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Question

How to hide a user account

by Oct 2, 2014 12:33PM PDT

Hello,

I am looking at http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5017

It gives instructions on how to hide a user account whose name is like 'ann'. How do I enter a user account that consists of both first and last name, like 'ann mccarthy'?

Thanks

Discussion is locked

10 Posts
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Answer
When the account was created for 'ann mccarthy'
by Forum moderator Oct 2, 2014 11:22PM PDT

it was shown in two different ways in the setup dialog windows.

One was the Full Name; in this case ann mccarthy
the other was the
Account name; which would have appeared as annmccarthy

That is the version of the name that you would use when following the instructions in the link you provided

Hope that helps

P

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When account was created for 'ann mccarthy'
by karlo888 Oct 3, 2014 10:13PM PDT

Thank you for responding.

Do you mean, for user name "Ann McCarthy", I enter command like this?

sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow HiddenUsersList -array-add an McCarthy

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No
by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Oct 3, 2014 10:48PM PDT

annmccarthy All ONE word.

Like I have it in my post


P

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not working
by karlo888 Oct 4, 2014 7:43AM PDT

Hi

Yes, I meant annmccarthy. but, it's not working.

In terminal, I entered

sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow HiddenUsersList -array-add annmccarthy

Then, I am asked for a password. I enter Ann McCarthy's password. (I am logged into Ann McCarthy, which is an admin account.)

But, Ann McCarthy still appears on the login screen. Any thoughts or suggestions?

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I could be wrong but it may need the root password.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Oct 4, 2014 8:00AM PDT
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Enabling root did not work
by karlo888 Oct 4, 2014 2:05PM PDT

Thank you for your reply. I enabled root user and entered password. I restarted the machine and logged in as root. I entered the above sudo command in Terminal. I restarted the machine. Ann McCarthy remains in view. I.e., it is still not hidden. Help anyone.

Thanks

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Figured it out
by karlo888 Oct 4, 2014 2:22PM PDT

Had to go into Users & Groups. Then, right-click the user name (Ann McCarthy) and select Advanced Options. The account name then can be viewed. The account name was not annmccarthy. Entering the command in terminal window using this account name did the trick.

Thank you to mrmacfixit and to R. Proffitt for chipping in.

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Just out of curiosity,
by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Oct 5, 2014 12:12AM PDT

what was the account name?
P

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Account Name
by karlo888 Oct 5, 2014 2:03AM PDT

It was the name that had been assigned to the home folder

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That's a very Microsoftian answer.
by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Oct 6, 2014 12:14PM PDT

technically correct but utterly useless.

My account has two names and the name of the Home folder is the two names joined together, like annmccarthy.

What was the name of the home folder in your case?

P

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