MS licensing

[Mhollinr]

I recently got an older computer from a friend, my question- is it legal to change the name of the licensed user of MS Word, Excel etc. The computer already had the software installed, and it is only installed on this computer. I just want to change it from His name to mine, if it is legal. If so how do you do it without the origional cd's?

thanks

[glc]

Technically, if you don't have the "certificate of authenticity" for the software, it's not legal. Possession of the original CD's is actually immaterial.

[Mhollinr]

Are you saying that leaglly I would have to delete the programs from the computer if I didn't get the origionall c.o.a. with it? Because I know he lost them. I say that only because I don't want people thinking he gave me the computer with it on there and kept the program to put on his new computer....

[glc]

Yes, that's what I'm saying, legally.

To do what you want requires registry editing, easiest way is search for his name and replace it.

[Tuf]

In Word go tools>options>user information. It will change the name in all the Office programs you have installed.

That won't resolve any license conflicts you have but it will change the name on the docs you create.