Admin Logging out other users

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Admin Logging out other users

I currently have my Macbook set up for fast-user switching with 1 admin user (me) and one other standard user.

My question is: with the standard user having their own password (which I don't have access to) is their a way (either GUI or Terminal based) that I can log that user out without having to shutdown entirely or resetting the password on the standard account just to log out?

Macbook, Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Sep 17, 2008 2:45 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Király

Level 6

10,025 points

Sep 24, 2008 12:43 PM in response to HistoryStudent1113

You can launch Activity Monitor, set it to display "other users' processes", and find the "loginwindow" process running under that user. Force quitting that will log the user out. You will need to enter the admin password when prompted.

WARNING. This will terminate all processes running under that user immediately. No open files will be saved. Depending on what is running it could even result in data corruption in that account. So do this with caution and be aware of the risks. I personally would not do it for any local user account on my machine, except for my kids accounts, which only have a few basic apps and Simple Finder set.

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Answer 2

RodneyW

Level 4

3,041 points

Sep 18, 2008 3:45 AM in response to HistoryStudent1113

Yes.

Just enter the admin username and password, and you will gain access to the other user's GUI session. You can then log them out.

Cheers,

Rodney

Edit: I am assuming that you are entering through a locked screen saver.

Message was edited by: RodneyW

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Answer 3

Sep 24, 2008 12:08 PM in response to RodneyW

No, I mean when either entering from the Login screen or Fast-User switching.

As an example, I have had the standard user running in the background for 3 days now...aside from rebooting is there anyway to logout that user?

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