Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

How to change Users name in Terminal > Users.

Hi, I am trying to change my Users name from firstnamelastname to mac on my OSX10.7.5.

I went to Terminal > Users and tried to rename, however upon reboot, the Terminal > Users always brings back the folder firstnamelastname.


How can this be changed?


I did go to Mac > Apple > System Preferences... > System > Users & Groups > Current User. This shows the firstnamelastname has been changed to Mac.

However I need the Terminal files in /Users also changed from firstnamelastname to Mac.

Mac 10.6.8-OTHER, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jul 24, 2013 12:22 AM

Reply
10 replies

Jul 24, 2013 1:50 AM in response to Solai_4

Thanks for the reply.


Yes, I tried that again. I think I tried it before but it must have failed.


I went to Terminal > /Users and the Terminal prompt says Firstnames-Mac:Users firstnamelastname$.

I then typed in Terminal >

Firstnames-Mac:Users firstnamelastname$ mkdir Mac

This command made a new folder.


Firstnames-Mac:Users firstnamelastname$ sudo rm -rf firstnamelastname

This command deletes the folder firstnamelastname.


I then restart the Mac > Terminal > /Users and the firstnamelastname folder is back again with a Terminal prompt:

Firstnames-Mac:Users firstnamelastname$


What's going on?

Jul 24, 2013 1:04 AM in response to Solai_4

Thanks for the reply.

I went to Mac > Apple > System Preferences... > System > Users & Groups > Login Options > Click the lock to make changes. > Password: > Unlock > Show fast user switching menu as > changed Full Name to Short Name > Click the lock to prevent further changes. > Apple > Restart...


The Mac still had firstnamelastname in Terminal > /Users rather than the name Mac.


I then went to Mac > Apple > System Preferences... > System > Users & Groups > Login Options > Click the lock to make changes. > Password: > Unlock > Show fast user switching menu as > changed Short Name to Full Name > Click the lock to prevent further changes. > Apple > Restart...


The Mac still had firstnamelastname in Terminal > /Users, rather than the name Mac?


I think the /Users folder with the folder firstnamelastname is some kind of permanent folder when I first set up the Mac, however I would still like to change the folder name, so maybe I need to set up the Mac like new or something...how to do that if there isn't a way of changing the folder name?

Jul 24, 2013 9:13 PM in response to Barney-15E

Thank you for the reply.

I can confirm this one doesn't work for what I'm trying to do, as I found and tried this article.

I am trying to change the name of the Current User Admin found in either Apple > System Preferences... > User & Groups or in Terminal > /Users.


I can note that I have changed the User name by reinstalling a new OS.

However this took about 20 hours and now I can't restore any of my files from the Time Machine?

I have lodged a new forum post re this new problem https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5192324.

How to change Users name in Terminal > Users.

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.