Vista: Ownership details

Did you buy a new Vista computer from a major manufacturer or supplier? Then it’s likely that the registered organization is still listed as Dell, Hewlett-Packard, etc. And your name may not be listed as the registered owner either.

You have to change a registry setting to put your own name and organization into Vista — this means you’ll probably need administrator rights to your computer.

1. Click the Vista start button.
2. Click Run (in the right panel).
3. Type regedit then press Enter.
4. If User Account Control is turned on, you’ll be asked for permission to continue — click Continue.
5. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows NT then click on CurrentVersion.
6. Check the names listed in the Data column for RegisteredOrganization and RegisteredOwner.
7. If you need to change either of these, right-click on the item and select Modify.
8. Enter the correct details in the Value data field, then click OK.
9. Repeat for the other if it needs to be modified too.
10. Close the Registry Editor window.

Has this tip helped you? saved you time? saved your skin? You can thank me by clicking on the cup and buying me a coffee. (An E-Junkie shopping cart page will open where you can pay for my coffee via PayPal.)