Can't change Home Directory name

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Level 1

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Can't change Home Directory name

Problem: I inherited an iMac from my father - v10.9.4. I made myself the new administrator and deleted him as a user. The home directory is still under his name. I suspect this is because when I deleted him as a user, I selected the option "Don't change the home folder - the home folder remains in the Users folder". I did this, perhaps erroneously, to still have access to the files (music / photos) he left for me on the HD.

Goal: to change the home directory name to match my account name yet still have access to the files my father left for me.

I have tried the directions listed in HT1428: OS X: How to change user account name or home directory name. I followed step 1 in the section for OS X v10.7 and later and set up a new, second admin account. Yet, when I log into the new second admin account, there is no /Users folder in Finder. Finder is virtually blank, and no Mac HD icon on the desktop either. So I can't get to the home folder to rename it.

Guidance appreciated!

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4)

Posted on Aug 29, 2014 11:50 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Niel

Level 10

726,719 points

Aug 29, 2014 11:53 AM in response to pmacseattle

Choose Computer from the Finder’s Go menu, double-click the internal drive, and locate the Users folder. If desired, open the General tab of the Finder’s preferences and check the Hard disks box.

(111729)

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Answer 2

pmacseattle Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 29, 2014 12:34 PM in response to Niel

Thanks Neil, this worked and allowed me to delete the old account and save it to disk image. However, the deletion appears to be slow - over 20" have passed. Any idea how long to expect this process to last? Can I do other set-up activities while this is going on?

Thanks again

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Answer 3

twtwtw

Level 5

4,936 points

Aug 29, 2014 1:31 PM in response to pmacseattle

As an observation, often it's easier in cases like this merely to make a new user account for yourself and copy over all the files you want from the old account. That way you're sure to get a clean system (without whatever dross might have accumulated over time in your father's account). You can then archive or delete the old account as you prefer.

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