ISSUE SUMMARY:
I am trying to create a register.index.php override and it doesnt seem to work. Could someone tell me the steps to do this with jomsocial/socialize

Hi, Michael.

Please, read this: documentation.jomsocial.com/wiki/Customizing_Template
If you want to override file you mentioned you need to copy it to:

ROOT/templates/socialize/html/com_community/layouts/ (if you don't have those folders - feel free to create them)

I have followed your instruction and I've read that page. For some reason the file will not override it. I am using the socialize template and have attempted to comment out the first text box upon registration *name* (which I will prefill) But the file is not being overridden. The file changes I have made and location are as follows.

LINE 44 : ROOT/templates/socialize/html/com_community/layouts/register.index.php

<li style="display:none;">

Hi, Mischa.

Because you override wrong file. You should show printscreen on the first place ;)

Override this file: ROOT/components/com_community/templates/jomsocial/layouts/register/base.php