Cannot switch admin account to standard

I've managed to convert my admin account to a standard account on my MacBook Pro, however, on my iMac this didn't work. Both systems were upgraded from Mavericks to Yosemite, the iMac from ML to Mavericks.
I cannot disable the Allow user to administer this computer item on my iMac -- that is, I did disable it, I was requested to reboot after that, but now the box is still ticked but I cannot untick it (from the Admin account that I've created). So I'm still working with admin rights .

In a way it makes sense that the original Admin Account can;t be changed. If a user changed that account to non-admin and that was the only admin account it would be a mess to undo it. I agree that there should be some indication of this and even the ability to over rider it in a case like yours.
As there isn't the next best thing will be for you to duplicate the current admin account as a new user account and then use that duplicated account.
See How to copy a user account for instructions on how to duplicate an account.
post back if you have any questions.
regards

Similar Messages

Admin accounts now standard

I have a MacBook Pro that overnight changed all the admin accounts to standard user account including the ROOT account. I even followed the instructions in the apple article TS1278 but it still leaves the root account as an admin. Other than performing a reinstall, is there anything else that can be done.

Hi,
I've to revamp this discussion to clearify few doubts about V.K.'s procedure
I've read the procedure at this link:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7747478
I've to ask something to you V.K.:
1) Sorry but English is not my mother-language so... I can't completely understand this part of your post:
+"If you can't get rid of errors do not proceed with other commands and enter+
reboot
+This will reboot the computer. Post back. "+
Do you mean that if I NOT get errors message I've to reboot the computer and reapeat the "fsck -fy" procedure or I've to reboot anyway and checking again the disk?
2) When you talk about recreating the Administrator Group, if I have more then a user (for istance: A and B), but I want only 1 admin (A), I'll digit only the unix command about user A, is it right?
Will it not cause any problem to user B? Will it still remain a standard user?
Thanks for any response to my questions,
Matteo
Message was edited by: Macteo

Cannot change admin user to standard user (2 Admin Accounts)

I have an issue that I would like some help with. When I purchased my iMac a few years ago, I created one user account and just started using my computer. I am trying to implement a few Safe Computing practices by creating a new Admin user account and changing my original user account to a Standard user.
For some reason, I cannot change either of the accounts to a standard user after I type in the password. I've logged in as both and tried to change the other user profile to a standard user, but the checkbox is greyed out on both of the Admin User accounts.
I can create a new standard user, but I have everyting set the way I like it on my current Admin user account. It would be much easier to have a new Admin User account and "Downgrade" my original Admin account to a standard user account.
Any thoughts on why the option to change from an Admin user to a standard user would be "Greyed Out"? The support articles walk me through, what should be a few simple steps, but I can not change the settings because the checkbox is greyed out.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts, suggestions, ideas....

In a way it makes sense that the original Admin Account can;t be changed. If a user changed that account to non-admin and that was the only admin account it would be a mess to undo it. I agree that there should be some indication of this and even the ability to over rider it in a case like yours.
As there isn't the next best thing will be for you to duplicate the current admin account as a new user account and then use that duplicated account.
See How to copy a user account for instructions on how to duplicate an account.
post back if you have any questions.
regards

Mac OS X Server 10.7 changed my admin account to standard

Hello everyone,
I have a big problem. I installed Mac OS X Server from Mac App Store. Then I deleted it, but Mac OS X Server changed my administrator account to standard account and I cannot administrate my Mac mini :-(. I cannot use my password and there is not any other administrator account. Do you know to change back my standard account to administator account? Thank You

10.7 How to create a new admin account on the machine when you can't log in.
Hold command and r keys down and boot into Recovery, open Terminal and type each and press enter
rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
reboot
Once in:
Open System Preferences > Users and Groups
Click on the lock icon, enter admin password.
Select your old user account and click on the reset password button on the right
Enter the new password, write both passwords down less you forget
Reboot and log in.

