HT202860: Change or reset the password of an OS X user account

Learn about Change or reset the password of an OS X user account
BamaMacGirl

Q: Reset login/username (newbie here)

Reset login usernsme/password: father bought newest iMac & gave me his. He is administrator & cannot remember login info. Anyway to reset login info so I can become admin & delete all his sensitive info? Please & thanks in advance from a total mac newbie.

iMac, iOS 9.1

Posted on Aug 26, 2016 9:54 AM

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Q: Reset login/username (newbie here)

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  • by Popularfox,Solvedanswer

    Popularfox Popularfox Aug 26, 2016 1:33 PM in response to BamaMacGirl
    Level 1 (26 points)
    Notebooks
    Aug 26, 2016 1:33 PM in response to BamaMacGirl

    If you are trying to get into his account, but can't remember the password this should help what you are trying to do...

     

    Shut down the Mac if it isn't already. Once you press the power and the Mac begins to boot up hold down command and R at the same time. If done correctly you should be brought to an OS X Utilities screen. At the top of the screen click Utilities then Terminal. When the Terminal window appears type resetpassword and a window will appear. You'll be asked what volume the account is found on (most likely "Macintosh HD" in your case), select the account, and enter a new password along with a hint.

     

    Note that this will not allow access to his keychain, but considering you're going to delete the account it most likely won't matter anyway.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Aug 26, 2016 12:46 PM in response to BamaMacGirl
    Level 9 (69,803 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 26, 2016 12:46 PM in response to BamaMacGirl

    Apple support article that should be followed in this case.

     

    Selling old Mac (4)          Apple support

  • by BamaMacGirl,Helpful

    BamaMacGirl BamaMacGirl Aug 26, 2016 1:33 PM in response to Popularfox
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 26, 2016 1:33 PM in response to Popularfox

    Thanks so very much, Popular! Your step by step instructions worked perfectly. Can I bother you with one other question? Is there such a way to "return to factory settings" on an iMac as is on an iPhone? Again, I appreciate your help immensley!

  • by BamaMacGirl,

    BamaMacGirl BamaMacGirl Aug 26, 2016 1:32 PM in response to Popularfox
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 26, 2016 1:32 PM in response to Popularfox

    THanks

  • by Popularfox,

    Popularfox Popularfox Aug 26, 2016 3:58 PM in response to BamaMacGirl
    Level 1 (26 points)
    Notebooks
    Aug 26, 2016 3:58 PM in response to BamaMacGirl

    Glad I was able to help. For your second question, if you create a new account it will be setup with the Mac's default settings. It will not use the settings used in your father's account. Just make sure when creating the account you give it administrator privileges since that is what you wanted from the beginning.

  • by BamaMacGirl,

    BamaMacGirl BamaMacGirl Aug 26, 2016 9:47 PM in response to Popularfox
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 26, 2016 9:47 PM in response to Popularfox

    Dear Pop, again, you nailed it. Thanks so very much for the time you spent helping my fan!