Can't rename the Home Folder?

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Level 1

3 points

Can't rename the Home Folder?

Im trying to change the short name of my mac. But i cant rename a Folder under Finder>Users. How do i rename it? Selecting the folders name and then pressing Return won't help. Also clicking the folder by 2 inetrval clicks doesn't work. Under 'Get info' -'Name & Extension:' ,under that, the name was greyed out. And you can not edit it.

How do I rename the home folder?

I'm logged in as Admin, and the 'sharing & permissions' was set to read and write. Same with all the users..

Thanks.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jul 25, 2013 2:57 AM

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Answer 1

ronjet9 Author

Level 1

3 points

Jul 25, 2013 2:59 AM in response to ronjet9

Need help. This is the one that I would like to rename under Users>deleted user account folder.

Ex: Finder>MacintoshHD>Users>'Useraccount'(Deleted)--- this one is the 'folder'

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Answer 2

Klaus1

Level 9

52,749 points

Jul 25, 2013 4:34 AM in response to ronjet9

How to change user account name or home directory name:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1428

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3872

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Answer 3

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Jul 25, 2013 6:27 AM in response to ronjet9

In 10.6.8 ?

If so, you'll need to temporarily give admin read & write for the /Users folder, as well as giving staff read & write for the 'deleted' folder.

You can also use Terminal, or enable Root, but that's not worth the effort.

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Answer 4

ronjet9 Author

Level 1

3 points

Jul 25, 2013 6:38 AM in response to Klaus1

Hi klaus1, I used the 2nd link that you provide(..DOC 3872) but I'm stuck in step 4, where you will rename the deleted oldshortname folder to newshortname. It doesn't allow me to edit/rename the 'oldshortname'(deleted).

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Answer 5

ronjet9 Author

Level 1

3 points

Jul 25, 2013 6:54 AM in response to andyBall_uk

Hi andyBall_uk, I have set all the user,staff,admin to have 'read and write' access to the (deleted) folder.

I haven't tried using the terminal and as much as possible to not use the 'root', Still trying to follow the steps/procedure that etresoft share.

By the way, I'm doing this just to change the shortname but I'm not after for all the files save. Just the application. Are there other way to do this? I'm reading now how to transfer files/application from old account to new account. But I don't know if it's still doable because I already deleted the old user/home account.

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Answer 6

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Jul 25, 2013 7:18 AM in response to ronjet9

>>you'll need to temporarily give admin read & write for the /Users folder, as well as giving staff read & write for the 'deleted' folder

It's not enough, even as admin user, to have read/write for oldshortname(deleted)

you need it (temporarily) for the MacintoshHD/Users folder too.

Or at least... that works here on 10.6.8, whereas just as you say, the DOC 3872 way doesn't.

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Answer 7

ronjet9 Author

Level 1

3 points

Jul 25, 2013 8:03 AM in response to andyBall_uk

Oh! Will try that and check it one by one from MacintoshHD/ Users/ oldshortname(Deleted) folder to have the Admin and Staff a read and write to all that folders. Thanks andyBall_uk!

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Answer 8

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Jul 25, 2013 8:22 AM in response to ronjet9

Open Finder Info windows for both /Users and Users/Oldname (Deleted)

In the one for /Users - give the admin group read/write, & leave the window open (unlocking the settings via the padlock & an admin name/pass)

In the one for /Users/Oldname(Deleted) give the staff group read/write (unlocking the settings via the padlock & an admin name/pass)

& you should then able to change the name in the same Info window...

Finally, revert the permission changes, either manually, or via the action (gear wheel) menu at the bottom of each Info window.

If you now create a new account, with the exact name you changed the folder to, you should get the message:

"...folder in the Users folder already has the name “xyz.” Would you like to use that folder as the home folder for this user account?"

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Answer 9

ronjet9 Author

Level 1

3 points

Jul 25, 2013 4:15 PM in response to andyBall_uk

Hi andyBall_uk, I don't know if I done it right. I have set all the the following folder to have a read and write privilege. But under the /oldshortname(deleted) info folder, 'name & extension:' - it is still greyed out. :(

Can I post a screen shot here so you can see what I've done if right?

Off topic: One more thing, I accidentally click the 'this helped me' on one of my post because I'm posting this from my iphone. Can I delete it?

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Answer 10

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Jul 26, 2013 2:42 AM in response to ronjet9

>>Can I post a screen shot here so you can see what I've done if right?

Yes - just click the camera icon in the toolbar above where you type any reply.

Here's the two folders:

Open Info windows for them...

Change the Users folder so that admin group has read/write, change the ...(Deleted) one to give staff read/write

Note the name above, can be edited...

& don't forget to revert the permission changes...

You must be admin for that to work.

If it doesn't for you - I'd use Terminal instead

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Answer 11

ronjet9 Author

Level 1

3 points

Jul 27, 2013 4:54 AM in response to andyBall_uk

Am I doing it correct? I still can not edit the oldshortname(deleted) folder. 😟 It is still greyed out.

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Answer 12

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Jul 27, 2013 5:38 AM in response to ronjet9

I can't say why it doesn't work for you - I've checked here several times on newly created/deleted accounts, using only the changes detailed above.

Use Terminal, or given the small amount of data inside - create a new account with any name you like, & bring in the few files from deleted.

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Answer 13

ronjet9 Author

Level 1

3 points

Jul 27, 2013 6:15 AM in response to andyBall_uk

Just in case I just delete the oldshortname(deleted) folder, how can I successfully copy the application that I want to retain? I don't have the cd/installer anymore, can I just copy it from the trash? or I have to unlock those folder from the /oldshortname(deleted)/ first then copy from there before I completely delete them?

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Answer 14

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Jul 27, 2013 6:35 AM in response to ronjet9

in Finder - drag the user (Deleted) folder to your Desktop - the pointer should change to a green +, and ask you to authenticate with an admin name/pass when you drop it.

The user (Deleted) folder should now be on your Desktop, with full read/write access to all of the contents. (Again 🙂 works here)

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Answer 15

ronjet9 Author

Level 1

3 points

Jul 27, 2013 6:36 AM in response to ronjet9

Is that /oldshortname(deleted) folder was only created only because I deleted the User account?

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