Rename a user and extension

[humaira]

I'm having trouble figuring out how to rename a user name on my mac. I inherited it when I transferred data from an older mac. I no longer have that job title and I just want to change it to my name. The name & extension text box is greyed out and i am unable to change it. But the "user" doesn't show up in the users and groups tab of system preferences. I'm hoping this is a basic problem that someone has an easy solution for!

 

[keysofanxiety]

I'm having trouble figuring out how to rename a user name on my mac. I inherited it when I transferred data from an older mac. I no longer have that job title and I just want to change it to my name. The name & extension text box is greyed out and i am unable to change it. But the "user" doesn't show up in the users and groups tab of system preferences. I'm hoping this is a basic problem that someone has an easy solution for!

How did you transfer the data? If it's not showing as a user in System Preferences, you can just create a new user account from there and transfer the data from the desktop/documents folder. If the folder's locked, right-click it, and select 'Get Info'. Then unlock and add read/write privileges to it.

Could you supply some screenshots please? I'm a little confused at exactly what the issue is so I'd rather be sure I'm recommending a correct course of action.

 

[humaira]

Thanks for your reply! I'd love to fix this. So here's a screenshot of the "user" I'd like to rename:

See how the Name & Extension text box is grayed out? I want to change the associate-director label to my own name.

 

[Darth.Titan]

Thanks for your reply! I'd love to fix this. So here's a screenshot of the "user" I'd like to rename:View attachment 575752

See how the Name & Extension text box is grayed out? I want to change the associate-director label to my own name.

You can't change your user name that way. The safest way is to create a new user with the name you want, then move your stuff from one account to the other, then delete the old user.

There is a way to change a short username in the Users System Prefs, but it is very easy for things to go very wrong.

 

[humaira]

You can't change your user name that way. The safest way is to create a new user with the name you want, then move your stuff from one account to the other, then delete the old user.

There is a way to change a short username in the Users System Prefs, but it is very easy for things to go very wrong.

ok so here's how much of a rookie I am: I can't figure out how to move stuff. The file structure on a mac is much less user friendly than on a pc. any tips?

 

[Taz Mangus]

ok so here's how much of a rookie I am: I can't figure out how to move stuff. The file structure on a mac is much less user friendly than on a pc. any tips?

Here is how to do it: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201548