How Do I Delete Administrator Account

Question

How Do I Delete Administrator Account

I am giving my computer away to my wife, and I am trying to clear as much hard drive space as possible. After deleting my home file, I want to delete all vestiges of my account to free up more space.

However, when I go to the Accounts in the system preferences, and after unlocking so I can make changes, I am not able to click the delete ➖ button since it is not highlighted.

Is there a way to do this? If not, can I delete my library folder to clear up more hard drive space without deleting anything crucial that would make the computer or other applications not work for my wife

Thanks.

Russell

iMac G4, iMac G5, iBook G4, MacBook Pro, iPhone, iPhone 3G, ATV, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Oct 16, 2008 4:05 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

roam

Level 6

13,631 points

Oct 16, 2008 5:00 AM in response to Russell Massey

Rather than untangle that knot (deleting your Home folder has destroyed that account anyway), the better course of action for handing on a computer is to do an Erase and Install, then your wife can set up her own account on a freshly installed system without carrying over any previous damage from well intentioned but potentially damaging hacking about.

Insert your Install disk 1 into the drive and then Restart, and hold down the C key to take you to the installation windows.
Select your language, the start up Volume and choose Erase and Install.
At the point your registration process starts, abandon the registration, quit and eject the disk and switch of the computer.
This will allow your wife a freshly installed system, whereby she can complete the registration process herself. Remember to hand on the Install disks.

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Answer 2

Oct 16, 2008 6:36 AM in response to roam

Thanks.

I don't know why I didn't think of that myself.

After that process, she can then use the target disk mode to transfer her files and settings over onto the macbook pro. I assume that is correct.

Thanks again.

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Answer 3

roam

Level 6

13,631 points

Oct 16, 2008 7:05 AM in response to Russell Massey

You're welcome Russell.
Target disk mode would be good, or even Migration Assistant depending if the old OS she is transferring from is another 10.5 or 10.4. Also if the older files are coming off an older PPC machine, then consider this informative article to assist in this transfer.

A Basic Guide for Migrating to Intel-Macs by Kappy

That about covers all bases. Good luck with the new setup.

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Answer 4

Oct 16, 2008 6:40 PM in response to roam

Thanks again for the really helpful information.

It's people like you that make me realize how good these forums can be and are.

Russell

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Answer 5

Oct 24, 2008 7:36 AM in response to roam

I am also handing my MacbBook Pro to my wife 🙂
I am thinking about deleting my account (which is an admin, of course). I made her an admin account and she has access to all my apps when she logs in...

I WANT her to have access to my applications as if they were hers even when my account is deleted (e.g. Adobe CS3, Skype, etc.).

My Question:

When I delete my admin account (with which the applications were installed), will she automatically not have access to the apps in the "applications folder" anymore? In other words, when I delete the admin account with which the application where installed, do all applications and setting from that account get deleted as well from all other users?

Thank you.

(transfering, sync'ing, etc. can be so easy but such a headache from a personal standpoint: managing changes) 😟

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