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nikkifrombrisbane

Q: How to change the user name on my macbook pro?

I have a Macbook Pro 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5 (2011) running OS X Version 10.8 at the moment and it has Office for Mac. I bought it near new off someone who had understandably registered his name as the user name. I would like to change the user name to mine and of course I have the admin password. I have read various posts and the concensus seems to be that I can only change the user name if I factory reinstall. I have the Mac OS X Snow Leopard Version 10.6 disc, but I do not have an Office for Mac disc, so I would rather not be without my Office suite if I can help it.

 

Does anyone know of a way I can change the user name:

1) Without the need for a complete reinstall

2) With a 'partial' reinstall that lets me keep the version of Office for Mac I currently have (I suspect this is doubtful)

3) Or maybe a way to create another user name that I can use so that when I turn on my Mac, it is only that user name that comes up? (not Guest) I don't have a problem with his user name being on my computer, I have a receipt etc. I just find it frustrating having to explain away why I'm not John Doe but have John Doe's computer on a regular basis!

Any help would be much appreciated. I appreciate a full install will require back up etc. and if need be, that's okay for me to do.

Thanks for your help.

Posted on Jun 7, 2013 6:33 PM

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Q: How to change the user name on my macbook pro?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jun 7, 2013 6:43 PM in response to nikkifrombrisbane
    Level 10 (270,411 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 7, 2013 6:43 PM in response to nikkifrombrisbane

    Simple solution:

     

    Create a new user account with your username and password. Log into this new account. Before deleting the old account you should locate all Microsoft Office files and folders located in the original /Home/Library/ folder. You will also want to get the two com.microsoft...plist files in the /Library/Preferences/ folder.

     

    Once the files and folders have transferred into your new account, delete the old one.

  • by nikkifrombrisbane,

    nikkifrombrisbane nikkifrombrisbane Jun 7, 2013 6:55 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 7, 2013 6:55 PM in response to Kappy

    I'm sorry if this should be obvious to me, but how do I create a new user account? I'm accessing Users & Groups through System Preferences and this is a screen shot of what I have to work with. Can you take me through what you suggest I do step-by-step please?

    Screen Shot 2013-06-08 at 11.51.58 AM.png

  • by Kappy,Helpful

    Kappy Kappy Jun 7, 2013 6:58 PM in response to nikkifrombrisbane
    Level 10 (270,411 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 7, 2013 6:58 PM in response to nikkifrombrisbane

    Click on the lock icon and enter the admin password when requested. Then click on the Add [+] button button just below Login Options. Carefully fill in the required information to create the account, and be sure the account has Administrator status. Click the OK button when you are finished.

  • by nikkifrombrisbane,

    nikkifrombrisbane nikkifrombrisbane Jun 7, 2013 8:19 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 7, 2013 8:19 PM in response to Kappy

    Hi,

    Thanks for that, I've created a new user account with Administrator status, no problems - thank you. I am however having a bit of a dilemma following the Office files part of your previous reply:

     

    Before deleting the old account you should locate all Microsoft Office files and folders located in the original /Home/Library/ folder. You will also want to get the two com.microsoft...plist files in the /Library/Preferences/ folder.

     

    Once the files and folders have transferred into your new account, delete the old one.

     

    Can you step me through this process please?  Where do I access the original /Home/Library/ folder, where will I find the two com.microsoft...plist files in the /Library/Preferences/ folder? And how do I transfer the files and folders into my new account so I can delete the old one?

     

    Thanks for your help!

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jun 7, 2013 10:16 PM in response to nikkifrombrisbane
    Level 10 (270,411 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 7, 2013 10:16 PM in response to nikkifrombrisbane

    There are two files located in /Library/Preferences/ folder:

     

    com.microsoft.office.licensing.plist

    com.microsoft.PlayReady.plist

     

    You want to copy the /Library/Application Support/Microsoft/ folder

     

    You want to copy the /Users/oldacct/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/ folder

     

    Then there are a lot of files for Office in /Users/oldacct/Library/Preferences/:

     

    com.microsoft.autoupdate2.plist

    com.microsoft.EquationEditor.plist

    com.microsoft.error_reporting.plist

    com.microsoft.Excel.plist

    com.microsoft.office.plist

    com.microsoft.office.setupassistant.plist

    com.microsoft.outlook.office_reminders.plist

    com.microsoft.Powerpoint.plist

    com.microsoft.visual_basic.plist

    com.microsoft.visualbasic.plist

    com.microsoft.Word.plist

    Microsoft folder

  • by Tommieriedmiller,

    Tommieriedmiller Tommieriedmiller Mar 4, 2015 1:17 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 4, 2015 1:17 PM in response to Kappy

    SSo what if I don't know the password to the admin account? I just bought my MacBook but I can't add or delete accounts cause I don't know the previous owners username or password. Please help it's really frustrating