Setting up a seconf (non-admin) account

[rma2110]

I set up my Macbook with an account (admin) when I first got it and have been using that admin account for everything ever since. I know, bad computing habit that I've been guily of for years. I've always used admin accounts.

I have my e-mail, iChat, iTunes, and browser favorites on this account. I don't want to lose that. Would it be possile to set up a second admin account and revoke admin privelages on this account?

In other words, is it possible to fix this without messing up all the privelages? Next time, I'll be sure to set up an admin account first and my own second.

[fangpyre]

I'm assuming your current account isn't called admin.
If so:
- go to system preferences > accounts
- setup a new administrator account.
- log out of your current account and into the new one.
- remove administrative privileges on the old one.

Keep in mind that this is generally a good thing to do, but it isn't as important as on Windows.
Each process is activated on its own, with its own privileges, and will require authentication even if you are logged in as an admin.

Of course this isn't true if you are logged in as sa in terminal.

[rma2110]

Thank you, Fangpyre.

Seems easy enough:

Create and admin account (my current account is named after me), then revoke the admin privileges on my account.

The Mac is kind enough to ask for the password before making any drastic changes. Since I am the only one using this laptop, the risk is pretty low. Hmmmmm. Keep as is, or change. Something to ponder.

Do I just downgrade my account into a standard user?

[fangpyre]

Originally Posted by rma2110

Thank you, Fangpyre.

Seems easy enough:

Create and admin account (my current account is named after me), then revoke the admin privileges on my account.

The Mac is kind enough to ask for the password before making any drastic changes. Since I am the only one using this laptop, the risk is pretty low. Hmmmmm. Keep as is, or change. Something to ponder.

Do I just downgrade my account into a standard user?

To be honest I just have one account.

All you have to do is uncheck the "Allow user to administer this computer".
Just make sure you are logged off that account.