Apple has more and more made it hard to mess with macOS system data file . That ’s true whether you intentionally desire to extend macOS ’s functionality or if a malicious political party is trying to install and activate a virus .
However , many system components and all Apple and third - company apps rely on taste and other files to store your custom configurations , cache for work in progress , and other data point . If those file cabinet corrupt , macOS may be dead fine , but you ca n’t get anything done in an app or your account .
Once you ’ve run throughtroubleshooting your Macwithin your account that does n’t seem to improve topic , the next giving leap before reinstalling macOS is to set up a unused macOS user account . From this account , you could examine computer hardware , like your Wi - Fi or ethernet arranger ; add together pressman and scanner ; or run third - party software system that keeps crashing on launch .
Because a fresh account typically contains nothing that would already be vitiate , you may set apart whether a job is in your everyday user account or a organization - wide issue – maybe even ironware related .
How to create a new macOS user account
Here ’s how to mark up a fresh , new user score in Ventura :
Here ’s how to set up a refreshed , new substance abuser account in Monterey and earlier versions of macOS :
Then , after those first three step in any version of macOS :
When making the account , what form should it be ?
After the account is created , you could lumber into it to see if your problem persist . For instance , if you ca n’t get a Wi - Fi adapter to show up in your regular report , this new one should have a brisk solidification of adapters that represent all the ironware your Mac recognizes . It should pull those into the System Preferences > connection dose ( Monterey or early ) or System preferences > connection view ( Ventura ) . If Wi - Fi does n’t show up as an adapter in the list , it ’s likely a ironware problem , though reinstalling macOS is the next step before a repair shop just in case .
How to delete a macOS user account
When you ’ve debugged your problem , you’re able to get rid of the story . You must be logged in using an Administrator account statement to do this . ( Warning!These steps are irreversible . prefer “ Do n’t change the home folder ” to hold it . )
In Monterey in step 3 above , click the – sign at the bottom - forget quoin , select “ erase the household folder , ” clickDelete User , and confirm .
In Ventura , go toSystem options > Users & Groups , sink in the i info release next to the account , clickDelete Account , enter your executive password , and clickUnlock . Now prime “ Delete the menage leaflet , ” clickDelete bill , and confirm .
Ask Mac 911
We ’ve compose a lean of the questions we get asked most frequently , along with answers and links to columns : take our super FAQ to see if your question is covered . If not , we ’re always looking for new problems to clear ! Email yours tomac911@macworld.com , including projection screen captures as appropriate and whether you require your full name used . Not every head will be answered , we do n’t reply to e-mail , and we can not provide direct troubleshooting advice .
