How to Change User Name Information in Microsoft Word

Today, my Microsoft user registration decided it wanted a new owner. After going to help and selecting About Microsoft Word, I found a different user name registered. I only checked because I want to make a note of my product ID number from my LEGAL copy of Microsoft Word 2003. Well, my name was no longer assigned to the software. I was evicted. How could it be? I will get into how this happened in a later post.

There are two ways to fix this. Option 1: Quick and Easy or Option 2: Geek and Tech. If you like tweaking code like I do, then Option 2 is right up your alley. However, do not blame me if your computer crashes into the tech abyss. I gave you an out! Also, see Microsoft’s notes on this process. Help and Support

Option 1 (Quick and Easy)

This change can be done in one Office program to take effect on the entire suite.

On the Tools menu, click Options.

Click the User Information tab.

Type the user name information in the Name box.

Click OK.

Option 2 (Geek and Tech)

So, to fix this problem I had to change the Microsoft UserName registry file. If you are not comfortable going into the registry stop reading now! If you have no idea what the registry is, read this. Windows Registry

Then, if you are feeling brave, continue reading below.

Click START/RUN. Type in regedit and press enter. Go to this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Common\UserInfo.

Double click on user name.

On the right side you will see the current user name. Each letter in the name will be followed by a period. Make sure to keep the periods. Delete the letters you don’t need. When you are done, click OK. Go to File, Exit to quit the registry.