How do I reset my user login (system) password?

Go here if you know your current user login password and just want to change it, otherwise read on!

If you’re using Lion (10.7) or later, you’ll need to make sure FileVault isn’t enabled on your computer and your computer is connected to the Internet. An Apple ID (used to buy items from the Mac App Store and iTunes) must be associated with your user account. See Apple's Associate Apple IDs with your user account for more information on Apple IDs. At the login window that appears when you start your computer, select your user and click the question mark in the password field. Then click the arrow in the dialog that appears. (If there is no arrow, the administrator of your Mac didn’t allow you to do this.) Enter your Apple ID and password, then click Reset Password.

If you’re using Snow Leopard (10.6) or earlier, you’ll need an OS X disc or the first gray recovery DVD that came with your Mac. Insert your Mac OS X System disc. Reboot your Mac, while holding down the C key. This forces your Mac to start up from the disc. After selecting a language, look in the Utilities menu and choose Reset Password. Select your hard disk, and create a new password for yourself. Then click Save, close the window, and quit the Installer to restart (don’t reinstall Mac OS X).

Now your keychain password and login password are different (when you first created your user account, they were the same). Your Mac will ask you for your old keychain password every time you open an application or website that uses stored passwords. Follow the instructions in the next question to reset your keychain password.

Published March 24, 2009 12:00 PM
Last modified on November 25, 2011 1:15 PM