When you install Windows 11 or buy a prebuilt PC, the system automatically assigns a registered owner name — often your Microsoft account name, the manufacturer’s name, or even something generic like “User” or “Admin.”
While it might seem trivial, this registered owner name can appear in various system areas — such as About your PC, Registry settings, or software license info. If you want your PC to reflect your identity or business name, knowing how to change the registered owner name in Windows 11 can make your system feel truly yours.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through several easy methods to change the registered owner name, explain what it affects, and share tips to do it safely without damaging your Windows configuration.
What Is the Registered Owner Name in Windows 11?
The Registered Owner Name is a system-level identifier stored in the Windows Registry that specifies the name of the individual or organization that “owns” the Windows installation.
It was more visible in older versions of Windows (like Windows XP and Windows 7), but even in Windows 11, certain software programs and system utilities still display it in license dialogs or about windows.
📌 In short:
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It’s not your Microsoft account name.
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It’s not your PC’s user name.
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It’s simply a registry entry identifying who Windows is registered to.
Why You Might Want to Change It
You might want to update your registered owner name for several reasons:
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🧍 The name shows as “Admin”, “User”, or “OEM” — and you want it personalized.
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🏢 You’re repurposing or selling your computer and want to reflect new ownership.
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💼 You’re using a work PC and want to register it under your company name.
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🧹 You just did a fresh Windows 11 installation and want clean system details.
Changing it is quick, safe, and doesn’t affect your user accounts or files — it simply updates system metadata.
Where You Can See the Registered Owner Name
The registered owner name appears in several places:
| Location | Path or Method |
|---|---|
| System Information Window | Run → winver |
| Registry Editor | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion |
| About Windows Dialog | Press Windows + R, type winver, press Enter |
| Some Installed Apps | In “About” or “License” sections |
Check Your Current Registered Owner Name
Before you change anything, it’s a good idea to check what your system currently lists.
✅ Method 1: Using “winver”
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Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
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Type
winverand press Enter. -
A small window will open showing:
“Microsoft Windows
© 2025 Microsoft Corporation.
Licensed to: [Your Name]”
The name after “Licensed to” is your registered owner.
✅ Method 2: Using the Registry
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Press Windows + R, type
regedit, and press Enter. -
Navigate to:
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Look for the entries:
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RegisteredOwner -
RegisteredOrganization
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These values show your current registered owner and organization name.
How to Change Registered Owner Name in Windows 11 (4 Methods)
You can update the registered owner name using the Registry Editor, Command Prompt, PowerShell, or optional third-party utilities.
Let’s go through each step-by-step.
🧩 Method 1: Change Registered Owner via Registry Editor
This is the most direct and reliable way to change the registered owner name.
⚠️ Important:
Editing the Registry can affect system settings. Always back it up first:
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Open Registry Editor
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Click File → Export → Save Backup
Steps:
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Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
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Navigate to:
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In the right pane, locate:
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RegisteredOwner
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RegisteredOrganization
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Double-click RegisteredOwner.
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In the Value data field, type your preferred name (e.g., John Doe or TechWorld).
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Click OK.
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Optionally, change RegisteredOrganization the same way.
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Close Registry Editor and restart your computer.
Now your system will show the updated name.
⚙️ Method 2: Change Registered Owner Using Command Prompt
If you prefer command-line methods, Command Prompt can modify registry values directly.
Steps:
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Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
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Press Windows + X → select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
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Run the following commands (replace the names with your own):
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Press Enter after each command.
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You’ll see “The operation completed successfully.”
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Restart your PC to apply the change.
✅ Verification: Run winver again — your new name will appear under “Licensed to.”
💻 Method 3: Change Registered Owner Using PowerShell
PowerShell offers a more modern scripting approach — great for automating the process.
Steps:
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Open PowerShell as Administrator:
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Right-click Start → choose Windows PowerShell (Admin).
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Run these commands (edit the names accordingly):
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Press Enter.
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PowerShell will silently apply the change.
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Restart your PC and run
winverto confirm.
🧰 Method 4: Change Registered Owner via Third-Party Tools (Optional)
If you prefer a graphical tool and want to avoid manual registry edits, third-party utilities can help.
Popular options:
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Winaero Tweaker
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Advanced System Tweaker
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O&O ShutUp10++
Using Winaero Tweaker, for example:
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Download and install Winaero Tweaker from the official site.
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Open the app → Navigate to Information → Registered Owner.
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Enter your new owner and organization name.
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Click Apply Changes → Restart PC.
These tools simplify registry changes but always download them from official sources only to avoid malware.
How to Verify the New Owner Name
After changing the name using any method, confirm it worked correctly.
✅ Option 1: Check via “winver”
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Press Windows + R → type
winver→ press Enter. -
The updated name should appear under “Licensed to.”
✅ Option 2: Check via Registry
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Open
regedit→ navigate to: -
Confirm the RegisteredOwner and RegisteredOrganization values reflect your edits.
Does Changing the Registered Owner Affect Licensing?
No — changing the registered owner name does not affect your Windows license or activation.
It’s purely a cosmetic and informational field.
Your Windows product key, digital license, and Microsoft account remain untouched.
You can safely modify this without risking activation issues or data loss.
Common Issues and How to Fix Them
Here are some possible problems you might encounter — and their fixes:
❌ 1. “Access Denied” When Editing Registry
Cause: You didn’t open the Registry Editor with Administrator privileges.
Fix: Right-click regedit.exe → Run as Administrator → retry.
❌ 2. The Value Doesn’t Change After Restart
Cause: Registry caching or incorrect key path.
Fix:
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Ensure you’re editing this exact path:
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Restart your PC after editing.
❌ 3. “Registry Editing Has Been Disabled by Your Administrator”
Cause: Group Policy restrictions (common on work PCs).
Fix:
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Contact your IT admin, or if you own the device:
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Run Command Prompt (Admin).
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Execute:
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❌ 4. PowerShell or CMD Commands Don’t Work
Fix: Ensure you’re using Administrator mode and correct syntax.
Example for PowerShell:
❌ 5. Still Seeing Old Name in Some Apps
Some older applications cache registration details. Try:
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Restarting your PC.
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Clearing temporary files:
FAQs
1. Can I change the registered owner name in Windows 11 Home?
Yes. All editions of Windows 11 (Home, Pro, Enterprise) allow this change.
2. Will changing the registered owner affect my Microsoft account?
No. It only changes the local registry entry, not your Microsoft account profile or sign-in information.
3. Can I use special characters or spaces in the new name?
Yes, but avoid overly long or unusual symbols to ensure compatibility with software that reads registry data.
4. Does this affect my PC’s hostname or computer name?
No. The registered owner name is separate from your PC name.
To change the PC name, go to:
5. Can I change both owner and organization to blank?
Yes — just leave the Value Data field empty in Registry Editor, and Windows will treat it as blank.
🏁 Conclusion
Changing the registered owner name in Windows 11 is a simple, quick, and safe process that helps personalize your PC or align it with your organization.