Windows 7 Registry - RegisteredOwner and RegisteredOrganization
When you buy a machine with Windows 7 pre-installed, sometimes OEM's leave
their name in your copy of Windows 7. A little research reveals that such names are stored in registry values called: RegisteredOwner and RegisteredOrganization. Here is a registry hack to edit the value to reflect your organization.
As a bonus, I have an amusing story featuring Evans Twp and his experience of RegisteredOwner.
To see what I am talking about call for 'winver'. In Windows 7, click in the Start Search dialog box, and then type: winver.
Topics for RegisteredOwner
Windows 7
Registry Hack
Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\. Alternatively, in Regedit, click the Edit menu, Find, and then type: RegisteredOwner in the dialog box.
Double click on the REG_SZ called RegisteredOwner.
Change the value, I choose Guy Thomas, but I suggest you use your name.
Repeat the above instructions for RegisteredOrganization.
Exit Regedit and launch Start Search, type winver in the dialog box.
Is RegisteredOwner a value in HKCU** or HKLM? Answer: HKLM
Do you have to add a value, or modify an existing setting? Answer: Modify
Is it a String Value or a DWORD? Answer: String (REG_SZ).
Do you need to Restart, or merely Logoff / Logon?
Answer:
neither, just type 'Winver' in Windows 7's Start Search dialog box.
** HKLM is an abbreviation of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, and HKCU is shorthand for HKEY_CURRENT_USER. These acronyms are so well-known that you can even use them in .reg files, Windows 7 will understand and obey the
registry instruction.
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In my homeland of Wales, Twp (pronounced Tupp) means a stupid person. The IT manager of a company I was working with was called Evans, and in common with
many mangers, he was not very IT literate. Consequently, one of the techies, Dai 'eighteen months', nicknamed this manager: Evans Twp. (Dai lost part of an ear in a Rugby scrum, and as a result, he only had an ear and a half!).
The IT department took on a new lad called Peter. Practical jokes are often part of the initiation ritual for new workers, and this company was no exception. Peter's first job was to install five new
Windows 7 Machines. During the scripted set-up
he discovered the Organization Menu; he stopped and asked Dai 'eighteen months' what he should enter. Dai said, "Put Evans Twp in the box".
When Peter proudly showed off the new computers he was taken aback when Mr Evans went
ballistic and accused Peter of undermining his authority. What happened was Mr Evans typed Winver in the Start Search menu, and saw that the 'Registered To' was: - Evans Twp. (Meaning: Evans the stupid one!)
I was visiting the
company doing other work, when I heard of Peter's distress. Mr Evans told the poor lad that had to come in at the weekend and reinstall the machines, Mr Evans wanted the company name
to display as the 'Registered Owner'. I took
Peter aside
and showed him how to launch Regedit and find RegisteredOwner. We found Evans Twp and changed it to
the name of the company. Peter was thrilled as it only took a moment to make the registry hack, and Peter went
to the rugby match instead of sacrificing his weekend to perform re-installs.
Creating a .Reg File
This page explains how to create, and then edit
a .reg files for your computer. As it's
easy to import the contents of a .reg file into the registry, do take extra care with procedures.
Example RegisteredOwner .reg file.
»
Summary of Windows 7 RegisteredOwner - Registry Hack
Sometimes computer suppliers leave
their name in your copy of Windows 7. With this Windows 7 registry
hack you can find entries called: RegisteredOwner and RegisteredOrganization
and change their values to suit your organization. Changing
RegisteredOwner has nothing to do with Windows Product Activation (WPA) and
will not allow you to register a second copy of Windows 7 legally.
If you like this page then please share it with your friends
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