In the macOS environment, managing user accounts is a critical task for system administrators. Modifying user accounts can include changing user details, permissions, and even deleting accounts when necessary. This article will guide you through the process of modifying user accounts on macOS using both the graphical user interface (GUI) and the command line interface (CLI). Understanding how to effectively manage user accounts ensures that your system remains secure and that users have the appropriate level of access.

Examples:

Using System Preferences (GUI)

1. Open System Preferences:

   • Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen.
   • Select "System Preferences" from the drop-down menu.

2. Access Users & Groups:

   • In the System Preferences window, click on "Users & Groups".

3. Modify User Account:

   • Click the lock icon in the bottom-left corner and enter your administrator password to make changes.
   • Select the user account you want to modify from the list on the left.
   • Make the necessary changes, such as changing the user’s full name, account type (Standard or Administrator), or password.
   • Click the lock icon again to save changes and prevent further modifications.

Using Terminal (CLI)

For more advanced users, the Terminal provides a powerful way to modify user accounts. Below are some common commands used to manage user accounts.

1. List User Accounts:

   dscl . list /Users

   This command lists all user accounts on the system.

2. Change User Password:

   sudo dscl . -passwd /Users/username newpassword

   Replace username with the actual username and newpassword with the new password you want to set.

3. Change User Full Name:

   sudo dscl . -change /Users/username RealName "Old Full Name" "New Full Name"

   Replace username, Old Full Name, and New Full Name with the appropriate values.

4. Add User to a Group:

   sudo dscl . -append /Groups/groupname GroupMembership username

   Replace groupname with the group you want to add the user to and username with the user’s name.

5. Delete a User Account:

   sudo dscl . -delete /Users/username

   Replace username with the user account you want to delete.

These commands provide a robust way to manage user accounts directly from the command line, offering more flexibility and control compared to the GUI.