Can't change user login window look?

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applewarm Author

Level 2

345 points

Can't change user login window look?

No matter the settings combination in: System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Options.

When I restart, I will always get this:

It's not only ugly since it doesn't show the user photo, but also v. uncomfortable having to type the name as well.

I'd rather have my user photo, with only the password field under it.

These are the current settings, which result in the undesired login window:

(I did try changing them in all combos, but restarting seems to erase changes!!!!)

I can't figure out if it's a bug, or if I'm doing something wrong!

I had already created a thread, but no one replied.

*edit*

Forgot to mention: I've always had the photo+password-only login look, in the past.

That is on my older MBP's, but ever since switching to my new one...just can't get it!

MacBook Pro TouchBar and Touch ID, macOS Mojave (10.14), 15" (2018)

Posted on Sep 24, 2018 4:12 PM

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Answer 1

tygb

Level 9

65,010 points

Sep 25, 2018 8:41 AM in response to applewarm

Enter in user library see this article macOS Sierra: Library folder

Find a folder - preferences - delete com.apple.systempreferences.plist and com.apple.loginwindow.plist to the desktop , restart the Mac and open safari after few minutes the new plists will be recreated .

By the way way did you installed anti virus , unidentified softwares , apps on your new Mac OS Mojave use https://etrecheck.com/

And post the results .

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Answer 2

applewarm Author

Level 2

345 points

Oct 10, 2018 4:48 PM in response to applewarm

Update:

I had a Genius Bar appointment but cancelled it as the issue seems to have solved itself in the end.

The login screen is now displayed correctly for "list of users", with photo&name and password-only input.

Only thing I did was change the Mojave login wallpaper, no idea how that influenced the rest though...

Found the trick here, if anyone wants to change it too:

https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/337445/how-do-i-change-the-login-scree n-background-in-macos-mojave

The login view finally always stays the same, logging out or restarting or shutting down.

Also stays if the image is changed, and it changes correctly if I set it to "name & password" and then set it back to "list of users".

finally --- seems like my issue is solved.

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Answer 3

Sep 25, 2018 8:15 AM in response to applewarm

Might be a bad plist file somewhere.

At the moment, I can only suggest you temporarily change to "Name and Password", restart, then try changing back to "List of users" and see if that now sticks.

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Answer 4

tygb

Level 9

65,010 points

Sep 25, 2018 9:10 AM in response to applewarm

Enter in user library as per article - The Library folder is hidden. If you need to open it for some reason, click the desktop to make sure you’re in the Finder, press and hold the Option key, then choose Go > Library.

Yes drag and drop these 2 plist to the desktop and don't move to the trash for the time being and empty the trash , restarting the Mac immediately is necessary , this is the property of safari browser the new plist will be created after some time .

Your settings like login name and window on the display login window is not setting properly .

One reason could be the os is not installed successfully , open disk utility through spotlight and click on first aid after few minutes a green check mark must be shown , click on drop down arrow of show details ( inside it file system check exit code should always show as zero and never 1 , once the process is completed , click on done .

Now in the disk utility window on top left click on drop down arrow of view - click on show all devices under internal tap apple ssd - same click on first aid - it should also show exit code as zero .

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Answer 5

Sep 25, 2018 8:04 AM in response to applewarm

Is this only after a restart?

If you just log out, do you see the normal login window?

Do you have FileVault turned on?

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Answer 6

tygb

Level 9

65,010 points

Sep 25, 2018 9:35 AM in response to applewarm

The new plist will be recreated , delete them to the trash and empty the trash , the old Data that was transferred might have corrupted system files , prefer erasing the Hard disk and reinstall os macOS Sierra: Erase and reinstall macOS

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Answer 7

Sep 25, 2018 8:04 AM in response to applewarm

Do you have other accounts on your system shown in System Preferences?

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Answer 8

applewarm Author

Level 2

345 points

Sep 25, 2018 8:04 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

This is if I both restart and log out, I get the name+password and no photo.

Only if I lock the screen, do I get the look that I want.

I like to see my user photo, and I don't like having to write the name.

FileVault is not active, no.

These are the settings I've always had on my old Macs, so I don't know what's happening now.

Thank you v. much for helping me!

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Answer 9

applewarm Author

Level 2

345 points

Sep 25, 2018 8:52 AM in response to tygb

I've found the 2 files you specified in Users > *name* > Library > Preferences.

Not sure about all the rest though.

You mean I need to move (not delete?) these 2 files to the desktop and then restart?

So that 2 new versions of those files will be created.

But why do I need to open Safari after a few minutes?

And no, I haven't installed anything of that sort (anti viruses, unidentified software, etc.)

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Answer 10

applewarm Author

Level 2

345 points

Sep 25, 2018 9:29 AM in response to tygb

Ok the plist files thing did not work. I still get this login window look:

Now should I put the old files back where I found them? Since nothing changed moving them/creating new ones?

I don't see how macOS could be installed not properly !, I bought this MBP at an  Store and a Genius Bar expert transferred my data from my old MBP.

Seems highly unlikely !, they usually know what they're doing.

😮

I will try to do what you suggested, if I'm not able to I'll take the MBP in for a check...

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Answer 11

applewarm Author

Level 2

345 points

Sep 25, 2018 9:43 AM in response to tygb

Ok I've deleted the old plist files, the new ones are already there. Login window still does not change, at this point you must be right - something was corrupted. Because I've had this problem ever since I bought this new MBP, 1st time I turned it on I already got the wrong login window despite the system preferences.

I'll bring it in at the Genius Bar, I'm not able to do such things and/or don't want to mess anything up. I don't think they did something wrong per se, I think it was the old data coming from the old MBP...they probably didn't notice anything was wrong. The only problem I have is the login window thing, everything else is perfect.

I will update as soon as I can bring it in, and have it looked at. I will refer them to this thread, so they know a little bit more.

Thank you for your quick help. I'll keep you posted...

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