How to delete 'Share Only Folder' user account?

Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Messages
437
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Hi,

As shown in the picture, how do I delete the 'House File Sharing' account? I have tried command + delete and double tap but to no success.

Screen Shot 2014-05-17 at 11.00.01 pm.png
 

bobtomay

,
Retired Staff
Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
26,561
Reaction score
677
Points
113
Location
Texas, where else?
Your Mac's Specs
15" MBP '06 2.33 C2D 4GB 10.7; 13" MBA '14 1.8 i7 8GB 10.11; 21" iMac '13 2.9 i5 8GB 10.11; 6S
A user account is deleted from the same place it was created, the 'Users & Groups' preference pane - not from the 'Sharing' preference pane.
 
OP
S
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Messages
437
Reaction score
3
Points
18
I went into system preferences -> Users & Groups but can only see 1) Admin User account and 2) Guest User account. I do not see 'House File Sharing' user account that I was expecting.
 

bobtomay

,
Retired Staff
Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
26,561
Reaction score
677
Points
113
Location
Texas, where else?
Your Mac's Specs
15" MBP '06 2.33 C2D 4GB 10.7; 13" MBA '14 1.8 i7 8GB 10.11; 21" iMac '13 2.9 i5 8GB 10.11; 6S
Then it is not a "user account".

If it is only a shared folder, go back to the screen prior to that one, which would be where you added the folder to share - highlight it in the 'Shared' box and click the - button below.
 
OP
S
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Messages
437
Reaction score
3
Points
18
How to Delete Windows File Sharing Account on Mac?

Hi,

1. I went into System Preferences then Users and Groups

2. Unlocked the padlock by typing my password in

3. Clicked the + button so that I can add another user account

4. In the top field- I selected 'Sharing Only' and filled out the rest of the fields (account name, password) accordingly

5. In effect, this has created a new user account as shown in one the attached photo. I created two accounts which I named 1) Home File Sharing and 2) Testing Echo.

I want to get rid of these accounts.

I have tried command + delete and also tried 'EasyFind' app to search for it and delete but to no success. Not to suck up to the person who provides me a solution for this but whoever can help is beyond 'Genius' because I have brought it into Genius Bar but they had no knowledge on how to do it.

Screen Shot 2014-05-24 at 4.36.16 pm.png

Screen Shot 2014-05-24 at 4.37.01 pm.png
 
Last edited:

bobtomay

,
Retired Staff
Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
26,561
Reaction score
677
Points
113
Location
Texas, where else?
Your Mac's Specs
15" MBP '06 2.33 C2D 4GB 10.7; 13" MBA '14 1.8 i7 8GB 10.11; 21" iMac '13 2.9 i5 8GB 10.11; 6S
Already provided the answer the first time you asked the question - here.

Furthermore, once it's been deleted on the previous screen, it's deleted. Can't answer why it still appears on that screen - bug in the software - maybe you can report it to Apple.
 
Last edited:
OP
S
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Messages
437
Reaction score
3
Points
18
From my interpretations

Go back to the 'User and Groups' in systems preference

Highlight it in the shared box? Where's the shared box?

Or do you mean 'Sharing' in systems preference?

Are we talking about the same thing? I want to completely delete the 'House File Sharing' and 'Testing Echo' folder. Not just uncheck it from a box
 
Last edited:
OP
S
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Messages
437
Reaction score
3
Points
18
It could be a bug, or it could be a limitation of the OS.... or it could be me not doing something correctly. Then again, two of the reps at Genius Bar did not know how to delete the folder, or whatever you may call them. There's no options to delete it. It's strange.

