Office 2007 name edit question

SilverGator · 29 Oct 2009

Hey everyone. I know this is probably not the correct Web site to post this in. However, it is the only site where I have found helpful and intelligent users who I can trust. So please help if possible.

When installing Office 2007 onto my new Windows 7, I forgot to input my name and company name as default. I have absolutely no idea (a) how or (b) if I can go back and set this.

If anyone knows, I would greatly appreciate it. And yes, I already searched Google for a half hour without finding an answer! :)

Disk4mat · 30 Oct 2009

Well I have never tried to to edit/change that info from within an Office app. I spend my days combing the registry. I happened upon the key that you need though.

Open regedit and goto the following key...
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Common\UserInfo

There in the right pane you can double click to enter your company name, user name and initials.

I attached a screenshot. Let me know if you need anything else.

SilverGator · 30 Oct 2009

I really didn't want to do a Registry edit. I mean, just installed Windows 7 and don't want to mess anything. Is there any other way? Is that safe? How would I get there?

jake66 · 30 Oct 2009

Yes, it is safe as long as you use it exactly as directed. You can get onto it by going to run and then typing "regedit". I hope you suceed!

TheSchaft · 30 Oct 2009

SilverGator said:

I really didn't want to do a Registry edit. I mean, just installed Windows 7 and don't want to mess anything. Is there any other way? Is that safe? How would I get there?

The alternative is to remove and re-install Office 2007, a real pain.

Here are the steps:

1. In the Orb's white box, enter "regedit" (without the quotes)
2. Click on the program (regedit) that will appear
3. Answer yes to the UAC prompt about changing things.
4. Click on "Computer" at the top of the right pane in regedit
5. Click on "File" - "Export..."
6. Make sure "Export range" at the bottom is set to "All"
7. pick a name for the ".reg" file - it will probably default to saving it in your "My Documents" folder.

Now you have a backup of the registry in case anything goes sideways.

8. Follow the path from the post above and make the changes. (You'll first click on the triangle next to KEY_CURRENT_USER, then scroll down to Software, do the same click, then scroll down to Microsoft, then to Office then to Common then to UserInfo)
9. After you have made the changes, Exit.

I know it seems daunting, but just take it a step at a time, and remember that you have a backup saved.

SilverGator · 30 Oct 2009

So after going through all that and being worried the whole time - I find out it was all filled in automatically (I suppose based on my computer name).

Hysterical. Thank you VERY much for the instructions. At least I have a back-up of my registry now.

Disk4mat · 30 Oct 2009

For the sake of simplicity I created a tool to edit the user info. I used VS 2008 and did it in VB. Uses .NET v2 so the tool will run under Vista and W7 without installing.

Unzip the file and run. Change user info and click Save.

Tested with Office 2007 and W7 x86

TheSchaft · 30 Oct 2009

SilverGator said:

So after going through all that and being worried the whole time - I find out it was all filled in automatically (I suppose based on my computer name).

Hysterical. Thank you VERY much for the instructions. At least I have a back-up of my registry now.

Glad it all worked out for the best... :)

Disk4mat said:

For the sake of simplicity I created a tool to edit the user info. I used VS 2008 and did it in VB. Uses .NET v2 so the tool will run under Vista and W7 without installing.

Unzip the file and run. Change user info and click Save.

Tested with Office 2007 and W7 x86

Nice. Thanks. :)

sygnus21 · 30 Oct 2009

Even simpler, though you can't add you Company Name, you could just click the orb in one of the office products (2007) click, in this example, "Word Options", click "Popular", look for "Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office" and there you have it, you can input your name and initials. No scripts or registry hacks required. :)