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Can't Delete Admin Account

Hi All I recently got a new mac and upgraded it to mountain lion and then used migration assistant to move my things over, but now I have 2 admin accounts and I can't delete 1 of the please help.

Mac mini, OS X Mountain Lion

Posted on Aug 3, 2012 3:20 PM

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Posted on Jan 17, 2017 2:41 AM

I was having the same problem, then I realized that the account I was trying to delete was logged in. (If you click on the user's account name in the top right corner you can see an orange checkmark appears beside all the account that are currently logged in). So I went back to the account I was trying to delete to make sure I logged out (this by clicking on the apple at the top left corner and selecting "log out USER" or press Shift + Cmd + Q. Then you can go back to the admin account you want to keep, and now the subtraction button and the account you want to delete should be clickable 🙂 I hope it works, thank God it did for me 😀

18 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 17, 2017 2:41 AM in response to Someone in the world

I was having the same problem, then I realized that the account I was trying to delete was logged in. (If you click on the user's account name in the top right corner you can see an orange checkmark appears beside all the account that are currently logged in). So I went back to the account I was trying to delete to make sure I logged out (this by clicking on the apple at the top left corner and selecting "log out USER" or press Shift + Cmd + Q. Then you can go back to the admin account you want to keep, and now the subtraction button and the account you want to delete should be clickable 🙂 I hope it works, thank God it did for me 😀

Oct 30, 2016 8:53 AM in response to tygb

yeah, I tried to do this as instructed, but the problem is: The account I want to delete nor the minus is highlighted, so I can't click.


I need to delete this account in order to transfer data from one mac to this one. Im not able to do this because this admin account (that I want to delete) is not automatically logged off when transferring is about to start. (Im sorry my english is not very good, so maybe you dont understand what Im trying to explain...)..

Nov 18, 2013 12:34 PM in response to Someone in the world

I'm facing the same problem now. My primary admin account will not recogize it's own directory or appear in the list of users. It also keeps logging in as ROOT causing the issue. Disabled ROOT account and still the issue every few days. I initally went around the issue by redirecting to it's proper directory and changing to enter name and password. But it keeps happening.


Even as ROOT the remove button cannot be clicked for admin accounts... like reported it is greyed out. I'm just going to do it manually in directory utility and will repost for others reference if it works or I find an alternate solution.

Nov 18, 2013 1:09 PM in response to Someone in the world

Hopefully problem is solved... all appears back to normal.


1) Log in as another admin.

2) Unlock the users pane with admin password.

3) Login options button at bottom of list.

4) Network Account Server to the right > Click Join button.

5) Open Directory Utility > Directory Editor Tab.

6) Click on lock in the upper right and authenticate as admin (if it says not authenticated).

7) Select desired user from list > Click Minus at bottom of List > Click Delete Button.

8) Create new admin account with same Long Name and Short Name > Reboot into this account.

9) Reopen user and accounts pane and unlock as needed.

10) Ctrl/Right click the user name > Advanced Options.

11) Click choose to the right of Home Directory item.

12) Navigate to and open Home Directory > Click OK.

13) Reboot into user again.

14) Navigate to Home Directory in Finder > Ctrl/RIght click > Get Info.

15) Expand Sharing and permissions > Authenticate as Admin.

16) Select the account > Click tool icon > Make owner > Click Tool Icon > Apply to enclosed.

17) Reboot into user again and all should be well.

Oct 30, 2016 8:09 AM in response to Someone in the world

Hello !

Please open system preferences > users and groups > open pad lock ( enter admin name & password ) , select the user that is to be deleted , click on minus sign on bottom side .

A window appears select the last option as in screen shot .This screen shot is of Mac OS Sierra and its so long I don't remember what exactly is in Mountain lion .

But for sure we have to click delete the home folder securely ( some different sentence must be written in Mountain Lion ) . Lastly click on delete user .

A screen shot for reference .

User uploaded file

Can't Delete Admin Account

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