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Help with Changing Computer name/User name MacBook Air 2018

Hi, please can you help.

When I set up my new MacBook Air 2018 (with Mojave on it) I discovered that the name I had put in in Set-up Assistant, my name, is now my user name. When I fire up the Mac my name is there on the screen under the icon picture, and with the password field. I want to change the User name of my Mac, I don't want my own name to appear on the screen every time I need to log in.


I followed the instructions to change this in Users&Groups, but when I Control-click on my Admin account, and choose Advanced... , a red warning message comes up about changing anything. So I am reluctant to do this and need some guidance please.


Thanks for your help,

Ruth

MacBook Air, macOS Mojave (10.14.1), New MacBook Air 2018

Posted on Nov 27, 2018 3:47 PM

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Question marked as Best answer

Whatever you do, do NOT change the username unless you have a second admin account created on your mac. Should something go wrong (and it often does), you can at least login to that second account to fix things.

One of the most common effects of changing the username is for the account to lose its admin privileges. That second account can then be used to give the admin privileges back.

I don't recommend changing usernames, but if you choose to do so, please heed the advice above. It may well save your bacon. Even if you do not change anything, it is always a good idea to keep a second account available, just in case.

Posted on Nov 28, 2018 4:10 PM

1 reply
Question marked as Helpful

Nov 28, 2018 4:09 PM in response to Ruth N

If you change the name of an existing user account it is possible to change it so that it no longer matches the user home directory of that account meaning when you next login all your stuff will appear to be missing. So it is merely warning you of this danger so that either you accept that (deliberately) or make sure to change all the other details at the same time. This may even involve renaming the existing home directory.


An alternative approach is to create a new second user account, login to that and then delete the original account along with its files.

4 replies

Nov 28, 2018 1:26 AM in response to Kappy

Thanks Kappy. I had already read both these links before asking my question. The instructions in the first link refer to earlier versions of Mac OS than Mojave. Can I be sure that these instructions are the same for Mojave?

Secondly, what are the risks of changing the Full name? Why is there the red warning message after clicking on the Advanced Options? Why does the article say Do a back-up first? There must be some reason for all these alerts.

Thanks.

Question marked as Helpful

Nov 28, 2018 4:09 PM in response to Ruth N

If you change the name of an existing user account it is possible to change it so that it no longer matches the user home directory of that account meaning when you next login all your stuff will appear to be missing. So it is merely warning you of this danger so that either you accept that (deliberately) or make sure to change all the other details at the same time. This may even involve renaming the existing home directory.


An alternative approach is to create a new second user account, login to that and then delete the original account along with its files.

Question marked as Best answer

Nov 28, 2018 4:10 PM in response to Ruth N

Whatever you do, do NOT change the username unless you have a second admin account created on your mac. Should something go wrong (and it often does), you can at least login to that second account to fix things.

One of the most common effects of changing the username is for the account to lose its admin privileges. That second account can then be used to give the admin privileges back.

I don't recommend changing usernames, but if you choose to do so, please heed the advice above. It may well save your bacon. Even if you do not change anything, it is always a good idea to keep a second account available, just in case.

Help with Changing Computer name/User name MacBook Air 2018

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