Change Account Name, User Name and Home Directory?

[jaybar]

Hi

I was sharing the same account with my husband, in our iMac.

I created a second account. He will be using the first account and I will be using the second.

Is there a compelling reason to change the account name, user name and home directory on the first account? Is it better to change the account name and leave the other things unchanged? I heard it is tricky to change the user name and home directory. Things are working well so I am cautious. We both are administrators if that matters.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

It's doable: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201548

It used to be much harder (which is why my home folder is still named lasse1 and not lasse, because I never bothered doing this after a few migrations 😉), but now it "only" 10 steps.

Note: As the page says, be sure you have backed up all data you cannot afford losing before you start!

 

[BrianBaughn]

If you're using Time Machine to backup your computer you might find that you cannot access older backups once such a change is made.

 

[Fishrrman]

There's no reason to change the name of the original account (that will now become your husband's, is that a correct assumption?).

You might want to move some files that "were yours" from his account to yours.

However, if you attempt to copy them directly from one account to the other, permissions problems may arise.

I -think- that you can copy stuff you want to move to the users/shared folder first. Then copy from that folder into your new home folder. That way the stuff that is being moved should come under your "ownership" in your new account.
(I've never tried this myself...)

 

[cwanja]

There's no reason to change the name of the original account (that will now become your husband's, is that a correct assumption?).

You might want to move some files that "were yours" from his account to yours.

However, if you attempt to copy them directly from one account to the other, permissions problems may arise.

I -think- that you can copy stuff you want to move to the users/shared folder first. Then copy from that folder into your new home folder. That way the stuff that is being moved should come under your "ownership" in your new account.
(I've never tried this myself...)

This, I would suggest this. Separate your documents and leave any that both parties will need in the share location and then just create two new accounts. Once that is completed, go forth and move the documents you need out of the share into your new home account.

 

[old-wiz]

Changing things like home directory name, account name, etc is not a good idea. all kinds of weird issues may arise. Just my thoughts.