Gammelnok

Q: removing first user

How can I remove first user and put myself as administrator?

Regards

Henrik

iPad, iOS 7.0.3

Posted on Nov 5, 2015 12:16 AM

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Q: removing first user

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  • Helpful answers

  • by jeremy_v,

    jeremy_v jeremy_v Nov 6, 2015 12:03 PM in response to Gammelnok
    Community Specialists
    Nov 6, 2015 12:03 PM in response to Gammelnok

    Hello Henrik,
     

    Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities. 
     

    If you need to add a new administrator account on your iMac, see OS X El Capitan: Set up users on your Mac. These steps should apply to previous versions of OS X, as well. 
     

    If you need to change or reset a user account password on your Mac, this link has the steps to follow. 
     

    Safe Computing. 

  • by Gammelnok,

    Gammelnok Gammelnok Nov 7, 2015 8:05 AM in response to jeremy_v
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 7, 2015 8:05 AM in response to jeremy_v

    It's not quite the problem, it is only in rare cases, for example when I am installing a new OS, is prompted to update certain App's it is calling for the FIRST USER, i.e. the guy, who first bought the machine. I don't seem to be able to COMPLETELY erase him from the system?

    Best regards

    Henrik

  • by joe_7399,

    joe_7399 joe_7399 Nov 8, 2015 3:16 PM in response to Gammelnok
    Community Specialists
    Nov 8, 2015 3:16 PM in response to Gammelnok

    Hi Henrik, 
     

    Thank you for replying with more information. 
     

    It looks like you're being asked for the previous owner's password when you upgraded OS X and when you update some apps. Is that right?
     

    Did the first user originally download or buy those apps from the Mac App Store? If so, their password is needed to install updates. See the advice from Community member lllaass in how to change apple id in app store to conduct updates.
     

    Alternately, if you go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Users & Groups, do you see the first user's name under Other Users?
     

    Users & Groups Preference Pane


    Best Regards.

  • by Gammelnok,

    Gammelnok Gammelnok Nov 8, 2015 11:21 PM in response to joe_7399
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 8, 2015 11:21 PM in response to joe_7399

    HI JOE!

    Thank's for replying!

    No, I don't see the first user in the "Users & Groups"-menu. It was only, when I first started the OS X update. I am listed as Administrator, so maybe there is nothing to worry about?

    By the way, I still get an error-message regarding the cmd/tab-0-9 app that apparently is un-tested but I never installed such an app!

    Overtime I open Safari, the error-message pop's up and the Safari is "grayed up", it is only active, when I click on the top of it. Why do I get this error-message, I wonder?

    Screen-shot of the error-message:

    error.jpg

    Best regards

    Henrik

  • by Barney-15E,

    Barney-15E Barney-15E Nov 9, 2015 4:42 AM in response to Gammelnok
    Level 9 (50,717 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 9, 2015 4:42 AM in response to Gammelnok

    The problem isn't that he was the "first" user (this ain't Windows) or has the ability to administer the computer.

    It has to do with the AppleID that was used to purchase the software you are trying to update. He bought it and only he can update it.

     

    This is what he should have done before selling his Mac:

    What to do before selling or giving away your Mac - Apple Support

     

    AppleID's and their purchases cannot be transferred, merged, or anything of the like. You need to delete the software you are trying to update and purchase it yourself. That way, it will be your AppleID that is used to update it.

     

    However, as you have no idea what the seller could have installed on the Mac you purchased, you should completely erase the Mac as per the linked article and then purchase any software you need. Backup your Mac first, so you can use the Migration Assistant to Migrate your user back to the newly installed OS, but don't Migrate any Applications. You'll need to get the OS updated back to the current version you have before some things will work correctly with the new data structures, so when the Startup Assistant runs, create a user that doesn't have the same name as your old user. That will make migration of your old user account much easier.

  • by Gammelnok,

    Gammelnok Gammelnok Nov 9, 2015 5:37 AM in response to Barney-15E
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 9, 2015 5:37 AM in response to Barney-15E

    Well, it isn't as easy as that, while one of the reasons I bought the Mac is, that the WHOLE Adobe-pack was installed!!! Of course, I have the key to re-install the software, but I am very reluctant about the whole idea as to go through the whole process, You mentioned. I have, happily used the Adobe software for about 2 years with this Mac and there is no problems with this.

    So, I will continue as before and hope, this OS will behave!

    Thank's a lot for answering!

    Best regards

    Henrik

  • by Barney-15E,Helpful

    Barney-15E Barney-15E Nov 10, 2015 5:37 AM in response to Gammelnok
    Level 9 (50,717 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 10, 2015 5:37 AM in response to Gammelnok

    Gammelnok wrote:

     

    Well, it isn't as easy as that, while one of the reasons I bought the Mac is, that the WHOLE Adobe-pack was installed!!! Of course, I have the key to re-install the software, but I am very reluctant about the whole idea as to go through the whole process, You mentioned. I have, happily used the Adobe software for about 2 years with this Mac and there is no problems with this.

    So, I will continue as before and hope, this OS will behave!

    Thank's a lot for answering!

    Best regards

    Henrik

    As Adobe doesn't sell that through the App Store, those programs do not need to be uninstalled as they are not the problem.

    It is the App Store Apps that are tied to the old owner's AppleID.

     

    The OS is also registered under his AppleID and will prevent you from updating it or reinstalling it if needed.

    If that ever becomes necessary (dead hard drive), you will need to use Internet Recovery to install the original shipping OS. You can then upgrade that OS with your AppleID and you will then be able to do a normal re-install if needed.

  • by Gammelnok,Solvedanswer

    Gammelnok Gammelnok Nov 10, 2015 2:41 AM in response to Barney-15E
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 10, 2015 2:41 AM in response to Barney-15E

    OK! I didn't have problems with upgrading to OS-X so maybe there is no problems at all? I don't use APP's very much and those I have I didn't have problems with, updating.

    Thank's for Your help!

    Henrik