Change Mac Username
RémyJacks
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Anonymous user -
Anonymous user -
Hello,
I just acquired a MacBook Pro (second hand) and I would like to change the username while having the password, but there are applications on the account. He told me that by removing his name and password, I would unfortunately lose all of them, and I would like to keep them.
Is he correct, or can I modify them? If so, how do I proceed?
Thank you for your understanding, best regards, Rémy.
Configuration: Mac OS X / Safari 533.21.1
I just acquired a MacBook Pro (second hand) and I would like to change the username while having the password, but there are applications on the account. He told me that by removing his name and password, I would unfortunately lose all of them, and I would like to keep them.
Is he correct, or can I modify them? If so, how do I proceed?
Thank you for your understanding, best regards, Rémy.
Configuration: Mac OS X / Safari 533.21.1
2 answers
Hello,
You should not rename the old user or their directory. This would lead you to more or less serious problems depending on the version of Mac OS.
In reality, the solution is extremely simple and does not result in any loss of installed software since they are installed for all users.
Since you have the password for the current user, you go to System Preferences, under the Users section, and there you simply create a new user with your name. You assign a password to it and the rights to administer the Mac.
Once that's done, you start the Mac under your name, and as an administrator, all you have to do is delete the old user and their directory.
A helpful link:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.5/en/8235.html
Have a great day
--
Always indicate your EXACT CONFIGURATION: Mac Model and Mac OS version!
Francis Sanspseudo - iMac Intel Mac on OS 10.7 + iMac-G5 on Mac OS 10.5
You should not rename the old user or their directory. This would lead you to more or less serious problems depending on the version of Mac OS.
In reality, the solution is extremely simple and does not result in any loss of installed software since they are installed for all users.
Since you have the password for the current user, you go to System Preferences, under the Users section, and there you simply create a new user with your name. You assign a password to it and the rights to administer the Mac.
Once that's done, you start the Mac under your name, and as an administrator, all you have to do is delete the old user and their directory.
A helpful link:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.5/en/8235.html
Have a great day
--
Always indicate your EXACT CONFIGURATION: Mac Model and Mac OS version!
Francis Sanspseudo - iMac Intel Mac on OS 10.7 + iMac-G5 on Mac OS 10.5
Deleting the old account will not remove anything other than what is currently found in the old account's directory.
It will completely delete the old account along with its included folders. In the latest versions of Mac OS, you can find the following folders in each user directory:
-Documents
-Images
-Music
-Videos
-Downloads
-Public
-Sites
-Desktop
-Library
Thus, the entire directory of the old user will be deleted, which includes the aforementioned folders as well as their contents. All these folders will be recreated for the new user. In the new user's folders, these folders will obviously be empty. (blank)
If there is music in the "Old User"/Music folder that you want to keep, you must copy it elsewhere before deleting the old user. This way, you can later import it into your own Music folder using iTunes.
A directory is the folder represented by a small house icon, and it bears the "abbreviated" name of the user in service.
However, anything outside of the user directory will not be affected by this deletion in any way.
What you can do is start by creating your new administrator account and log into it, you will then see that the applications remain unchanged, and you will have your directory and new folders just for you.
It will completely delete the old account along with its included folders. In the latest versions of Mac OS, you can find the following folders in each user directory:
-Documents
-Images
-Music
-Videos
-Downloads
-Public
-Sites
-Desktop
-Library
Thus, the entire directory of the old user will be deleted, which includes the aforementioned folders as well as their contents. All these folders will be recreated for the new user. In the new user's folders, these folders will obviously be empty. (blank)
If there is music in the "Old User"/Music folder that you want to keep, you must copy it elsewhere before deleting the old user. This way, you can later import it into your own Music folder using iTunes.
A directory is the folder represented by a small house icon, and it bears the "abbreviated" name of the user in service.
However, anything outside of the user directory will not be affected by this deletion in any way.
What you can do is start by creating your new administrator account and log into it, you will then see that the applications remain unchanged, and you will have your directory and new folders just for you.
Good evening, I am roughly in the same situation except that by changing the username I think I made a mistake because I can log in but I can't open anything anymore, neither Safari nor Photos. I have an iMac with Catalina. Can I do as you say? Thank you for your reply.
Hello, it is not advisable to change the username; it is much better to create a new account (new session) with the desired name and then delete the old account that has become useless. In the past, changing the username was simply prohibited or strongly discouraged by Apple. Today, the system allows it, although it is still something to do with caution. So, if you insist: https://support.apple.com/fr-fr/HT201548 Best regards.
Hello Francis, The first link provided (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac%2F10.5%2Fen%2F8235.html) is not working (page does not exist) ????
Hi Dede, No surprise, this link is from 2011... so it's 12 years old ;)