I just bought a 2011 iMac and I created an account on it. I used Migration Assistant to transfer my user account and "Migrated" my files and preferences from my old MacBook. When I try to remove the user I created on Lion, It just won't delete.
It's like when I delete it, it keeps coming back as "Standard" user.
iMac, Mac OS X (10.7), Mid 2011
First, are you logged into your migrated account? Second, is it an admin account? When you delete the other account which delete option did you choose in Accounts preferences?
I'm using my migrated account and it's an admin account.
I chose everything and and it doesn't work. It shows that user has been deleted in the "Users & groups" and even the Home Folder is gone, but when I log out or restart, the deleted account is back.
So, then, when you deleted the account you used the third option to completely remove the account? Or did you use the first or second option? If that be the case go to the /Users/ folder and remove the account to the Trash, then Empty the Trash. Restart.
Tried all of the above, it doesnt make a difference. I even tried to delete that accout by using "Root" user but it still remails the same.
Have you configured your desired account for auto-login? Or is auto-login set for the other account? Do you see Fast User Switching enabled? If so you may need to switch into the other account and log out. Then switch back to your account and delete that account.
This article might help http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3981
Thanks you so much Meherally, it's working now.
Thanks to Kappy for his help too.
I get an error message when executiing the command line referenced in the tech note. Here is what I get.
williams-imac:Users bill$ sudo dscl . delete "/Users/Dad"
Password:
delete: Invalid Path
<dscl_cmd> DS Error: -14009 (eDSUnknownNodeName)
williams-imac:Users bill$
/Users/Dad is present in the FInder and in the Terminal when I execute ls.
Can't delete this account. Any ideas?
You are welcome, happy computing :)
Had the same issue as you - tried executing the command line and kept getting the same response. So I mulled over the issue for awhile and tried something pretty simple.
Based on the article, the problem seems to lie in the fact that "the user's Account Name may be the same as another user's Full Name." So what I did was to change the Full Name in the account that I wanted to keep, and then delete the other account under System Preferences - and it finally worked after many frustrating tries.
After that, I simply changed it back to its original name 🙂
Hope it works!
Worked like a champ. I have successfully deleted the account by using thismarlasinger's solution.
Cheers,
...b
Yes! Thank you "thismarlasinger". Thank you!
I tried the unix, root, and every other solution I have read on here. Zero success. Amazing how simple it really was. That should make it into Apple's technical articles on the issue. It's much easier and safer.
Thanks again.
not that simple for me! it doesn't let me change the Ful Name in any of the 2 accounts!! and i have obviously tried all the other soolutions...
anybody please?
After tried everything, the simple "tip" from thismarlasinger works. Thanks.
just in case someone else finds himslef with the problem of not being able to change the Full Name the solution is to:
got to System Preferences/users&groups /Login options/ Network Account Server /Join / Open Directory Utility/ Edit / Enable Root user / insert password/ Log out of your account / enter root account where user is "root" and password the one you entered before/ navigate to Mac Hd your user name/ change user name the way you'd change any document name/ system preferences/ users&groups / create new account by using "+" and inserting the new name you had entred before when changing your name/ mac will warn you and you go ahead and give permission / delete the old account by using "-" / disable root user (the same way you had done to enable it) and your are DONE !
hope this helps if so pls let me know
Can't Delete user Account
