Removing the Guest User

Hi, some people claim that the guest user is not removable. If it's true, I'd like to know the logic behind this:

  1. Why on my Mac the Guest user wasn't displayed before on the startup.
  2. Why on my Macbook there's no guest user and only one user is displayed.
  3. Why checking the box "Allow guest user to log into this computer" in Users & Groups makes no difference? When I click on a guest user it suggests to run in a safe mode any way.


Or just please advise how to remove the guest user. Thanks!

Mac mini, macOS 11.6

Posted on Nov 17, 2021 7:48 AM

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13 replies

Nov 17, 2021 3:49 PM in response to apaclin

That is correct, the Guest User account is not removable.


That said, unchecking the Allow guests to log into this computer, disables access to login as a guest and therefore the person logging must use a known user account and password. It is a security measure.


To your MacBook, what version of MacOS is it on? Also, I suspect the single account you have setup is an Admin account and not a Standard User (if you check Users & Groups in System Preferences, I suspect it is there).


Cheers,


Anthony

Nov 18, 2021 9:50 AM in response to apaclin

This image doesn't resemble the Login screen on my Catalina Macs.

Neither is that the standard Catalina response for a Guest User login.

Something is different about your Catalina OS. What is it?

Is this Mac being managed by an employer's IT dept or other group? It may explain why you're chasing your tail here.

If you look in System Preferences do you see a selection called Profiles?

Nov 18, 2021 7:10 AM in response to apaclin

No one here can answer "why" Apple has made a specific interface choice.


It's not clear what you mean by "When I click on guest user it suggest to run in safe mode any way." Guest user and safe mode aren't directly related. Safe mode is a diagnostic mode. To me, it sounds as if there may be something else going on.


What is your concern with having Guest User on your computer?

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Removing the Guest User

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