Lost admin account now standard

My admin account has changed for some reason and now is a Standard account only. So I cannot upgrade any software or perform any admin functions on this iMac G4 now. How can I upgrade this account again to perform Admin functions ?
Many thanks,
Charles

Catch 22
It says start from your Mac OS X Install DVD. However to do so from System Preferences/Startup Disk requires an Administrator account and password which I no longer have as the admin account has disappeared.
Any other ideas anyone please ?
Thanks,
Charles

Downloading and installing on admin account vs standard account

What is the difference for downloading and installing files when:
logged in on an admin account
logged in on a standard account (using the admin details when prompted)
I ask this, because when I am in my standard account, the downloaded files and installed applications are owned by the standard account. Does this affect how the files run on other standard accounts?

In other words, is it better to do all downloading and installing whilst logged into the admin account? The Ownership & Permissions is stopping me from doing this when logged in on my standard account. There are many other standard accounts, and I am concerned that my standard account will not be equal. This is because of the permissions issues outlined previously.
P.S. Sorry for the multiple posts. I can't find a way to edit the original post.

Does disabling specific OS functionality in Terminal with Admin account affect standard users too?

Hello,
I am performing some security enhanacements and had a question:
Is it safe to assume that any service-disabling Terminal command that I enter under my Admin account will affect all standard users as well? I other words, any string that includes "System/Library/LaunchDaemon..." etc will affect all standard users too, right? I am presuming that if the services I am disabling were only for individual user logins, the string would start with 'user' and not 'system.' Is this correct?
I disabled all that I wanted under my Admin account, but am wondering if I need to do the same for each standard account too (which would pose a problem because the standard accounts don't have 'sudoer' access) . . .
Thanks!

any string that includes "System/Library/LaunchDaemon..." etc will affect all standard users too, right?
Yes. I suggest you make yourself completely familiar with the OS X startup process before you start making changes.
Technical Note TN2083: Daemons and Agents

Transferring files from admin account to standard account w/Filevault on

Hey everybody,
Morning! I want to transfer all of my files from my Admin account to a Standard account for better security but Filevault is activated on both. I saw the post in the Apple Support Community: http://discussions.apple.com/thread/3009375?start=15&tstart=0 ; but I don't know if this will apply to my current situation because Filevault is on. Any help would be aptly thanked my peeps. Peace.

So I tried following the commands in the link and ended up moving my home folder from User 1 to User 2 but now I can change the ownership over to User 2. I trashed the the copied folder from User 1 while in User 2 and it deleted everything on my User 1 account so I had to put it back. PLEASE HELP!!

Airport network + 1 admin account + 1 standard account on the same Mac

Hello,
I have not succeeded yet in finding in this forum any answer to my problem but I guess this is a quite familiar one and may be some of you could help.
My configuration:
1) one Imac G5 Power PC (OS 10.4.6) + 1 Airport Express base station with firmware 6.3 (mostly to play Itunes on distant loudspeakers and, sometimes, for Ethernet connection).
2) one domestic Airport network protected with a WAP key.
3) 1 admin user account + 1 standard user account, both on the same Mac.
My concern:
1) When I am connected to to the admin account, my Airport network starts automatically (especially, thanks to the configuration settings "automatically connect to to the last network used" (or smthg like that) => so far, so good.
2) When I try to connect to the standard account (even when the admin one is already started), I always receive a window for authentification requiring an admin name and password for Airport (com.apple.airport.allow.network.cha): at this time the Airport icon in the menu bar is gray (no signal nor no activity?) and, in the list of the possible networks, my own one is not marked (meaning "not started"). Of course, as soon as I key in the correct data in the authentification window, the AE network starts for the standard account session => this behavior concerns me since the interest of a standard account is to have it running without the support of the admin user.
3) Last but not least and very strange behavior: when I am at step 2) (connection to the standard account), if I do not fill immediately the authentification form and go back to the admin account, when coming back again to the standard one, the authentification window has disappeared and the AE network is already running => magic but not comfortable in a normal way of doing.
Is this a problem of configuration of the AE network or configuration of the user accounts or a keychain problem? I have investigated in all areas for a while but without success at this time. Hope some of you will be able to help.
Sincerely
Christophe

Hello again,
I have not received yet any answer to my initial post (see above) but, unfortunately, the troubles described keep going. I noticed that, some of you, seem to be very familiar with Airport troubleshooting. May be, some of you will be able to help.
In addition to my initial description here is the content of the authentification window and, especially, the system element which requires an admin password for the standard account. May be it could help for a better understanding of the problem and a better investigation:
" Authorization : com.apple.airport.allow.network.cha
Tool : airport (complete path = Imac G5 de myname / System / Library / PrivateFrameworks / Apple80211.framework / Resources / airport "
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Christophe
Imac (2GHz PowerPC G5) Mac OS X (10.4.7) Airport Express station (firmware 6.3)
Imac G5 (2GHz PowerPC G5) Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Lost Admin Account - Only Standard ones remain... Please Help!

