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Level 1

15 points

Can't delete new Admin user after installing Maverick???

I installed Maverick over Lion on my MacBook Air 2011. After doing so I went through all the inital setup questions etc and then at the end froze. So I did it again creating a 3rd Admin user profile. It worked that time. I was able to delete the 3rd user Admin but am not able to delete the new one I made when I installed Maverick as that new Admin user is greyed out. The reason I want to do this is that all my files I added to my MBA are in my original Admin user profile from when I originally got the MBA Christmas 2011. There is nothing devastating that I will lose if I cannot keep the original Admin user profile but it will save time if I can revert to it and delete the new one I created when installing Maverick. How can I achieve this?

MacBook Air, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Dec 14, 2013 7:19 AM

29 replies

CynicChick Author

Level 1

15 points

Dec 14, 2013 3:27 PM in response to andyBall_uk

No not even the Guest User. None of the 3.

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Dec 14, 2013 3:36 PM in response to CynicChick

>> None of the 3

.Do your Directory Utility windows look like the screenshots I've posted ?.

If you're viewing 'Users' (the default) there should be dozens of users there. If you are in Directory Utility - does it show that you're 'Authenticated as root' ?.

CynicChick Author

Level 1

15 points

Dec 14, 2013 3:41 PM in response to andyBall_uk

Yes the directory windows look the same with different words or names I should say. I am 'viewing' the 'users' and there are lots in the window below at the left side. All three users including the 'guest' , when I click on each one at the top of the Directory Utility window just below the grey header it shows an open lock and beside it says Authenticated as root (FOR ALL 3).

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Dec 14, 2013 4:11 PM in response to CynicChick

I see - & I can't explain that, since any user in the list is available to delete here.

Is the - sign greyed out for all of the users, not just Guest & those you created ?.

Regardless (since that won't tell us why) you might try deleting the user in question from Terminal, or just leaving it there, unused... although I do wonder what else might cause trouble, so madrich's suggestion to erase & install might be worthwhile.

If you do try in Terminal, then from an Admin account (with that user being the only one logged in)

carefully type/copy the following - changing USERNAME to the one you want to remove, then press enter.

sudo dscl . delete /Users/USERNAME

you'll be asked for the current user (not the one you're deleting) password, which won't be shown on screen.... type it in then press enter.

If that works, reboot & remove the unwanted user folder.

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Dec 14, 2013 4:27 PM in response to andyBall_uk

A thought - are you trying the - button at the very bottom of the list of users in the left pane, rather than the one below the list of user attributes on the right side ?.

CynicChick Author

Level 1

15 points

Dec 15, 2013 5:54 AM in response to andyBall_uk

It was the minus on the right side not the one below all the users on the left that were greyed out. All the ones below the users on the left were usable and not greyed out. I have chose to do a clean install of maverick instead and am in the process of making a bootable thumb drive with the maverick app on it. Thanks for all your help though.

madrich

Level 1

124 points

Dec 15, 2013 7:18 AM in response to CynicChick

@CynicChick: Please let us know if the clean install works.

CynicChick Author

Level 1

15 points

Dec 15, 2013 8:52 AM in response to andyBall_uk

I went to the trouble of creating a bootable thumb drive with OSX mavericks installation on it then worried I would lose programs I paid for. So, then changed my mind again and went to the Directory Utility and deleted the user I wanted to be rid of. Worked like a charm. I backed up files and pics etc before doing so. Now I only have 2 users. Just the ticket. Thanks so much!!

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Dec 15, 2013 8:56 AM in response to CynicChick

You're welcome - I'm sorry that the description was so readily confused with identical-sounding buttons that I even incuded in a screenshot.

madrich

Level 1

124 points

Dec 15, 2013 1:48 PM in response to CynicChick

I am glad it worked out afterall.

Jan 11, 2014 2:15 AM in response to andyBall_uk

Which one was the good one ? the left one or the right one ? Hard to guess with all the posts.

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Jan 11, 2014 2:41 AM in response to FrenchAlain55

the one on the left, below the list of users or groups

Feb 25, 2014 2:35 PM in response to andyBall_uk

Thanx guys 🙂

I had the exact same problem and it´s solved now!

Thanx

Mar 8, 2014 5:20 PM in response to CynicChick

HOW TO DELETE ANOTHER ADMIN ACCOUNT ON OS X MAVERICKS:

1. Make sure ALL accounts are signed out.

2. Sign into the main admin account (not the one you wnt to delete)

3. Go to "system preferences" on the dock

4. Click "Users and Accounts"

5. Click the lock and follow the directions.

6. Click the admin profile you wish to delete. If it is not clickable, follow step 7. If it is, go onto step 8

7. If it is not clickable, SIGN OUT of the cuurent account (, Log out ..., or Shift⌘Q) then sign into the one youwish to delete, and log out again. Make sure that before logging back into the main admin account, the orange check IS NOT NEXT TO THE PROFILE YOU WISH TO DELETE.

8. Follow steps 4, 5, and 6, then go to 9.

9. Click the admin profile you wish to delete.

10. Accept the warning.

11. Sign out of the main admin account. Make sure the admin account you wished to delete is not there.

12. Sign back in to the main admin account.

13. Problem Solved.

Can't delete new Admin user after installing Maverick???