#RESET ADMIN PASSWORD MAC OS MAC OS X#
#RESET ADMIN PASSWORD MAC OS INSTALL#

If this happens to you, and you need to get through the set up screen, choose the option 'do not transfer data at this time' I didnt even need to go through all the steps above. So I gave it a new name and then went in and chose my old admin account and simply changed my password there. Therein was my key because when I typed in my original, it said 'already in use' and then the relief set in. Very Important to use a different user name when it asks you. I simply had to go through the steps of set up, punching in fake data, just to be careful not to override, and really it didnt wipe out, it simply created a new user. BUT the good new is that my data was NOT wiped out. Even the folks at SOS Apple prepared me for the worst. This will open a drop-down menu, then click. When you login as the new admin you can simply delete the old one and you’re good to go again!ĪTTN: ANYONE SIMPLY WANTING TO CHANGE THE PASSWORD ON THEIR EXISTING COMPUTER WITH ALL THE DATA ON IT: I just did these steps and then had a momentary emotional breakdown when I thought I lost all 232 GB of my original data as I got the Welcome screen only with my wallpaper and finder all gone. Methods for Resetting the Admin Password on a Mac Step 3: Go to the Apple Menu at the top and select Utilities. After rebooting, select your user account and log in with your new password. This will reboot your computer and apply your new password. After rebooting you should have a brand new admin account. Click the Apple menu and select 'OS X Utilities' 'Quit OS X Utilities.' Opt to restart your Mac when prompted. When you get text prompt enter in these terminal commands to create a brand new admin account (hitting return after each line):Ĥ. You’re almost done Type in the new password for the account twice, enter a hint for it if you want to, and click Change Password. Hold apple + s down after you hear the chime.ģ. Enter the password for the admin account you’re logged in to and then click on the name of the account with the lost password from the sidebar and choose Reset Password. To reset your OS X password without an OS X CD you need to enter terminal and create a new admin account:Ģ. Here is a way to get around not knowing the admin password on Macs. *How to Reset User Password via single user mode* Without the discs, try this (OS 10.5 only).

#RESET ADMIN PASSWORD MAC OS MAC OS X#

This will let you create a new admin account when you reboot your computer.Īlso, without the discs, look at Mac OS X Tip - No Password, No Root, No CD? No Problem. type without the quotes: 'rm /var/db/.applesetupdone

type without the quotes: '/sbin/mount -uaw'Ħ. boot computer and hold the 'apple' key and the 's' key.Ĥ.

#RESET ADMIN PASSWORD MAC OS INSTALL#

If you have such machine and it's not yours or was purchased used, you need to contact the owner or Apple to unlock it for you.įirmware passwords lock the machine so it can't be easily repaired using techniques available to you and others.įor most users and their personal needs I advise against setting one, having only a few things needed encrypted on a external USB thumb drive or hard drive without locking the whole machine from repair is something the best choice for most consumers.Here's one method to reset the password without the install disc:ġ. You will need to know the password, that's the purpose of the firmware password to totally lock the machine down. You will to enter the password or need the OS X install disk compatible with that machine and hold the option key while booting to select it, then reset the firmware password. If you see a lock appear and it asks for a password there, that's a firmware password. Ls /Users/ (find the name of the account)Įnter the new password twice followed by returns then Type and press return after each bold command If you dont' have the 10.6 install disk, then hold command s and boot the machine into Single User Mode (aka root). If you have the 10.6 install disk hold c or option/alt key and boot off the 10.6 disk and use the Password Reset under the Utilities menu, you will need a wired or built in keyboard. the COMMAND-S keys until a black screen with white type. Boot to Safe Mode by restarting and after the chime press and hold down. Instead, choose Terminal from the menu, type in resetpassword, and press Enter to. If you are unable to boot from an installer DVD: (these will only work on Leopard or earlier) 1. If youre using the Mountain Lion installer, you wont see this menu item. OS X Lion- Apple ID can be used to reset your user account password. This is how you go about resetting your password in case you or another has forgotten it. Or see Reset a Mac OS X 10.7 Lion Password and.

Reset admin password mac os