Q&A for How to Reset a Lost Admin Password on Mac OS X

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  • Question
    How do I reset my administrator password if I forgot it?
    Luigi Oppido
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.
    Luigi Oppido
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Expert Answer
    If you have a Mac and you need to reset the local password, restart the computer, then hit command+R, which is going to go into internet recovery. Launch the terminal, which will bring up a command prompt, then type "resetpassword" as one word. Then, type your new password into the Reset Password dialogue box that pops up.
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    Not Helpful 11 Helpful 6
  • Question
    My computer prompt is 'bash-3.2# '. When I type in the launchctl and systems/Library etc. command, it says either "not recognized" or "access denied". Do you know why ?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Did you forget the "load" command? Be sure to type it all in correctly as shown above!
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    Not Helpful 12 Helpful 29
  • Question
    Will these steps work on a Macbook Air?
    Liza Gaylord
    Liza Gaylord
    Community Answer
    Yes, Macbook Airs have the same operating system (OSX) as other Macbooks. This should work for all Apple computers.
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    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 5
  • Question
    I was given a MacBook secondhand from someone who doesn't remember the password. It won't allow me to shut down without it. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Just hold power for about 5 seconds and it will shut down. After that, click on Command+R to start recovery.
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    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 8
  • Question
    I forgot the system preferences username and password on my Mac Air, and I can't enable the change settings while clicking the lock menu. How do I reset it so I can use it?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Enter "root" as the username and leave the password blank. Then you can access the system preferences menu.
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    Not Helpful 30 Helpful 5
  • Question
    When I try to reset the password it comes up with “authentication server could not be contacted”.
    BertC
    BertC
    Community Answer
    Connect to your WiFi at the network prompt or simply connect to wired ethernet using the proper adapter (depending on Macintosh model either USBA to ethernet, miniDP to ethernet or USBC to ethernet).
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  • Question
    How do I access the command button if I don't have an Apple keyboard?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The command button on other keyboards might be Fn+Left Alt or Fn+Right Alt.
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1
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