How to change the username associated with "Home"?

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How to change the username associated with "Home"?

My wife got a new mac (from her job) and I've taken over her previous machine, a Macbook Pro (2008). I've upgraded the system several times already, and now using OS Lion. My problem is that I want — but haven't figured out how (or it it's possible) — to change the name of "Home" — from (a form of) her name to something else. I'm the only user with administrative privileges, and I thought that would (somehow) change the name associated with "Home" — but no, it has not.

Is this something that can ( or must) be done via Terminal?

Posted on Jan 28, 2013 7:41 AM

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Answer 1

leroydouglas

Level 10

200,914 points

Jan 28, 2013 7:48 AM in response to dawglover

You can create an new admin account and give it your new name. Then delete the old account.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1428?viewlocale=en_US

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Answer 2

tTIKA

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Jan 28, 2013 7:53 AM in response to dawglover

I had the same problem too. I couldn't find a way to change the name but I moved all my files to an external drive, re installed Lion (from recovery mode). In the installation , it asks a name for your home folder. Then I moves my files back. I dont know if there is an easier way but that worked for me.

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Answer 3

dawglover Author

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Jan 28, 2013 10:21 AM in response to leroydouglas

my ignorance is vast – so I may not be saying it right. At present, I have (sole) administrative control of the computer. But I haven't been able to change the name associated with "Home" to something other than the name originally set by the computer's previous owner/administrator (my wife).

It's just a hassle for me. For example, "Downloads" (the default destination for downloads) is inside a usernamed folder/directory that I don't ordinarily use to store my stuff.

I wish I had the vocab to be more specific – I'm working on it. Thanks!

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Answer 4

leroydouglas

Level 10

200,914 points

Jan 28, 2013 10:25 AM in response to dawglover

Download browsers specific

ex Safari>Preferences>General> Save Downloaded files to:

make changes here

But this might be the least of your worries 😕

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Answer 5

dawglover Author

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Jan 28, 2013 10:43 AM in response to tTIKA

I had to google "recovery mode" 'cause I'd never heard of it.

Because I've fouled things up many (many) times before, I'd like to ask:

1) When you say that you "moved all [your] files to an external drive" – is this equivalent to a Time Machine backup? Or did you select "All My Files" and drag them on an ext. hard drive?

2) After you "moved all [your] files to an external drive" – did you erase/re-format the hard drive in yr computer before calling on the "recovery mode"?

Thank you – I appreciate yr help!

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Answer 6

ds store

Level 7

30,855 points

Jan 28, 2013 11:27 AM in response to dawglover

dawglover wrote:

At present, I have (sole) administrative control of the computer. But I haven't been able to change the name associated with "Home" to something other than the name originally set by the computer's previous owner/administrator (my wife).

You can't, the original name is squirelled away all over the machine.

The only way to get it to be all yours, is to backup all data files off the machine, hold command option r down on a wired keyboard at boot time connected to a fast Internet connection and use Disk Utility to erase the ENTIRE drive, then reinstall OS X with your AppleID and password into the Macintosh HD partition.

When you reboot, you are greated to the intial install, where you can place your name all over the machine.

When you erase the drive this way all programs are gone, and only those associated with AppleID can be downloaded from AppStore as they are copy protected.

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Answer 7

tTIKA

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Jan 28, 2013 11:38 AM in response to dawglover

Recovery mode is a hidden partition of your disk which basically allows you to re install your OS. You can go there by restarting your computer and holding cmd and r (command + r) keys while booting your computer up. There you will se an option to reinstall Lion (or mountain lion). This will erase ALL YOUR DATA ON YOUR COMPUTER and download the OS for a clean install. So yes this is formatting your drive.

And I only moves (drag and drop) my documents, applications, downloads, desktop and music folders. (you may want to move additional folders like movies if you have anything in them)

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