How Do I Change the Registered Owner and Organization Name of Windows

Scenario:  Either you have purchased a pre-owned PC or you have a PC which has exchanged hands somehow and Windows reports it is registered to a person and/or an organization which is not longer correct.  You want to change this information without necessarily reinstalling Windows.

Note:  Steps listed here involve editing Windows registry.  Proceed at your own risk.  It is always recommended to backup your registry before making changes.

1.  From Windows main screen select the Start button (or Windows button is Vista or 7)
2.  From the Start menu click Run (or select the Search field if Windows Vista or 7)
3. In the dialog box type “regedit” and click OK or hit ENTER
4.  Navigate to the following location in the Registry Editor: HKEY_Local_MachineSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsNTCurrent Version
5.  In the right hand pane look for the ‘RegisteredOwner’ value
6.  Right click the RegisteredOwner value and select Modify
7.  Modify the value data with the correct information and click OK
8.  Right click the RegisteredOrganization value and perform steps 6 and 7.
9. Close the Registry Editor and verify your information has been updated.