Okay this one is a real kicker, About 10 months ago I helped a friend upgrade their iMac 1.6 G5 to Leopard. All went well and they installed all the updates etc.
A few month ago the Logic Board failed and they got a local Apple Engineers firm to replace the new logic board. They did this and the machine runs fine... however.
They now want help setting up a time machine drive, but... and here is comes... the accounts on the machine... all of them are Standard accounts. None of them are Administration accounts.
So the time machine setting are locked, I click the padlock to unlock and I get prompted for admin Username and Password... both fields are blank. SO I check in the Accounts settings to find that both Users on the machine are Standard and neither have Admin writes.
I can only presume that the company that replaced the logic board, created a new admin account, reset the other accounts to standard, did the work, then deleted the Admin account they created and forgot to reset the Standard accounts back to admin (I have spoken them and they deny all knowledge). before giving it back to my friend.
Is there anyway to find out what the Admin account details are...? Or maybe even root details... (in terminal) so I can at least unlock the User control panel and reset the user accounts back to admin.
Please help with this one... I didn't even know it was possible to run a MAc without an admin account?!

Then, try the steps in http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1274 and http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1323191 If nothing there works, then your only solution is to make copies of the Users and Applications folders to another disk, wipe the current one, reinstall the OS, create a new admin user account, use the migration assistant to transfer the Users to the machine, change their status to admin, ensure that works, and delete the new account. Do the same with the Applications or reinstall them. Once you sort things out, make a bootable backup/clone on an ext HD so this never occurs again.

OS X server Admin accounts turned Standard

i am running 10.8.5 server on a mac pro. I tried to login to my OD server and found that all of the admin accounts were changed to Standard. I logged into root to try and fix it but that would let me log in but not change any of the accounts to admin.

Do you have a question?

I cannot switch gmail account users in iTunes

I am trying to sync my wife's iphone with her gmail account but it keeps pulling contacts from my gmail account instead.
I first configured itunes to use my gmail account for my iphone some months ago. I keep my iphone in sync with my gmail account.
This morning I plug in my wife's new iphone, change the contacts sync account to her gmail account, using her password, and then sync the device. Her phone is now populated with my gmail contacts, not hers. I've checked her gmail contacts via the web and they are not the same as what is in my account.
I turned off contact syncing, selected the option to remove contacts, resync'ed, then her phone had no contacts - this was the correct and expected behaviour.
I shutdown iTunes, relaunched, checked the contacts sync option again, verified that the gmail account was set to her user id and password, re-sync'ed and it still downloaded the contacts from my gmail account.
Besides being extremely frustrating that I cannot manage two iPhones with two different gmail accounts, this seems like a huge security hole if iTunes is secretly caching my gmail account credentials.

Try going to www.appleid.apple.com on your Mac/PC and resetting your password.

Unix to discover standard accounts and admin accounts

I've been poking around with niutil without success for a unix command (or series of commands) I can issue to remote clients via ARD3 to return:
1. a list of shortnames of all user accounts on a client machine, and
2. whether they are admin accounts or standard accounts.
Thanks in advance.

I wouldn't know the specifics of how to do this exactly, but can give you an outline of how I would attack the problem.
1) NetInfo stores the system's security information in a DB, perhaps you could query it for a list of user accounts?
2) Any user who has logged in to a given machine will have a user folder. Why not just write a script to give you the contents of the /Users folder?
HTH
-Ian

