I have three user accounts on my 2018 Mac mini. I want to delete two of them, but can't remember their passwords.

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Level 1

11 points

I have three user accounts on my 2018 Mac mini. I want to delete two of them, but can't remember their passwords.

I have three user accounts on my 2018 Mac mini. The first is my main (admin.) account that I always use. The second and third I used to use long ago for test purposes, etc., on an old 2009 mini. Unfortunately, I have forgotten the passwords for those two accounts. I am considering getting a new M4 mini, but I would like to get rid of those two dead accounts before I transfer everything to the new machine. Is there a way to do that? I realize I should have two active admin accounts in case one fails, but it's been six years since I've been into either of the accounts in question.

Mac mini, macOS 13.6

Posted on Nov 20, 2024 8:51 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Strontium90

Level 5

5,619 points

Nov 20, 2024 1:41 PM in response to OldTomBank

You should be able to go to the Apple menu > System Settings (or System Preferences if an older OS) > Users and Groups. Select the user accounts you no longer want and delete them. You will be prompted to purge the home folder or keep it.

Hope this helps.

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Answer 2

OldTomBank Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 20, 2024 5:08 PM in response to OldTomBank

Strontium90 and KiltedTim

I'm out of the woods! I tried each of the two Mac Finder Accounts and asked for the password hints. Fortunately the hints rang bells and I was able to figure out what I needed to enter. But thanks for your help. Having a warm hand to grasp when I'm ready to freak out really helped.

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Answer 3

KiltedTim

Level 10

235,158 points

Nov 20, 2024 3:43 PM in response to OldTomBank

If you use Migration assistant, you should be able to choose which accounts to migrate.

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Answer 4

OldTomBank Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 20, 2024 3:31 PM in response to Strontium90

Strontium90 Thanks so much for replying to my plea for help. Your answer, I'm sure, would have fixed things – IF I had described my problem correctly. Unfortunately [for me] I got one thing backward. The account I've been using for all my day-to-day computing is a Standard account, and the two I haven't used for six years and I've forgotten the passwords for are my ADMIN accounts! I think I'm screwed!!!

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Answer 5

BDAqua

Level 10

251,409 points

Nov 20, 2024 10:52 PM in response to OldTomBank

👍

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I have three user accounts on my 2018 Mac mini. I want to delete two of them, but can't remember their passwords.

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