Bill Detwiler: There are a number of reasons you might want to change or update the registration information for your Windows system, but since it requires a registry edit, it can be kind of a pain.
If you don't like editing the Windows registry directly, there's a nice little tool that will automate this task for you.
I'm Bill Detwiler, and during TR Dojo episode, I'll show you how to change the registration information on your Windows system using TechRepublic's Vista and XP Registration Changer tools.
When you install Windows Vista, a part of the installation process asks you to enter your name (the register owner) and your company s name (the registered organization). This information is displayed in the About dialog box and on the General Tab of XP's System Properties box.
If, for example, you're reassigning machines within the organization or the company's name changes, you might want to update this identifying information.
Both the registered owner and register organization values are stored in the Registry. To manually change the values in Windows XP and Vista, open the Registry Editor and navigate to the key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
There you'll find the RegisteredOwner and RegisterOrganization entries. Edit the value for each entry as necessary and then close the registry editor.
For those who would rather not muck about in the Registry, TechRepublic's Windows blogger Greg Shultz developed two utilities that will do the job for you.
The Windows Vista Registration Changer and the Registration Changer are both HTML Applications (HTAs) that combine HTML, Windows Script Host, and VBScript to create GUI applications.
Greg developed the initial tool for Windows XP and earlier versions, and updated it for Vista. You can download both versions from the TechRepublic Software Directory.
I'll be demonstrating the Vista version, but the steps essentially the same for both.
One thing that is different, since Vista employs User Account Control, running the Vista tool requires you download and install the Elevate HTML Application PowerToy, which is a part of the Elevation PowerToys for Windows Vista. I'll link to Microsoft's download site from the TR Dojo blog.
Once you download the Vista Registration Changer tool's zip file from TechRepublic, expand the file, and copy the four files inside to a folder of your choice. The files are:
- RegChange.hta, which is the HTA file you'll use to launch the application.
- RegChange.ico contains the icon that the HTA uses for the control menu and the taskbar.
- RegChangeHelp.hta is a simple Help file that tells you how to use the Vista Registration Changer, and
- ReadMe.txt contains installation instructions.
Using the Vista Registration Changer utility is easy. Just right-click on the HTA file and select the Run as Administrator command. Once you launch it, you'll see the main screen.
If you want to see the current registration information for the system, just click the Display button. The information will be displayed in the dialog box.
To change the registration information, fill in the Owner and Organization text boxes and click OK. You'll be prompted to confirm the operation before you proceed. The Vista Registration Changer will then apply the changes to the registry. You can check the results by clicking the Display button. When you're done, just click Cancel or Close.
If you want to remove the registration information rather than enter new names, just leave the text boxes blank and click OK.
As I said earlier, if you're using the earlier version of the Registry Changer tool, the steps are pretty much the same. Once you click the HTA file, you'll be prompted to choose your OS -- either Windows 95/98/ME or Windows NT/2000/XP.
Well, I hope you find Greg's tip useful or at least starting point for create your own automation utilities. If you've made such a tool or have a suggestion for one, let us know about it the TR Dojo blog.
And as always, for more teachings on your path to becoming an IT Ninja, visit trdojo.techrepublic.com. And please let us know if this tip was helpful.
You can also submit your favorite IT Ninja tips by e-mailing them to us at trdojo@techrepublic.com. If we use them for an episode of TR Dojo, we'll send you a TechRepublic coffee mug and this cool laptop sticker.
I'm Bill Detwiler. Thanks for visiting TechRepublic's TR Dojo.
