idenizen

Q: how to change home directory name?

HI,

 

Just wondering if anybody has a solutiuon for this?

Mac OS X (10.7.5), iphone

Posted on Nov 6, 2012 12:43 PM

Close

Q: how to change home directory name?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Nov 6, 2012 1:04 PM in response to idenizen
    Level 10 (123,765 points)
    Nov 6, 2012 1:04 PM in response to idenizen

    Changing the account name

     

    Though there are other methods by which an advanced user may change the short name and related information, the easier and safer workaround is described below.

    Before following these steps, you may wish to back up your important data.

    For Mac OS X v10.5 or later

    1. Enable the root user.
    2. Log in as root.
    3. Navigate to the /Users folder.
    4. Select the Home folder with the short name you want to change, and rename it just like you would rename any folder. Keep in mind that the shortname must be all lowercase, with no spaces, and only contain letters.
    5. Use the Users & Groups pane (Accounts pane in Mac OS X v10.6.8 or earlier) in System Preferences to create a new user with the Account name or Short Name that you used in the previous step.
    6. Click OK when "A folder in the Users folder already has the name 'account name'. Would you like to use that folder as the Home folder for this user account?" appears. Note: This will correct the ownership of all files in the Home folder, and avoid  permissions issues with the contents.
    7. Choose Log Out from the Apple menu.
    8. Log in as the newly created user. You should be able to access all of your original files (on the desktop, in Documents, and in the other folders of this Home).
    9. After verifying that your data is as expected, you can delete the original user account via the Users & Groups pane (Accounts pane in Mac OS X v10.6.8 or earlier).
    10. Disable the root user.

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1428

  • by idenizen,

    idenizen idenizen Nov 6, 2012 1:08 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Nov 6, 2012 1:08 PM in response to BDAqua

    I'll try it and report back after, with OS 10.7.5.

  • by idenizen,

    idenizen idenizen Nov 6, 2012 3:48 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Nov 6, 2012 3:48 PM in response to BDAqua

    How do I log in as root?  I logged out and at the stadard log in for other, I typed "root" as user, then I typed my pasword.

     

    The screen does a slow flash (not a shake as with a bad log in) and the returns to the log in menu.

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Nov 6, 2012 4:16 PM in response to idenizen
    Level 10 (123,765 points)
    Nov 6, 2012 4:16 PM in response to idenizen
    • Any user with an administrator account can become the root user or reset the root password.

    What PW did you make for root?

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1528

  • by idenizen,

    idenizen idenizen Nov 6, 2012 4:36 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Nov 6, 2012 4:36 PM in response to BDAqua

    An alpha-numeric PW.

     

    I followed previous directions, so where to log in as user: root, if not at stndard Apple GUI?

  • by baltwo,Helpful

    baltwo baltwo Nov 6, 2012 4:42 PM in response to idenizen
    Level 9 (62,256 points)
    Nov 6, 2012 4:42 PM in response to idenizen

    No need to enable root. Try ths: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3872

  • by idenizen,

    idenizen idenizen Nov 6, 2012 4:55 PM in response to baltwo
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Nov 6, 2012 4:55 PM in response to baltwo

    I'd been experimenting with something similar and it worked.

     

    I created a new admin user, then logged in as the new admin and changed the name if the old admin user home directory to the the name I wanted.  Then I went to the advanced options in Users & Groups for the old admin and set the account name and home directory to what I wanted.

     

    I logged out adn then logged in as the old admin, adn everything is working.  I restarted and logged in and it's still fine.

     

    The Spotlight ref uis probaly good so I will get to that.

     

    Thanks,

     

    Inoshi

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Nov 6, 2012 10:26 PM in response to baltwo
    Level 10 (123,765 points)
    Nov 6, 2012 10:26 PM in response to baltwo

    Nice work baltwo, thanks!

  • by baltwo,

    baltwo baltwo Nov 6, 2012 11:12 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 9 (62,256 points)
    Nov 6, 2012 11:12 PM in response to BDAqua

    thumbsup.gif

  • by JenniferFromKettleFalls,

    JenniferFromKettleFalls JenniferFromKettleFalls Jan 9, 2014 10:03 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 9, 2014 10:03 PM in response to BDAqua

    I am attempting to do this as well, however I am experiencing problems with renaming the Home folder. I have OS X Lion 10.7.5. I looked up how to change a folder name for OS X Lion and this is what it had to say: "You can change the name of most files, folders, and disks in the Finder. You can’t rename your home folder (the one with your name on it)."  Source: http://support.apple.com/kb/PH3751

     

    WHY can't we rename the home folder on OS X Lion? Is there really no way around it?

  • by baltwo,

    baltwo baltwo Jan 9, 2014 11:02 PM in response to JenniferFromKettleFalls
    Level 9 (62,256 points)
    Jan 9, 2014 11:02 PM in response to JenniferFromKettleFalls

    The link I posted should give you the steps.