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View Full Version : How to change MacBook Username?



pinoyplaya
Mar 25, 2009, 01:28 PM
Hey everyone. I got my MacBook yesterday and during the Mac Setup as I first booted the device, it asked me for information including my mac user id (the one I use for iTunes purchases and etc). Now, I didnt know that my computer would have this as its directory. Because I use my e-mail account as my username on iTunes.

When I click on the finder, it shows my e-mail address under "Places" but without the @msn.com and etc.

So how do I go about changing that to something else? Any ideas?

Thanks


Prekesh
Mar 25, 2009, 01:52 PM
i have the same 'problem' it has my name in lowercaps, prekeshchavda, and it looks really stupid.
yellow
Mar 25, 2009, 02:02 PM
The "short username" is always in lowercase letters.
This is just a system tradition from the UNIX world and I don't think there's anyway to change that.

However, if you want to change your short username, here some instructions:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1428
JamesGorman
Mar 25, 2009, 04:29 PM
you just gotta catch that page during set up. I changed mine to just say "James" instead of jamesgorman, which to me looks stupid with no upper case and no space in it.
angemon89
Mar 25, 2009, 05:36 PM
I too mistakenly put my email address as my short name 2 years ago when I got my first Mac. It bothers me to this day. When snow leopard is out, I think I will start fresh with a new user and transfer my files over manually. That way I get rid of my horrible short name.
Macman756
Mar 25, 2009, 06:24 PM
Yup, short names can't be change, you can always erase and reinstall. I do that once a year or every new OS.
pinoyplaya
Mar 25, 2009, 07:03 PM
Well... I just got mine yesterday.. though I dont know if its worth all the hassle to restore lol. Its not like its gonna matter anyway :(

Though I would really love to have it changed haha. Without the need to restore of course.
lankox
Mar 25, 2009, 08:22 PM
What about System Preferences - Accounts - Click on lock and input password - right click main account - advanced options - change short user name?
Prekesh
Mar 25, 2009, 08:25 PM
What about System Preferences - Accounts - Click on lock and input password - right click main account - advanced options - change short user name?

oh yeah, that might work, but its all "OMG IF U CHANGE UR MAC GONNA DIE"

:(
nuttyboy78
Mar 25, 2009, 08:43 PM
Well, if you haven't installed too much software already, just create another admin account under the name that you actually want and then delete the one with the crazy name. No need to reinstall.