How do I reset the administrator password if I have forgotten the previous password?

When I bought my iMac I used my Apple ID as my administrator password. I have since changed my Apple ID but failed to keep a record of the old one (stupid I know!) and I now need the administrator password to download software. Can anyone help me to
1) recover the old administrator password or
2) set up a new administrator password
without losing all the data and photos on my iMac?
Thanks

OS X 10.7 Lion, 10.8 Mountain Lion & 10.9 Mavericks
Reset Password starting from Recovery HD
Start the computer,then press and hold down command and R keys to start into recovery partition.
When you see the Apple logo, release the keys.
Wait until  OS X Utilities window shows up.
Move the mouse to the menubar at the top and click "Utilities", then select "Terminal"
from the drop down.
Terminal window will appear.
Type in   resetpassword   and press enter on the keyboard.
Leave the Terminal window open.
Reset Password Utility window will open with Macintosh HD selected.
Select the user account from the popup menu box.
Enter a new password.
Reenter the new password for the user.
Enter a hint.
Click the "Save" button.
Click  in the menubar and select Restart.
Log in.
If Keychain dialog box appears, select “Create New Keychain”.

Similar Messages

  • How do reset my security questions if I have forgotten the answers I provided to the prior questions and it does not provide me with an option of a rescue email

    How can I reset my security questions if I have forgotten the answers I provided to the security questions and the system doesn't give me an option of a rescue email address though I have provided one when registering.

    Please see Kappy's User Tip here:
    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4551

  • How to recover my password? i have forgotten the last one

    how to recover my password? i have forgotten the last one

    Forgotten Screen-Lock Passcode
    Connect the iOS device to your computer and try to make a backup
    iOS: How to back up
    Then restore via iTunes. The iPod will be erased. Place the iOS device in Recovery Mode if necessary to allow the restore.
    If recovery mode does not work try DFU mode.
    How to put iPod touch / iPhone into DFU mode « Karthik's scribblings
    For how to restore:
    iTunes: Restoring iOS software
    To restore from backup see:
    iOS: How to back up    
    If you restore from iCloud backup the apps will be automatically downloaded. If you restore from iTunes backup the apps and music have to be in the iTunes library since synced media like apps and music are not included in the backup of the iOS device that iTunes makes.
    You can redownload most iTunes purchases by:
    Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store    
    How do I change or recover a forgotten Apple ID Password?
    If you've forgotten your Apple ID Password or want to change it, go to My Apple ID and follow the instructions. SeeChanging your Apple ID password if you'd like more information.

  • How to un lock your Iphone 5 if I have forgotten the code?

    How to un lock your Iphone 5 if I have forgotten the code?

    See here for passcode
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1212

  • How do I unlock phones pass code if I have forgotten the code?

    How do I unlock phones pass code if I have forgotten the code?

    connect it to your normal itunes/computer and restore it as new.

  • HT1414 How do I reset restrictions password when I have forgotten the original one?

    how do I reset the restrictions pass word if I have forgotten the orriginal one?

    If You Are Locked Out, Have Forgotten Your Passcode, or Just Need to Restore Your Device
    1. iTunes 10 for Mac- Update and restore software on iPod, iPhone, or iPad
    2. iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Wrong passcode results in red disabled screen
    3. iOS- Understanding passcodes
    4. What to Do If You've Forgotten Your iPhone's Passcode
    5. How to Recover Forgotten iPhone Restrictions Passcode | The iPhone and iPad
         If you have forgotten your Restrictions code, then follow the instructions
         below but DO NOT restore any previous backup. If you do then you will
         simply be restoring the old Restrictions code you have forgotten. This
         same warning applies if you need to restore a clean system.
    A Complete Guide to Restore or Recover Your iDevice (if You Forget Your Passcode)
    If you need to restore your device or ff you cannot remember the passcode, then you will need to restore your device using the computer with which you last synced it. This allows you to reset your passcode and re-sync the data from the device (or restore from a backup). If you restore on a different computer that was never synced with the device, you will be able to unlock the device for use and remove the passcode, but your data will not be present. Refer to Updating and restoring iPhone, iPad and iPod touch software.
    Try restoring the iOS device if backing up and erasing all content and settings doesn't resolve the issue. Using iTunes to restore iOS devices is part of standard isolation troubleshooting. Restoring your device will delete all data and content, including songs, videos, contacts, photos, and calendar information, and will restore all settings to their factory condition.
    Before restoring your iOS device, Apple recommends that you either sync with iTunes to transfer any purchases you have made, or back up new data (data acquired after your last sync). If you have movie rentals on the device, see iTunes Store movie rental usage rights in the United States before restoring.
    Follow these steps to restore your device:
         1. Verify that you are using the latest version of iTunes before attempting to update.
         2. Connect your device to your computer.
         3. Select your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch when it appears in iTunes under Devices.
         4. Select the Summary tab.
         5. Select the Restore option.
         6. When prompted to back up your settings before restoring, select the
              Back Up option. If you have just backed up the device, it is not necessary
              to create another.
         7. Select the Restore option when iTunes prompts you (as long as you've backed up,
             you should not have to worry about restoring your iOS device).
         8. When the restore process has completed, the device restarts and displays the Apple
             logo while starting up:
               After a restore, the iOS device displays the "Connect to iTunes" screen. For updating
              to iOS 5 or later, follow the steps in the iOS Setup Assistant. For earlier versions of
              iOS, keep your device connected until the "Connect to iTunes" screen goes away or
              you see "iPhone is activated."
         9. The final step is to restore your device from a previous backup. If you do not have a
              backup to restore or have forgotten your restrictions passcode, then restore as New.
    If you are restoring to fix a forgotten Restrictions Code or as a New device, then skip Step 9 and restore as New.

