Full Windows Name Change

[Zanorin]

Hi Everyone,
I recently bought a computer from Fry's (Originally form IBuyPower). Unfortunately it was the last one available and was the "Floor" so they had all ready installed Windows with all its settings, Here is the problem. I have changed the Full Computer Name, Using the System Properties > Computer Name > Change. and changing it form there but i want to change the actual file names on the computer, so when i go to C:/ then to Users it would say my computer name.
Hopefully this makes sense and someone can help me,
I am on Windows 8.1, 64-bit.

Thank You,
Zanorin

 

[Darkbreeze]

Go to Control panel>System>Advanced system settings and click on the computer name tab. Change the computer description to whatever you want to call it. Then click on the button that says "Change" next to where it says "To rename this computer click change" and change that to whatever you want. Click OK as you exit everything.

Next, go to Control Panel>User accounts and click on Change your account name and rename it to whatever you change the other settings to. Save your settings and reboot.

 

[Zanorin]

Go to Control panel>System>Advanced system settings and click on the computer name tab. Change the computer description to whatever you want to call it. Then click on the button that says "Change" next to where it says "To rename this computer click change" and change that to whatever you want. Click OK as you exit everything.

Next, go to Control Panel>User accounts and click on Change your account name and rename it to whatever you change the other settings to. Save your settings and reboot.

Thank you darkbreeze, but the final step i could not find "Change your account name" or anything familiar so i added an image below to what i can see.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Ok, two possibilities. See if you can go back into that screen and change the account type to administrator. If that's not an option as it may already be an administrator account, you may have to save your desktop folders and system settings/preferences to a folder on the root drive, and create a new account with the name you desire. Then restore your folders and settings to their original locations. I say that because when you create a new user profile, it will be a clean profile just as when it came new except it will have your chosen name.

Afterwards you can delete the other user account.

 

[Zanorin]

Ok, two possibilities. See if you can go back into that screen and change the account type to administrator. If that's not an option as it may already be an administrator account, you may have to save your desktop folders and system settings/preferences to a folder on the root drive, and create a new account with the name you desire. Then restore your folders and settings to their original locations. I say that because when you create a new user profile, it will be a clean profile just as when it came new except it will have your chosen name.

Afterwards you can delete the other user account.

Thanks, it looked like it was going to work when i copied the account but when i got to the end alot of the files could not be copied because they were in use by the system therefore i cannot delete the user folder because it is in use by the system. Is there any way to bypass this? maybe using a Command Prompt?

 

[Darkbreeze]

I think you might be trying to do it the wrong way. You don't want to actually "delete" anything, as far as, you're not actually putting anything in the Recycle bin.

This: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N42jqzHyCE

 

[USAFRet]

What you REALLY want to do is a full reinstall.
Wipe the entire drive and reinstall clean.

True Story:
Years ago, I bought a returned rack PC from a big box store. I asked the salesman specifically if it had been wiped and restored to factory condition.
"Yes"

I asked the floor manager the same
"Yes"

I got it home, poking around in the registry....the first owners name, address, phone number, credit card num, etc, etc....

Wipe and reinstall.

 

[Darkbreeze]

The only problem is, if you bought a floor model it obviously didn't come with any disks (Usually they don't anyhow) and who knows if there is a recovery partition. You would need to look in Windows explorer and see if there is a recovery partition listed on the drive. If there is, then it's advisable to do as USAFRet recommends and do a clean install or at least a reset. If you have installation media a clean install would be best but if not and if there IS a recovery partition, you can at least do a factory reset.

To reset your PC


1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)


2. Tap or click Update and recovery, and then tap or click Recovery.


3. Under Remove everything and reinstall Windows, tap or click Get started.


4.Follow the instructions on the screen.

 

[USAFRet]

There is either a disk set, or a recovery partition. Per the license agreement from MS, it must come with one or the other, or both. If it doesn't, there is a larger issue.

There is no way I'd continue to use an OS from a floor model. Is it going to try to keep contacting the Fry's server in the back room? Or contact IBuyPower home base?
What else is in there?

Factory reset via the included function, or wipe and reinstall with my own media and license key.

 

[Darkbreeze]

I totally agree with you, except my HP Envy laptop that was purchased from Best Buy was also a floor model and it came with neither. The hard drive had been wiped by their Geek Squad apparently and did not contain a recovery partition nor did it come with any of the standard boxed items. Of course it was no big to me as I had an unwrapped Windows 8.1 disc already and had planned to do a clean install just as you're suggesting. Hopefully this isn't the case in their situation but it does happen. I actually asked about it a few days after I purchased it and due to the fact it was a floor model they basically washed their hands of it.

They said if it had a problem with function they would be glad to reinstall the OS or refund my money, which of course was not going to happen as I got an 800 dollar laptop for 450 bucks but they apparently were either oblivious to the MS licensing agreement or figured it didn't apply since it was a used item. Dunno on that but anyhow it could have been an issue for another person that wasn't prepared for it.

 

[Zanorin]

Thank you USAFRet and darkbreeze for the information.
But darkbreeze's link that he gave to me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N42jqzHyCE) Worked fine for my needs if i have other problems or i find something i don't like i will be sure to use USAFRet's method.

Thank You,
Zanorin