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Reset the Admin Password in OS X

Latest update on by David Webb .

This tutorial will teach you how to reset your admin password in Mac OS X 10.6 without the installation discs. This method will be done through a system reboot in Single User Mode.


Reset Admin Password on Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6

The below instructions also applies to Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) and Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard).
  • Boot your Mac while holding the Command + S keys down to access the Single User Mode. Then run the following commands:
  • Type mount -uw / and press Enter.
  • Type launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist and press Enter.
  • Type ls /Users and press Enter (this command list the all users accounts registered on the computer).
  • Type dscl . -passwd /Users/username password and press Enter. Replace username by the name of the desired user account. Replace password with your new password.
  • Type reboot and press Enter.

Reset Admin Password on Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)

The procedure is slightly different for Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger). Restart the Mac in Single User Mode and run the following commands:
  • Type sh /etc/rc / and press Enter.
  • Type passwd username and press Enter. Replace username by the name of the desired user account.
  • Enter the new password (it does not appear on screen).
  • Type reboot and press Enter.

Photo: Unsplash
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