How to Delete Admin User on Mac

If you want to delete any users on your Mac, you need to be an administrator first. This is helpful as if one account has not been used in a long time, then it can be deleted to free up space and possibly make your Mac run quicker by de-cluttering it.

You can delete admin user on Mac with a few simple steps. Make sure you are not currently using that particular account if you want to delete it. Start with opening the System Preferences from the dock. Now, go to Users & Groups from the list of options. Here, please tap on the small lock icon and enter the admin password to unlock it. Next, select the user you want to delete and click on the small – icon below. This will delete that user from Mac.

This article guides how you can delete an old admin account on your Mac. Keep reading to find out more.

Table of Contents

Before deleting an old admin account, there are some things you need to be aware of some things. To do this, you need to use already an administrator account, which allows you to change the other accounts on your Mac. Refer to the steps provided below to see how it is done.

Open System Preferences by clicking on the Apple logo.
Alternatively, you can also use the shortcut present on the dock.
Click on Users & Groups.

Click on the small lock at the bottom left corner of the window.
Enter your admin password to unlock the lock and allow for changes to be made.

Now, select the user that you want to delete from the menu on the left-hand side.
Click on the “-” icon to remove that particular account from your Mac.

You can now choose to Save the home folder in a disk image or Delete the home folder. If you choose the first option, it will allow you to access your account later on, and if you choose the latter, the home folder will be deleted permanently.
Now, click on Delete user.

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How to Delete Admin Account on Mac Without Password

Suppose you get a Mac with an admin account to which you do not know the password or you’ve forgotten it. You can still delete that admin user and start fresh. First, a password isn’t necessary to delete an old admin account.

Creating a New Admin Account

You need to create a new admin account and then use it to remove the old one. Follow the steps provided below to see how it is done.

Restart your Mac.
Once you see the boot screen hold down the Command key and press S.
A black-and-white dialogue box should pop up on the screen. You need to type “ /sbin/mount -uw / “ without quotations and hit the return key.
Once you can see “Root” show up on the screen, type “ rm var/db/.applesetupdone “ and press return once again.
When you see “Root” again, type in “ reboot “ and press the return key to restart your system.

After finishing up with all of this, you will be prompted to select the main language and the country you reside in to set up your Mac.

You can also import data from another device if you want to on the next screen; if you do not have any data to import, click on Not now. Furthermore, you’ll be asked to turn on the location of your Mac.

Once that is done, you will be taken to a screen where you can enter your Apple ID and password. You can use an existing Apple ID or create a new one if you wish to.

You can skip this entire step and return to it later. Next, you’ll be met with a license agreement on which you’ll have to click Agree.

You’ll be prompted to create a new account; this will be the new one you will use to log in to the Mac. Furthermore, write down the password of your choice and make sure you remember it.

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Delete the Admin User on Mac

Now we can begin deleting the previous admin account from Mac. Follow the steps provided below to see how it is done.

Open System Preference and Head over to the Users & Groups tab.
Click on the small lock button and enter your admin password to make changes.
Now, select the previous admin account you want to remove from the list on the left-hand side.
Click on the “-” button below the list.
A new dialogue box will pop up on the screen; select Delete this home folder and click OK.

You can also save and archive the information from your previous account; choose the Save the home folder as a disk image. This prevents any data from being deleted while removing the account from your Mac.

Furthermore, a disk image will be generated for the previously used admin account ad saved inside Deleted users and groups.

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Conclusion

That’s it for this article, folks; now you know how to delete an admin user on Mac and how you can delete an admin user without the password. Furthermore, you can gain admin access on Mac if you’ve forgotten the password by following the method mentioned above to create a new account.

However, you only need to enter the minimum required information to log in to your Mac. Once that is done, you can head over to the System Preferences, enter your login info for the new account and then change the password for any other accounts.

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Robert

Robert is a tech expert (with more than 10 years of experience in using mac os and iPhone) who loves to help others learn about the Mac operating system and iPhone. He provides helpful tutorials on how to use Mac OS, tips and tricks for getting the most out of your Mac operating system, iPhone tips and tricks, and more. He’s always up for a challenge and enjoys learning new things about his favorite OS. When he’s not helping people get the most out of their technology, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two cats. Check out more.