I just purchased a MacBook air and was trying to set up user preferences, however the button that would allow user to administer this computer is greyed out for some reason and it's also unchecked, so I can't really make any changes to the computer. Any tips on how I can get around this? This is my first MacBook so I'm kinda lost. Thanks!
If the computer were previously owned and was left without preparation for new
owner to set it up properly, then that could result in situation such as you suggest.
Not enough is known or said here to draw any conclusion or offer real ideas.
(Also possible the user account was not admin; or has password on mac, etc.)
IF you did get a 'second-hand' mac that had not been de-personalized;
this article covers preliminary steps to do before selling a used mac.
• What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac - Apple Support
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201065
If the computer were previously owned and was left without preparation for new
owner to set it up properly, then that could result in situation such as you suggest.
Not enough is known or said here to draw any conclusion or offer real ideas.
(Also possible the user account was not admin; or has password on mac, etc.)
IF you did get a 'second-hand' mac that had not been de-personalized;
this article covers preliminary steps to do before selling a used mac.
• What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac - Apple Support
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201065
My reply made a leap under assumption that no user password
was available; &/or system is owned by another user.
Perhaps there had been security enabled; if so then an owner
could take proof of purchase, to Apple and ask for help.
Another maybe remote possibility, may be to try and set a new admin user;
if that could work to give admin rights to change the system. Otherwise it
could be locked in one of several ways.
To start in macOS Recovery, to see if the macbook would allow another
'owner' to try an erase and install ~ a new system.
• How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery - Apple Support
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904
That's a stretch. ~ Could be leap of faith..🌻☃️
Unlock the padlock at the bottom left of the window in systempreferences. Does this make any difference?
Macbook air: "allow user to administer this computer" button GREYED OUT in system preferences?
