Erasing a user account from your Mac

I have 2 user accounts on my MacBook Air. Both are mine and most of the information is the same. How do I delete one of the user accounts?

MacBook Air, macOS High Sierra (10.13.2)

Posted on Dec 26, 2017 12:10 PM

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Posted on Dec 26, 2017 12:15 PM

Boot from the account you wish to save. If it is an Admin account then open Users & Groups preferences panel. Click on the Lock icon and enter your Admin password when prompted. On the left, you have a list of user accounts. Select the account you want to remove then click on the Delete [-] button at the bottom of the list. You will be offered four options. Choose the option that specifies an immediate removal. I believe that is Option 3. Do Not select the option involving a Secure Erase unless you want to wait for days until it finishes.

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Dec 26, 2017 12:15 PM in response to patriciafrommertztown

Boot from the account you wish to save. If it is an Admin account then open Users & Groups preferences panel. Click on the Lock icon and enter your Admin password when prompted. On the left, you have a list of user accounts. Select the account you want to remove then click on the Delete [-] button at the bottom of the list. You will be offered four options. Choose the option that specifies an immediate removal. I believe that is Option 3. Do Not select the option involving a Secure Erase unless you want to wait for days until it finishes.

Dec 26, 2017 1:59 PM in response to patriciafrommertztown

In Users & Groups is a list of users on the left. Looks somewhat like this:

User uploaded file

Select a user to delete. In this example, I have chosen the Testing user.

User uploaded file

Next, I will remove Testing by clicking on the Delete [-] button. When I do a panel drops down.

User uploaded file

I have opted for the last option to Delete the home folder. When I click on the Delete User button that user account is removed.

Dec 27, 2017 1:24 AM in response to patriciafrommertztown

The first user can create new users ( can be admin or standard account ) .

In the example , the original account name is kept as " first " and the admin created a new admin account named as " hjuy " by clicking on plus sign selected passwords and finally created .

Go to apple logo and sign out from account named as " first " when desktop screen appears enter admin name as " hjuy " and enter the new password for it , if you want to keep this as administrator , select " first " and click on minus sign check the box of home folder and click on minus sign it will be deleted also select group folder and click on minus to get it deleted permanently .

User uploaded file

Note : When there is a single admin account by default allow user to administer this account is faded ( the box still is checked ) , you can see the lock is opened .


User uploaded file

Dec 26, 2017 1:03 PM in response to Kappy

Your answer is very helpful, thanks. Next glitch is when I go into either user account neither is highlighted for "allow user to administer this account" . So neither account is letting me make changes. How do I set up the one to be full administrator? (It says "admin" under each account name on the left but in the center of the box, that statement I mentioned is faded.

Dec 27, 2017 7:02 AM in response to patriciafrommertztown

Hello !

The minus button is faded in your computer you are having an admin account and what other accounts did you created without a screen shot of your users and groups it is not easy to calculate , is this refurbished machine or did you purchased from apple authorised centre I think you have to first consult apple support or have to plan for clean installation .

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Erasing a user account from your Mac

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