Eliminating Superuser on a Mac Mini

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Eliminating Superuser on a Mac Mini

I purchased a used Mac Mini (Intel-based), and it arrived with a "Superuser" account on it. I have tried instructions using Directory Utility to disable it, but it already showed up as disabled. I cycled it through enabling and then again disabling it, but Superuser still shows up on the Sign-On screen. Worse yet, in my Apple account device list, the Mac Mini shows as "Superuser's Mac Mini". How do I get rid of it ? Will a macOS Recovery get rid of it, or must I do a more complete Erase and reinstall macOS ?

Mac mini (2018)

Posted on Feb 18, 2025 06:03 AM

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Answer 1

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varjak paw

Level 10

182,602 points

Feb 18, 2025 07:09 AM in response to pablomiller

With any used Mac I would recommend a complete erase and reinstallation. There's no way of knowing what sort of "debris" might be left over from the previous owner. Such cruft might be harmless, but you can't be sure, so erasing and starting from scratch is usually a wise precaution. And given your issue, that to me indicates some potential corruption that is probably best addressed by reinstalling.

Regards.

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