In Mac OS X, how do I create and delete users?

To allow users to log into your Mac OS X computer, you must create an account for each of them.

Creating a new user in Mac OS X

1. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences... .
   
   
2. From the View menu, select Accounts.
   
   
3. If it's locked, click the padlock in the bottom-left corner of the window, and then authenticate as an administrator.
   
   
4. Under the list of user accounts, click + (the plus sign).
   
   
5. In Mac OS X 10.5, from the menu next to "New Account:", select the type of account you want to create. To allow this user to make changes to the system settings, add programs, and perform other system functions beyond basic use, select Administrator. For lower access accounts, choose Standard or Managed with Parental Controls as appropriate. Sharing Only and Group are special options for specific needs. For more information, refer to your operating system's documentation.
   
   Note: Selecting Administrator will give the user the ability to make changes to your system without your approval.
   
   
6. In the "Name:" field, enter the new user's real name.
   
   
7. In the "Short Name:" field, enter a username you wish to assign to the user. This name is limited to eight alphanumeric characters.

   Note: At Indiana University, UITS strongly recommends that you use your IU Network ID username for the short name. This is necessary in order to access some services on the IU network.

8. In the "Password:" field, type a password for the user, then type it again in the "Verify:" field. You can optionally set a password hint for the user. Try to use something only the new user will understand as the reminder hint, or leave this field blank.
   
   
9. In Mac OS X 10.4, if you wish to allow this user to make changes to the system settings, add programs, and perform other system functions beyond basic use, select Allow user to administer this computer or Allow user to administer this machine. Selecting this option will give the user the ability to make changes to your system without your approval.
   
   
10. Click Create Account.

Deleting a user in Mac OS X

1. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences... .
   
   
2. From the View menu, select Accounts.
   
   
3. Select the name of the user you want to delete, and under the list of accounts, click - (the minus sign).
   
   
4. In Mac OS X 10.5, choose Save the home folder in a disk image, Do not change the home folder, or Delete the home folder depending on how or whether you want to save the user's data, and then click OK. In Mac OS X 10.4, click OK to save the deleted user's data or Delete Immediately if you don't want to retain it.

Also see:

• In Mac OS X, how do I password-protect my computer?
• In Mac OS X, how do I transfer files between two OS X accounts?