Mac OS X v10.5: Working with user accounts and Accounts preferences

You can use Accounts preferences to configure or delete user accounts in Mac OS X. Each account can have its own log in, password, preferences, desktop items, and so forth. You can also easily switch between accounts or move files from one account to another. You can automatically log in as a certain account when Mac OS X starts, or display the login window instead. You can specify applications or files to open automatically when the account logs in.

Different kinds of user accounts

If you are not sure what the difference is between an Administrator, Standard, Sharing Only, or Managed with Parental Controls account, see this article for more information.

Resetting an account password

If you forgot an account's password, see this article.

Creating or modifying accounts

For information about creating or modifying user accounts, see this article.

Deleting accounts

Learn about how to delete an account here.

Switching between accounts

You can switch between accounts either by logging out of one account and into another, or by using fast user switching.

Enabling or disabling automatic login

If you want Mac OS X to automatically log in as a certain user account during start up, see this article.

If you want to require users to always log in when Mac OS X starts up, click here for more information. If you are concerned about the security of information on your computer, you should disable automatic login.

Configuring items that open when an account logs in (login items)

If you want certain applications, or even documents, to open when an account logs in, see this article.

FileVault

You can add extra security by enabling FileVault for your account(s). FileVault encrypts all files in your Home folder.

Troubleshooting certain situations with a new user account

Sometimes when troubleshooting a software issue, it may be helpful to create a new user account, log in as that account, and test for the issue. This is discussed in section "B" of this article.

Transferring files from one account to another on the same Mac

You can use your Shared folder:

1. Log in to the account you wish to copy files from.
2. In the Finder, navigate to the Shared folder.  It is located in the Users folder.
3. Copy any files or folders you wish to the Shared folder, such as items on your desktop, in your Documents folder, in your Music folder, and so forth. You may be asked to enter an administrator password when copying certain items. Note: To ensure that you copy items (as opposed to moving items), hold the Option key as you drag files to the Shared folder.  Depending on item permissions, some files or folders will copy by default, some may move by default.
4. Log out of the current account.
5. Log in to the new account (that you are transferring files to).
6. In the Finder, navigate to the Shared folder.  It is located in the Users folder.
7. Copy any files or folders you wish from the Shared folder to the desired locations, such as desktop, Documents folder, Music folder, and so forth. You may be asked to enter an administrator password when copying certain items.
    

Advanced tip: This advanced article offers an alternative way to copy directly from one account's Home folder to another (steps 1 through 3, and 18 through 40). However, this requires enabling the root user, and disabling FileVault if it is on.