Unable to switch screen mode from standard: PS CS5

Full screen with or without menus is grayed out in the view menu and the view dropdown selector from the menu bar. I have quit and re-entered PS and have reset all workspaces to default. I have checked that I'm working in 64 bit. I still cannot switch screen mode from standard. Last update was to 12.04. Last extension installed was photokit sharpener.
Thanks for any help. (PS, how do I reset preferences file on a mac?)
Cathy
Pertinent info:
Adobe Photoshop Version: 12.0.4 (12.0.4x20110407 [20110407.r.1265 2011/04/07:02:00:00 cutoff; r branch]) x64
Operating System: Mac OS 10.6.7
System architecture: Intel CPU Family:6, Model:37, Stepping:5 with MMX, SSE Integer, SSE FP, SSE2, SSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, HyperThreading
Physical processor count: 2
Logical processor count: 4
Processor speed: 3200 MHz
Built-in memory: 4096 MB
Free memory: 2353 MB
Memory available to Photoshop: 3698 MB
Memory used by Photoshop: 69 %
Image tile size: 128K
Image cache levels: 4
OpenGL Drawing: Enabled.
OpenGL Drawing Mode: Normal
OpenGL Allow Normal Mode: True.
OpenGL Allow Advanced Mode: False.
OpenGL Crash File: Not Detected.
OpenGL Allow Old GPUs: Not Detected.
OpenGL Version: 2.1 ATI-1.6.26
Video Card Vendor: ATI Technologies Inc.
Video Card Renderer: ATI Radeon HD 5670 OpenGL Engine
Display: 1
Main Display
Display Depth:= 32
Display Bounds:= top: 0, left: 0, bottom: 1080, right: 1920
Video Renderer ID: 16915203
Video Card Memory: 501 MB

Ahh, I knew it was probably something simple. No I didn't have a doc open since I was just working with prefs and trying to set desktop color. Banging my head now on my desk. Bam! So dumb ...
Thanks so much for solving my problem.

Admin account switched to standard with Lepard instal, please help!!

I'll try to make this quick and easy. I have a mac mini that came with 10.4.5. I continuously performed updates and had no problems until July. In July my computer completely crashed so I reinstalled 10.4.5. After the install I could not get the updates to work, I even went back and tried the the first update for 10.4.5. (Important note) at this time my admin account was still active and working. So with the computer not updating I decided to install Leopard. The Leopard update was successful except for the fact that my admin account was changed to a standard account. This is where the problems really starts. Please keep in mind that I have weeks of research into my problem and every solution I've tried so far has not worked. Here are just a few examples of what I have tried. I have tried to enable the root user through directory utility, accounts, 10.4.5 install disk utility reset password and a couple of other methods that I cant think of off the top of my head. Now hear are the problems I'm having. Some of the enable root options require an admin account and password. Other enable root options require that I go to certain files or folders to enable the root but with this option I don't have that file or folder and/or it does not work due to the fact that my computer is 10.4.5 and not 10.5 and newer. Now the last couple of options require that I run the install disc to reset password or that I trash everything and start from new. The problem with this is I can't get the install disk to run. I have tried to insert the disk, click on the install icon but it requires an admin name and password to preform a restart. I have kept the install disk in the drive and have performed restart and shut down/power up from the apple menu. I have powered down and back up with the power button. Now keep in mind that I have tried every option without holding down the "C" key and with holding down the "C" key with no results. So to sum this last bit up, no matter how I try to restart the computer the install disk will not run and my computer will boot up like normal and bring me to the desk top. One more note, I have tried all the restart options with the 10.4.5 disk and the leopard disc. At this point I want to start from scratch and perform an install of 10.4.5. At this point it does not mater if I loose everything since it is all backed up on an external HD. Please help I am open to all ideas and options.
Thanks, Dan

Dan, does it stat in Single User Mode? If so, we can get a new admin User.
applesetupdone...
This was Posted by: JoseAranda at September 9, 2006 3:48 AM
"OK, restart your computer, hold down Command-s and type in the following:
/sbin/fsck -fy Enter
/sbin/mount -uaw Enter
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone Enter
# The rm command is the remove command which deletes the file.
# Robert: I'd rename the file via: mv /var/db/.applesetupdone /var/db/.applesetupdone.old
reboot Enter
Once you've done that the computer reboots and it's like the first time you used the machine. Your old accounts are all safe. From there you just change all other account passwords in the account preferences!!
end of posted by: JoseAranda"
Reset OS X Password Without an OS X CD...
http://theappleblog.com/2008/06/22/reset-os-x-password-without-an-os-x-cd/

Cannot switch admin account to standard

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