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How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac

It's easy to forget passwords. If you're lucky enough to own a Mac, you have an easy option for recovering access to your computer with minimal risk to your computer's security. These instructions should run you through the process of...
Method 1 of 2:

Resetting Password on a Mac running OS X 10.7 – 10.10

  1. How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 1How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 1
    Restart your Mac. When your Mac begins its startup process, hold down the "Command" and "R" keys.
  2. How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 2How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 2
    Open Terminal.
    1. Click "Utilities" in the menu bar.
    2. Select "Terminal".
  3. How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 3How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 3
    Type "reset password" into Terminal and hit "Enter". This will result in a reset password tool popping up.
  4. How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 4How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 4
    Select your computer's hard drive. In some isolated cases your computer's hard drive may not show up. This occurs if your hard drive is encrypted and can't be modified with this password tool.
  5. How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 5How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 5
    Choose a user to reset.
  6. How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 6How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 6
    Enter a new password. This will become your user's master password, so be sure to remember your change.
  7. How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 7How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 7
    Click Save. After clicking save, nothing major will happen. The password fields in the form will go blank. Just go ahead and proceed to the next step.
  8. How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 8How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 8
    Restart your Mac. When your Mac boots, you should be able to log in to the user you forgot the password for.
Method 2 of 2:

Resetting Password on a Mac running OS X 10.3 – 10.6

  1. How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 9How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 9
    Put your OS installation disk in your Mac's CD drive.
    1. Do this while the computer is on.
  2. How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 10How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 10
    Restart your Mac. When your Mac begins its start-up process, hold down the "C" key.
  3. How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 11How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 11
    Select your language.
  4. How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 12How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 12
    Open the password reset tool.
    1. For 10.6 or later, click "Utilities" in the menu and select "Password Reset".
    2. For 10.4 or later, click "Utilities" in the menu and select "Reset Password".
    3. For 10.3, click "Installer" in the menu and select "Reset Password".
  5. How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 13How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 13
    Select your computer's hard drive.
  6. How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 14How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 14
    Choose a user to reset.
  7. How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 15How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 15
    Enter a new password.
  8. How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 16How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 16
    Click Save.
  9. How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 17How to Reset Any User's Password on a Mac Picture 17
    Restart your Mac and your password will be reset.
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