I have double folders such as documents, music, videos, etc… Any ideas?
Hello, me again!
I had another laptop with the same issue and unfortunately the previous method didn’t work on that one. But as with someone else’s solution, I fixed this one. Since it had no files, I didn’t need to back up.
- Back up all your data (if necessary)
- Create a new user (Control panel, User Accounts, Create New User)
- Set that new user to be an administrator.
- Restart your pc and log in as the new user
- Transfer all your files to new account (if necessary)
- Switch users, log into old account, double check that you have copied over all your files.
- Log off old account and delete when it is no longer needed.
I have had no problems with this solution, everything is running beautifully! Hope this helps the rest of you!
Thanks Jennifer, your solution worked for me too…
hi,
i have a big problem, i changed the computer name and the domain of a windows vista account (not admin account) then i had to restart
but now the old passwort wont work for the same account, and i didnt change anythink on the account, just the computer name and the domain
also there is still and administrator account but i dont have the passwort for this,
is there anythink i can do, like recover the system.
thx
Hi,
For those who still cannot sort out the computer name problem after using Jennifers root use this:
Run Regedit:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\VOLATILE ENVIRONMENT
If you click on it you will see a list on your right, such as username, where you can see the name that you are getting in the value column, change this to your desired username. Hope this helps
I recently upgraded my system and the new one come with Vista (64-bit) Home Premium. I already have a home network consisting of 2 XP machines, with an existing name (other than “WORKGROUP”). When I try to change the workgroup name, I get the following error:
“Computer Name/Domain Changes”
“The following error occurrred when validating the name “MYNAME”
“A general network error occurred.”
The thin is, I didn’t change the computer name (”MYNAME”) at all, just the Workgroup name.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
Joe
While Jennifer’s tip does change the _owner_ name (I tried it on my computer) it does NOT change the name of the root user folder, which is what I think we all really want to change.
If you used a bad name when first setting up your computer, or if you bought a floor model, or used machine, changing the owner name in the registry does not change the name of the default user folder. If you go to C:\Users you will still see the folder with the original name.
It is not a good idea to change the name of this folder, because various registry keys, and programs installed, will be looking for it.
It looks like the only way so far to change the name of your root/default user folder is to create a new user, move all your files, and get rid of the old one.
mjschmidt,
I have posted another solution, which I mentioned does in fact change the root folder. I had the same issue on another laptop and it worked. You have to create another profile, make it an administrator and delete the old “owner”. Be sure to transfer all your files to the new profile first. More detailed information is posted in my last comment. Hope it helps!
Very interested in the comments and solutions to re-name user folders. I am having the same problem after having bought second hand pc running vista. When you mention transfering files, how is this accomplished; manually or a one-click on a menu?
HELP! I successfully put my name as the owner, however in addition to me my computer is still showing the store that i purchased the computer; floor model.
Can the store access my documents? I am really concerned cause i have a lot of photos and personal info stored on my puter.
Any help you can give me will be appreciated.
oh sorry my question is how do i delete the store as an owner on my computer?
@lisa: No, the store cannot access your computer. The store is just listed for information purposes.
Hey,
thanks a lot for the help!
Hey khiz it worked for me
Run Regedit:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\VOLATILE ENVIRONMENT
thanks coz i was searching this as last and i was going to format my pc. but thanks a lot
Okay, I know I happened on this thread late, but I just want to clarify -
I bought a brand new laptop w/ Vista a couple of months ago. As soon as I got it, I set up User accounts with myself as Administrator. No one else uses this computer but me, yet Vista reads does not read me (admin) as the default user. Instead there is a folder for user ‘Vista’ which is the default user profile that comes up when I log in. It has saved all my documents etc under ‘Vista’. Also, when I try to access certain elements it tells me that I don’t have clearance as I’m not an admin, even though there’s only one user profile on the system – me as admin. What can I do to get rid of ‘Vista’ and get full administrative access?
Will the registry editor fixes above solve this? Or do I need to create a new user profile as above?
Ok, so I was able to change my computer name in Vista…sorta. When I followed the steps above, then restarted it changed the name. Well, instead of replacing the original pc name with my new one it added mine to it ex users/newnamehere/ognamehere. Do I need to create a new account and move everything over to get rid of this? It’s kinda annoying on an ocd level. I just want my name in there because it’s my computer now and it just bothers me to see the old owner on here as well.
Thanks for this! I just got a new computer and Best Buy did everything for me but they had put the computer under my mother’s name and I had no idea how to change it. Cheers :]!
I’ve tried to change the name on my laptop ( operating system is Vista ). I did exactly what you told JB to do and my sister’s name still shows up on the files of my computer. Like toni’s music, video, etc. How can I change that so it says Mary. I even have a password under my name and I show up as the only adminisator but the files still show her name.
This is a ridiculous Vista Problem if you ask me…. I have tons of stuff and no way will be able to move everything to a new account, I’m going to try though because my friends daughters name is aggravating to me showing up everywhere as user, WISH i would have found this before i installed everything and a few months back. Thanks to everyone who submitted something that worked