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How do I change my account password in Mac OS X?

How do i change my password on my Mac OS X system, Dave? I looked when I was logging in and didn't see any sort of button or configuration option!


Dave's Answer:

This is an easy task once you know where Apple stores this sort of data. To change your account password, you need to go to the "Apple menu" and choose System Preferences..., then click on the Accounts button. You'll see this:

Mac OS X: System Preferences: Accounts

You should be able to click on "Change Password" directly, but if you can't get to your account or the change password option is grayed out or unclickable, you'll need to "unlock" or verify your administrative access capabilities by clicking on the little padlock on the lower left and typing in your administrative password (the password to the admin account, not necessarily your current account). It'll look like this:

Mac OS X: System Preferences: Accounts: Admin authentication password

Once you've unlocked it, click on "Change Password" and you'll see this:

Mac OS X: System Preferences: Accounts: Change Password

Enter your existing password for verification, enter your new password twice, and add a hint if you'd like.

Done!



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Comments

I think the real Question should be:

How can you change "Short Name" of your account (it is "tylor" in the figure) ?

It is easy to change your account's user name and passwords, but not your "short name"

Posted by: Ras at February 26, 2006 10:40 PM

Generally, you don't want to change your short name, especially if it's the admin account.

Posted by: Dave Taylor at February 27, 2006 9:55 AM

But that still doesn't answer the question on how you change it

Posted by: restv22 at September 26, 2006 6:36 PM

Um, the illustrated steps above *does* change the admin password. The key is to change the account password for the admin account and you're done! :-)

Posted by: Dave Taylor at September 26, 2006 10:30 PM

Hi Dave
My hard drive crashed I did a reinstall, but now my computer
doesn't recognize me?
Help!
thanks jim

Posted by: Jim at October 11, 2006 6:17 PM

I have not opened my laptop for a few months. It is a titanium running OS 10.4. It is asking me for the password to unlock the FileVault which I do not remember. How can I get into my computer without losing my info? Actually I do not ever remember having to put this in before.
Please help. Desperate.

Posted by: mptrav at November 26, 2006 10:44 PM

Hi Dave!
I'm so glad to have found you!! I just purchased a used iBook G4 and I can't change the admin password. I tried the initial reinstallation of the Mac OS X software, but it asks for the password when I hit the restart button. It won't even begin to reinstall w/out the admin password.
The account is under "John Does". Thanks so much for your help.

Posted by: Diana at December 2, 2006 12:22 PM

I was wondering I forgot my admin root password I went into single user mode and then i made a new account with admin priv. and then i was able to get on again but i dont remember setting up a filevault i dont know if this was done because the system went into sleep mode or if it was turned off by me shutting the computer screen. I was wondering is there a way to unlock my filevault if i dont know the password anymore? If so how and where?
Thanks

Posted by: Dave at February 27, 2007 9:08 PM

I cant login to my mac os x desktop because I forgot my admin password. Its a 1999 version and Aplle. com or any mac 1800 # wont supply me with info. Please help.

Posted by: Liam at March 29, 2007 6:35 PM

When I originally set up this iMac I did so with NO password, now it is asking for one, and not very happy when I leave the field blank... got any tips?

Posted by: Andy at March 30, 2007 5:59 AM

yo nigga

Posted by: david at April 2, 2007 1:51 PM

I have a feeble-minded mother who will never remember a password, and happens to be the admin on her mac osx. I need to know how to change an admin password to blank on panther. thanks!

Posted by: Dee at April 10, 2007 1:14 PM

how_do_i_reset_my_mac_os_x_admin_root_password.html

detail - settings for my iBook were done in Florida-now am in NY and can't change the phone# - can't remember admins password to be able to do this- he and I have tried every combination of our passwords - no go.

Posted by: Sylvia Spingler at May 3, 2007 9:17 AM

Hi Dave

Do you have a list of instructions on how to change the short name on an admin account?

I heard it's a lengthy process? So since I just bought the laptop should I just do a complete reinstall instead? And if so can you send me the instructions on how to do that as well?

Thanks

Zach

Posted by: Zach at May 29, 2007 7:08 PM

hai
i have one mac os x laptop that i didnt use for a long time and i fogot my password ,how to start the computer please help me

Posted by: prak at July 20, 2007 11:59 PM

I just purchased a used iBook G4 and I can't change the admin password. I tried the initial reinstallation of the Mac OS X software, but it asks for the password when I hit the restart button. It won't even begin to reinstall w/out the admin password.

PLEASE HELP.
THANKS

Posted by: MAS at August 22, 2007 8:46 PM

who could change the account password or make a new account without password

Posted by: joe at September 7, 2007 8:32 AM

I was wondering I forgot my admin root password I went into single user mode and then i made a new account with admin priv. and then i was able to get on again but i dont remember setting up a filevault i dont know if this was done because the system went into sleep mode or if it was turned off by me shutting the computer screen. I was wondering is there a way to unlock my filevault if i dont know the password anymore? If so how and where?
Thanks

Posted by: Javier Meza at October 17, 2007 10:04 PM

I bought a used apple computer with mac osx on it. I dont have any disks to it and want to change out old users password. How can I do this without using a disk, if at all possible?

Posted by: ryan at October 27, 2007 8:23 PM

Hi Dave

I messed up - I can't find or remember my password for my G5. How do I change it? My support told me to re-install and hold down the 'C' button - which disk do I use?! I'm running OSX

Hope you can help me.

Glenn

Posted by: glenn fleming at November 1, 2007 2:20 AM

HI Dave,
Setting up my first new Mac and had to install Leopard over the existing Tiger . Set up a sole user account which shows standard user and therefore will not allow me to be system administrator. This should have been automatic but I understand this is a problem when setup is done as described above. I am unable to load any software or install the printer as all require the admin password. I have see a couple of complicated resolutions posted online but am hesitant to try on this new system and am looking for simple directions.
Thanks, Jane

Posted by: Jane at January 16, 2008 8:21 PM

Dave,how glad we are to find your site. New to this G4 we find our outgoing mail address arrives as Root Admin.
It then appears on my friends Emails as ROOT so they have no clue who it is from and may junk rather than open.
How do we delete Root Admin from the address?
Thanks for your help.

Posted by: Karin at March 17, 2008 2:34 AM

How do I delete "ROOT ADMIN" from my email address as they arrive as ROOT which my friends think is junk?

Posted by: Karin at March 17, 2008 5:01 AM

Hi Dave...I have a imac laptop notebook and when i first got it i guess somehow i forgot my admin name and password, and ive tried the whole reinstall with the mac osx install disc but when i try to click on the restart button it askes me for the admin password? any advice would be great...

Posted by: thomas at April 7, 2008 4:23 AM

"When I originally set up this iMac I did so with NO password, now it is asking for one, and not very happy when I leave the field blank... got any tips?"
Rats! that's the ecxact same thing that has happened to me,after a new install of Leopard.
What gives?

Posted by: Ali3N at April 25, 2008 7:13 AM

I forgot admin password for my LCD Tyle mac os x. I dont have CD for it . Is there any way to change my password. Please Help.

Posted by: Jayakanthan at June 26, 2008 4:57 PM

I have a lot to say, but ...
Starbucks coffee cup I have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but most of all I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a chai!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!









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