Anyone else is welcomed to try it. Ie. Add a sharing only account/folder and see if you can delete it. It doesn't cause any problems to the computer....it's just annoying.
 

bobtomay

,
Retired Staff
Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
26,561
Reaction score
677
Points
113
Location
Texas, where else?
Your Mac's Specs
15" MBP '06 2.33 C2D 4GB 10.7; 13" MBA '14 1.8 i7 8GB 10.11; 21" iMac '13 2.9 i5 8GB 10.11; 6S
Don't do this if this is an actual user account created in Users & Groups

Only try it if the Hung account was also created in the Sharing preference.

Try opening Terminal - copy/paste the following:

Code:
edit: deleted before someone else doesn't read the above and does this

press enter
then type your account password - you will not see it being typed on the screen

see if it deletes that account
it won't work on the other 2
 
Last edited:
OP
S
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Messages
437
Reaction score
3
Points
18
I'm now on my brother's PC

I cant even log back onto my account

My user account is deleted. Please help.

I can only log into the Guest account. I hope that didn't permanently erase my user account. I have so many files saved on there. I did not back up my files
 
Last edited:
OP
S
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Messages
437
Reaction score
3
Points
18
K, guess I didnt follow instructions properly. Is there a way around this??

Does Apple have 24 hour phone support?
 

bobtomay

,
Retired Staff
Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
26,561
Reaction score
677
Points
113
Location
Texas, where else?
Your Mac's Specs
15" MBP '06 2.33 C2D 4GB 10.7; 13" MBA '14 1.8 i7 8GB 10.11; 21" iMac '13 2.9 i5 8GB 10.11; 6S
Ok, here you go...

Open Finder - go to System / Library / Core Services / Directory Utility and open that app

Click on the "Directory Editor" option at the top of the window

In the 'Viewing' drop down - top left - make sure you have selected 'Users'

Go through the list - highlight the 'House File Sharing' account

click on the minus button below


And don't create any more user accounts in the Sharing pref pane...
 
OP
S
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Messages
437
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Thanks for the solution to my first question....

Is there a way to resolve the second problem? :/

Dreaded question but I probably have no other option than to restore to factory default right? In other words, I cant restore my User account?
If so, does this have any implications on the re-install?
 
Last edited:

bobtomay

,
Retired Staff
Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
26,561
Reaction score
677
Points
113
Location
Texas, where else?
Your Mac's Specs
15" MBP '06 2.33 C2D 4GB 10.7; 13" MBA '14 1.8 i7 8GB 10.11; 21" iMac '13 2.9 i5 8GB 10.11; 6S
I have never deleted a user account - and no backup at all - no Time Machine backup?
 
OP
S
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Messages
437
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Unfortunately..no

Or maybe when I re-install OSX it may give me an option to restore that user account?


Or...I guess...reboot my computer and press the command and R?
 
Last edited:
OP
S
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Messages
437
Reaction score
3
Points
18
I'm actually re-installing Mavericks now.
The strange thing is: I have a 256 GB Macbook. However, upon re-installing it says I have only 90GB FREE. I'm hoping that the files are still there when it 'reinstalls'
 
OP
S
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Messages
437
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Darn...after I reinstalled it, there is only the GUEST user account. It did not give me the option to create my own account

Although when I go into my guest account, I can find my old 'Hung' user account folder encompassing movies, pictures, music etc. But when I click on it, it says I do not have access to it
 
Last edited:
OP
S
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Messages
437
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Hm...

So the link that you provided, it's not to fix the existing problem but a preventative measure in the future? I'm hoping it's the former
 

bobtomay

,
Retired Staff
Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
26,561
Reaction score
677
Points
113
Location
Texas, where else?
Your Mac's Specs
15" MBP '06 2.33 C2D 4GB 10.7; 13" MBA '14 1.8 i7 8GB 10.11; 21" iMac '13 2.9 i5 8GB 10.11; 6S
It is to create an admin account, which at the current time you do not have on your computer in such a way as to not lose any data. With the admin account you'll be able to access the rest of the data on the drive that can't be done via the guest account.
 

Shop Amazon


Shop for your Apple, Mac, iPhone and other computer products on Amazon.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
Top