We cannot delete user data
Solved
gouna
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_Ritchi_ Posted messages 21130 Registration date Status Contributor Last intervention -
_Ritchi_ Posted messages 21130 Registration date Status Contributor Last intervention -
Hello,
I’m having a problem with an iMac 2017 running Catalina.
The previous owner had an admin session, I tried to create my own admin session and delete theirs.
Their session had no password.
I’m unable to delete their account (I only managed to change it to a normal user). When prompted to delete the user, it asks for the password of the session to delete, but there is no password.
I attempted deletion via Terminal with the command:
sudo rm /private/var/db/dslocal/nodes/Default/users/proprio.plist
The name of the session to delete is "proprio".
I receive the following error message:
"Operation not permitted", even though I have allowed Terminal in Accessibility (or permissions).
Do you have a solution to suggest?
Thanks :-)
I’m having a problem with an iMac 2017 running Catalina.
The previous owner had an admin session, I tried to create my own admin session and delete theirs.
Their session had no password.
I’m unable to delete their account (I only managed to change it to a normal user). When prompted to delete the user, it asks for the password of the session to delete, but there is no password.
I attempted deletion via Terminal with the command:
sudo rm /private/var/db/dslocal/nodes/Default/users/proprio.plist
The name of the session to delete is "proprio".
I receive the following error message:
"Operation not permitted", even though I have allowed Terminal in Accessibility (or permissions).
Do you have a solution to suggest?
Thanks :-)
6 answers
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Hello,
Is the session you created for your daily use really an admin type?
Since buying this Mac, have you put a lot of data on it?
If yes, then you should back it up to an external storage via TimeMachine, then after the backup is done you could reinstall MacOS Catalina and take the opportunity to reformat the disk which will erase all present data and allow you to start fresh and create your user account with the name you like and the password.
If this solution appeals to you, let’s talk about it.
Ritchi -
Hello,
Thank you for your response.
Yes, the session is indeed in Admin, and the data is about 55GB (and backed up on an external HDD but not via TimeMachine).
The previous owner told me that he had installed Big Sur on the iMac, then managed to revert to Catalina because Big Sur didn’t run well, while specifying that he had to tinker with it because logically it wouldn’t be feasible (I’m only reporting these remarks).
The idea of starting from a clean slate is appealing indeed! -
Hello,
Here are the 3 key combinations that will restart your Mac in macOS Recovery mode and thus allow you to reinstall macOS X, reformat your disk, etc., and this with a Wi‑Fi or wired internet connection (strongly recommended):
• ""Command (⌘) + R"" : installs the latest version of macOS that was present on your Mac, i.e., Mac OS X 10.15 "Catalina"
• ""Option + ⌘ + R"" : upgrades to the most recent macOS version compatible with your Mac, i.e., MacOS 12 "Monterey"
• ""Shift + Option + ⌘ + R"" : installs the macOS version that came with your Mac when new (Mac OS X 10.12 "Sierra"), or the closest version still available.
Here is the Apple link indicating How to obtain older versions of macOS.
Note that you must press the key combination as soon as the Mac starts and keep the press until the desired result appears, namely the emergence of the macOS Utilities window
If you want, before diving into a reinstall, you could perform repairs on your system as explained here: Maintain and repair macOS X (10.11, 10.12, 10.13 and later).
Indeed, it may be just a permissions issue (read, write, execute) not properly assigned to system files. It doesn’t hurt to try!
Ritchi -
Hello,
Thank you for these clarifications!
I am preparing a bootable USB with Catalina on it, we’ll go back to a solid base.
Regarding Monterey, not a bad idea to move to it later, but I think before that an SSD will need to be installed (probably next year).
Thank you! -
Hello,
Just a quick note to get an update on your Mac.
Ritchi -
Hello,
The complete reinstallation is finished, and it was necessary; I found duplicate volumes "data, data 1," etc.
So a full disk format and we’re back to a healthy baseline.
The Mac no longer suffers from strange slowdowns now, everything is OK, thanks to you!
Now we just have to get back to work!
