I have a late 2014 27in iMac which I want to give away to charity. I have erased it OK and installed Catalina 10.15.7. When I went through the set up process I used my full name because I thought I'd have to. However, I now realise that for the charity to log in they will be using my name. I wish I'd used something like Administrator as I want it to be clear of all my details for security reasons. Can I change this?
iMac 27″, macOS 10.14
One option is to create another admin user account. Then login to that user and delete the user account you don't want to leave on the computer.
I think a better option is erase and reinstall Catalina again. But this time, when the install is complete and the Setup Assistant starts to guide you through the normal setup, don't finish it. Simply shut down the Mac at the point where you are asked to select a language. The next time the computer is turned on, the new user will be guided through the setup as if it were a new Mac fresh out of the box. (You can verify that by restarting the Mac yourself, and when the Setup Assistant begins just power down once again by holding the power button.)
One option is to create another admin user account. Then login to that user and delete the user account you don't want to leave on the computer.
I think a better option is erase and reinstall Catalina again. But this time, when the install is complete and the Setup Assistant starts to guide you through the normal setup, don't finish it. Simply shut down the Mac at the point where you are asked to select a language. The next time the computer is turned on, the new user will be guided through the setup as if it were a new Mac fresh out of the box. (You can verify that by restarting the Mac yourself, and when the Setup Assistant begins just power down once again by holding the power button.)
In fact, if you look at this link: What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support
and look closely at Step 7.2, you'll see that the proper thing is to press Command-Q to quit Setup Assistant without setting up a User account.
So I would second D.I. Johnson's advice to erase and reinstall Catalina again.
This Apple Support article explains how to delete a user account. Delete a user or group on Mac - Apple Support
Essentially, what you'll do is log into the user account you want to keep, click on System Settings-->Users & Groups-->click on the user you no longer want-->click on the exclamation symbol on the right-->delete user.
Thank you so much. Have only just had chance to do it. Actually it was slightly different. Perhaps because it's Catalina 10.15.7. I just had to click on the minus sign. Done!
I've had to have 2 operations since and I am 77. I don't feel able to go through all that erasing process again! I have started the easier option and have set up another admin user account called Administrator. I don't know exactly how to do the next bit to delete the one in my name. Could you please give more detail. I'm used to being the only user on my mac.
Change Account Name
