I haven't used my desktop iMac in a long time and can't get pass the opening login...I thought I remembered my password, but, apparently not. How do I change it. I don't THINK I have a "master password" on the thing. I've never used one on any of

Question

I haven't used my desktop iMac in a long time and can't get pass the opening login...I thought I remembered my password, but, apparently not. How do I change it. I don't THINK I have a "master password" on the thing. I've never used one on any of

I haven't used my IMac in a long time and went to boot it up, and I find I don't remember the correct username and password (I use several computers..I try to keep the passwords similar, with a number for the chronological order in which I started using them) I've tried all the others I use for passwords. The 'hint" keeps coming up for the password I am pretty sure is the correct one, but, still cannot get in. I also don't remember whether I changed my surname on the computer...it was changed legally a little while ago, but some of my older devices still have my birth-name in there)

HELP

I don't think I ever set up a "master password" on the thing...I never use those. I am the only person with access to my personal devices.

thanks

Posted on Mar 27, 2015 10:01 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 27, 2015 10:03 AM in response to Nancy C Kenfield

In my own defence..the past year has been one crisis after another, meaning I have done all my work on the laptop.

Reply

Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Mar 27, 2015 10:04 AM in response to Nancy C Kenfield

Forgot Your Account Password

For Lion, Mountain Lion, or Mavericks

Boot to the Recovery HD:

Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.

When the menubar appears select Terminal from the Utilities menu.

Enter resetpassword at the prompt and press RETURN. Follow

instructions in the dialog window that will appear.

Or see:

Reset a Mac OS X 10.7 Lion Password

OS X Mountain Lion- Reset a login password,

OS X Mavericks- Solve password problems,

OS X Lion- Apple ID can be used to reset your user account password.

For Snow Leopard and earlier with installer DVD

Mac OS X 10.6- If you forget your administrator password,

OS X- Changing or resetting an account password (Snow Leopard and earlier).

For Snow Leopard and earlier without installer DVD