This is my new computer. It is in my sister's name and I bought it

Question

I bought this computer from my sister. It is still in her name. I want to make this my primary laptop but cannot get it in my name. Can you please help me. I want to gather the info off my other laptop and put it on. I can't sign in because Jo said she don't remember anything about the computer.

Answer 1

Hello, can you still sign in to Windows using any account on that laptop?

Open Settings, go to Accounts, then Family and other users, add a new user with your Microsoft account, then select that account and change it to Administrator, sign out, and sign in to your new account, then go back to Accounts, remove your sister’s account from the device. This will make your account the main owner without needing her login and gives you full control of the laptop.

Answer 2

To use this Windows 11 laptop as the primary device under a personal account, create or use a Microsoft account that belongs to the new owner, then move files from the old laptop.

Because the previous owner (your sister) does not remember the account details, the simplest path is:

1. Sign in with a new or existing Microsoft account
   • On the laptop, go to Settings → Accounts → Your info.
   • If it is currently signed in with your sister’s Microsoft account and allows adding a new account, add a new Microsoft personal account that belongs to the new owner.
   • If sign-in is blocked because the old password is unknown, use the Can’t sign in or Forgot password options only if the new owner controls the recovery info. Otherwise, perform a clean reinstall of Windows 11 and set it up as a new PC with the new owner’s Microsoft account.
   • After setup, manage the new account and device from the Microsoft account dashboard: Microsoft account dashboard.
2. Move files from the old laptop to this one If cloud transfer is not being used, copy data manually:
   • Connect an external hard drive or network drive to the old laptop.
   • Copy personal files (Documents, Pictures, Desktop, etc.) from the old laptop to the external drive.
   • Connect the same drive to the new laptop and copy the files into the corresponding folders.
   Alternatively, if both PCs support the Windows 11 transfer experience and are on the same network, use the Windows Backup transfer feature:
   • On the previous PC:
     1. Make sure it is updated to the latest cumulative updates for Windows 10 or Windows 11.
     2. Open the Windows Backup app.
     3. Select Transfer information to a new PC.
   • Prepare and pair the new PC:
     1. Ensure both PCs are on the same Wi‑Fi or LAN and plugged into power.
     2. During setup of the new PC (Out-of-box experience), when asked if information should be transferred from another PC, choose to transfer.
     3. In Windows Backup on the old PC, note the PC name shown and enter it on the new PC.
     4. On the new PC, a one-time code appears; enter that code in Windows Backup on the old PC.
     5. After pairing, select which files and folders to transfer, then start the transfer.
3. If sign-in problems persist
   • For issues managing or signing in to the Microsoft account, use the guided tools under Can’t sign in from the Microsoft account help page: Get help with your Microsoft account.
   • If the original Microsoft account cannot be recovered and the device cannot be accessed, a clean reinstall of Windows 11 and setup with the new owner’s Microsoft account is required.

Once the new account is set up and files are transferred, this laptop effectively becomes the primary device for the new owner.

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References:

• Move your files to a new Windows PC
• Use a screen reader to move data to a new PC
• Transfer your files and settings to a new Windows PC
• Get help with your Microsoft account