Share software to multiple users on one Macbook Pro

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Level 1

8 points

Share software to multiple users on one Macbook Pro

My wife and I share a Macbook, but have different AppleIDs and user accounts on the Macbook for the sake of our iTunes and iPhoto libraries and tastes... I would like to avoid having to double up on all my software purchases and share software for all users on the Macbook, as one can do on a PC. Once software is intalled on a PC, it can be available to all users, or only the user that downloaded the software. Is this possible with a Mac?. How do I do this?

iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G, iOS 5

Posted on Jan 13, 2013 8:09 PM

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Answer 1

Niel

Community+ 2026

Level 10

744,359 points

Jan 13, 2013 8:11 PM in response to Stoffelpinks

By default, software added to a Mac will be available to all users and is only installed in an account-specific way if specifically instructed.

(74421)

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Answer 2

Jan 13, 2013 8:12 PM in response to Stoffelpinks

By default, any software installed on the Mac ends up in the central Applications folder, so it's accessible to everyone. Are you experiencing something different?

Matt

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Answer 3

Stoffelpinks Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 13, 2013 8:48 PM in response to Matt Clifton

I have recently purchased a copy of the program TouchCopy, which is only availble on one user profile and requests that I use one of the three user licences I received with the software if I try to access it in a different user profile.

I am now looking to download Pages, but the user agreement appears to limit the usage to a specific AppleID if purchased from the AppStore... Will this not prevent the usage by another AppleID registered to a different user?

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Answer 4

Jan 14, 2013 5:27 AM in response to Stoffelpinks

I can't speak to TouchCopy, but any software installed from the App Store will absolutely be available for all users of that Mac, and indeed any other Macs that you manage with that AppleID in the Store.

Matt

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