  • HT1918 How to change the security question if I have forgotten the answer

    I have forgotten the answer to my security questions, how do I change the questions/answers?

    You may contact the iTunes Store Support for assistance:
    http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/contact/

  • HT5312 I want to reset my security questions as I have forgotten the ones I had.

    I want to reset my security questions as I have forgotten them. I have tried following your helpful hints but when i go into my account and then security questions I see no link to click on to send a re-set security questions. I have followed what your hints say but can't get any further as there is no link what do I do.

    You need to contact Apple, either through the link in that article or by phoning them.
    (79059)

  • How can I reset my settings to I only have to enter my password once as long as making purchases in the same session?

    Before I got my new IPhone, when I purchased from ITunes store, I only had to enter my passcode once as long as I was not idle for more than 5 minutes. Now, when I try to purchase songs, each one I select requires me to re-enter my passcode. Very annoying. How do I reset this to my original setting of only having to enter it once?
    Thanks for the help.
    CandyGirl56

    What do you currently have Settings > General > Restrictions > Require Password set to ? It has two options : 'Immediately' (so your password would need to be entered for every download), and '15 minutes' (you wouldn't need to re-enter your password for 15 minutes after entering it)

  • How do i reset my security questions if i've forgotten the answers to them?

    I have used Itues for quite some time...the last time i went to upload some itunes money into my account i had to answer my security questions after signing in and trying to purchase a song.  I can't not for the life of me remember how i answered my questions (stupid me)... so I am hoping there is a way to reset those????  I have money in my account but no access to spend it since i keep getting the questions aswered wrong!  Please help.....

    Reset Security Questions
    Frequently asked questions about Apple ID
    Manage My Apple ID
    Or you can email iTunes Support at iTunes Store Support.
    If all else fails:
      1. Go to: Apple Express Lane;
      2. Under Product Categories choose iTunes;
      3. Then choose iTunes Store;
      4. Then choose Account Management;
      5. Now choose iTunes Store Security and answer the bullet questions, then click
          Continue;
      6. Sign in with your Apple ID and press Continue;
      7. Under Contact Options fill out the information and advise iTunes that you would
          like your security/challenge questions reset;
      8. Click Send/Continue.
    You should get a response within 24 hours by email.
    In the event you are unsuccessful then contact AppleCare - Contacting Apple for support and service.
    Another user had success doing the following:
    I got some help from an apple assistant on the phone. It is kind of round about way to get in.
    Here is what he said to do and it is working for me...
      a. on the device that is asking you for the security questions go to "settings", > "store" >
          tap the Apple ID and choose view"Apple ID" and sign in.
      b. Tap on payment information and add a credit/debit card of your preference then select
          "done", in the upper right corner
      c. sign out and back into iTunes on the device by going to "settings"> "store" > tap the
          Apple ID and choose "sign-out" > Tap "sign -in" > "use existing Apple ID" and you
          should be asked to verify your security code for the credit /debit card and NOT the
          security questions.
      d. At this time you can remove the card by going back in to edit the payment info and
          selecting "none" as the card type then saving the changes by selecting "done". You
          should now be able to use your iTunes store credit without answering the security
          questions.
    It's working for me ...I just have to put in my 3 digit security pin from the credit card I am using.
    Good Luck friends!

  • HT1212 how do i reset my i pod first generation  ive forgotten the pass word

    how do i reset i pod first generation

    See Here  >  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1808
    You may need to try this More than Once...  Be sure to Follow ALL the Steps...
    After you have Recovered your Device...
    Re-Sync your Content or Restore from the most recent Backup...
    Restore from Backup  >  http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1766

  • How can I reset my security questions if i have forgotten them

    How do I reset questions

    Call Apple to help reset your Security Question.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5699

  • HT5312 How do I reset my security questions as I have forgotten them?

    I am using my iPhone to purchase a song and I have forgotten my security questions is there a way to reset them without a recovery e-mail?

    You need to contact Apple. Click here, phone them, and ask for the Account Security team.
    (87602)

  • HT1349 how can i reset my security question answers - (i have forgotten old answers)

    i really have no clue and i have tried every answer i could think of, please help me

    Click here for information. If the option to have the answers emailed to you isn't available or doesn't work(the email may take a few hours to arrive), contact the iTunes Store staff via the link in that article.
    (88608)

  • HT204088 Can you change the security questions if you have forgotten the answers?

    I have a new Ipad 2,but when I went to buy an app it came up with my securitiy questions I had forgotten then. is there a way to change them?

    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4551

Maybe you are looking for