MacOS – Need an OSX cd to reset admin password

macospassword

Issue – father in-law has alzheimers (early but impacting)
Wants files from Apple laptop and can't remember password(s)
Shop who set it up for him wants $$$s to unlock and reset and I said what a lot of BS, but they didn't supply an OS disk with the machine so can I (or he if there is something he can do) get an OS disk to reset the admin password?
PS. This is a first time foray for me into the world of Apples – he wants the "family tree" files…..
Any ideas – inbetween times we are scouring bits of paper with notes and old passwords etc…..
D.

Best Answer

Although the bmike's answer will probably work, I suggest to try something more leightweight first. This article describes the procedure:

  1. Boot your Mac's Recovery Partition by pressing cmd+r at startup
  2. Go to Utilities > Terminal
  3. Enter resetpassword
  4. In the GUI select the disk and user and enter a new password.
  5. Press Save. (Reset of home directory should not be necessary)

Reset Password Tool

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