how do I rename my account name in mountain lion

Go to system preferences and select users/groups. then select your account in the sidebar to the left and you will see a number of things, including a text box were you can edit your account name (you will have to enter your password first).

File a bug reportwith Apple for lost functionality or poorly documented procedures.

Don't follow those instructions. They are just awful. Use my User Tip instead: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3872

You will have to use the Terminal briefly but it is easier than Apple's official instructions.

Are your files actually in the location they need to be? Did you do the "mv oldshortname newshortname" part correctly? I just updated my document to be more explicit about that part.

If your files are where they should be in the Finder, then the problem is just in Spotlight. Go back to my User Tip and do the new Step 9 that shows how to reindex your home directory. I just tested the process and this will get All My Files working again. Thanks for finding that. Now I have a good reason to ask Apple to change their document but Apple's instructions would have the same result.

All of you are doing this the hard way.

Go to Users & Groups in System Preferences, unlock it, highlight the user name, Control click on the name and select, "Advanced Options." There, you can change the short name (account name) and the Home directory name.

I give you credit for not believing what you read on the internet - always a good idea. However, just changing the home directory in System Preferences will not move any existing files. You still have to do that manually and rebuild the Spotlight index. Plus, I don't want to change the paths to preference files that are currently open so it is best to do this from a different account.

Excuse me, I under estimated your powers of self promotion.

Sorry. No offense intended. I'm a programmer. There is nothing I like better than having someone double-check me. If you see someone saying something wrong or that could be done better here on the forums, please let them know - especially if it is me.

etresoft,

Maybe you can help me.. I'm pulling out my hair. I had my brand new MacBook Pro replaced today because of a faulty display, and spent the day migrating.

Long story short, after restoring and migrating shenanigans, I have everything back on my new computer, BUT... I need to change only my Home Folder name, and it has a space AND a number in it! Don't ask me how this happened 😟

When I go into Users and Groups, and then right-click on my account and go to Advanced, it shows me that my "Account name" is all one word, basically "firstlastname", but my "Home Directory" folder is "firstlastname 1" (with a space). I think this was a secondary account that Migration Assistant created, but somehow my actual account name is correct... and yet the Home Directory has a space and a 1 😟

So all I need to do is change the Home Directory name (because Dropbox is looking for it to be "firstlastname" and it no longer is, among a myriad of other issues). But I don't think I can use your tip in order to do this in the Terminal if there's a space in the name, can I?

I appreciate any help anyone can give me. This all stemmed from Apple's shoddy workmanship: a dead pixel in a brand new MBP, and then when they replaced the screen, the Wi-Fi died and they said the antenna in the display was faulty, hence they gave me this new machine.

Thank you!!

chylu wrote:

etresoft,

Maybe you can help me.. I'm pulling out my hair. I had my brand new MacBook Pro replaced today because of a faulty display, and spent the day migrating.

name is correct... and yet the Home Directory has a space and a 1 😟

Same here, what to do? My home folder is named username 1 - with a space! Any idea how to fix this?

If a new machine and you didn't migrate on first boot, then I strongly suggest starting over by booting into recovery mode, wiping the HD, restoring the OS, and on first boot using the Setup Assistant to migrate from the old computer. Details inPondini's Setup New Mac guide.