My friend gave me a used computer.The computer has the name of the person who used the computer as her computer. How can I put my name as the administrator and remove her as the prime admistrator? She no longer works for my friend. Thanks Fred

What version of Windows does it have?

I have windows XP Home edition.

Hi, Fred,
I like your name...
Please go to this link:

http://training.binghamton.edu/navdisplay.asp?navfilename=NAV-SECXPh&edufilename=EDU-WTKT

It has step by step instructions (with pictures) on how to change the Administrator name.
Best wishes,
fredg

The information was great. My only question is how do I take her name off the wecome page ? The page has her name on the computer.I turn off her computer.Thanks again Fredg

If she is listed as a user on the Welcome page, login as an Admin, go to Control Panel and select Users. Then delete the User account.

After I delete her as the administrator her name still shows up on the welcome page.Example turn off (her name) computer. I am the sole administrator and user of the computer. Thanks again Fred

After I delete her as the administrator her name still shows up on the welcome page.Example turn off (her name) computer. I am the sole administrator and user of the computer. Thanks again Fred

Can you do a screen shot of where you still see here name? Attach it to a post here.

Hi, Fred,
Here are steps to do a Registry Edit, which will get rid of that name for you:

1. Go to Start, Run and type in "regedit"
2. Go to the key [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserLis t]
3. Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called "Administrator" and set it to 0.
4. Exit out of the Registry Editor, and restart.

Best wishes,
fredg

Radio,
Unless you are very comfortable with editing the Registry I would reserve doing that as a last resort. Try posting the screen shot as I suggested and lets take a look at what you are seeing there may be an safer and easier way to make the change.

Hi ScottGem I also think editing the registry may get me in hot water.My friend once told me to change the registry on my old computer with ms dos.That was a bad idea. It took some help to get my computer going again.I do not know how to do a screen shot. I can tell you I only see her name as. On the lower left corner turning off (her name) computer. I was able to delete her name as the administrator. Thanks again have a great weekend. Fred

Press Alt+PrntScrn. This will save the screen to the clipboard. Open MS Paint and paste in the screen shot. Then Save As a JPG.

Hi,
Don't attempt to change or edit your Registry using DOS; you can get into hot water (boiling) like that.
There is nothing wrong with editing your Registry, if you follow those steps from Microsoft.
Besides, every time you shut down your computer, it saves a copy of your Registry. If something happens, you can boot to "Last know good configuration", and restore it.
Everyone has to learn, sooner or later, how to get into the Registry, if you intend on fixing stuff yourself, without taking it to a computer shop and paying out high dollars!
Best wishes,
fredg

Hi,
Don't attempt to change or edit your Registry using DOS; you can get into hot water (boiling) like that.
There is nothing wrong with editing your Registry, if you follow those steps from Microsoft.
Besides, every time you shut down your computer, it saves a copy of your Registry. If something happens, you can boot to "Last know good configuration", and restore it.
Everyone has to learn, sooner or later, how to get into the Registry, if you intend on fixing stuff yourself, without taking it to a computer shop and paying out high dollars!
Best wishes,
fredg

You know Fred, you can't have it both ways. Several times I have seen you recommend taking it to a computer shop rather then risk further damage. Now you recommend risking the machine. Please be more consistent.

I am very experienced. I am comfortable editing the Registry. But I still reserve that as a last resort.